Skate Law

16.70.410 Roller Skates and Skateboards.
Link to online version

(Replaced by Ordinance No. 175211; Amended by Ordinance Nos. 181483 and 182389, effective January 2, 2009.)

A. No person may use roller skates, including in-line skates, skateboards, scooters, or other similar devices powered exclusively by human power upon any sidewalk within the area bounded by and including SW Jefferson, Naito Parkway, NW Hoyt and 13th Avenue. The middle and bisecting sidewalks in the Park Blocks are considered sidewalks for the purposes of this subsection. The penalty for failing to follow the rules of this subsection shall be a maximum fine of $25.

B. No person may use roller skates, including in-line skates, skateboards, scooters, or other similar devices powered exclusively by human power upon any street, roadway or sidewalk on SW 5th or 6th Avenues between SW Lincoln and Burnside, and on NW 5th or 6th Avenues between Burnside and Union Station. The penalty for failing to follow the rules of this subsection shall be a maximum fine of $25.

C. All persons under 16 years of age shall wear protective headgear when using roller skates, including in-line skates, skateboards, scooters, or other similar devices powered exclusively by human power upon any street, sidewalk, or bridge. The penalty for failure to wear protective headgear as required in this subsection shall be a maximum fine of $25.

D. All persons using roller skates, including in-line skates, skateboards, scooters, or other similar devices powered exclusively by human power upon any street or sidewalk between the hours of sunset and sunrise must be equipped with and use lighting equipment that shows a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front of the device.

All persons using roller skates, including in-line skates, skateboards, scooters, or other similar devices powered exclusively by human power upon any street or sidewalk between the hours of sunset and sunrise must be equipped with and use lighting equipment that has a red reflector or lighting device or material of such size or characteristic and so mounted, carried or worn as to be visible from all distances up to 600 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlights on a motor vehicle.
The penalty for failing to follow the rules of this subsection shall be a maximum fine of $25.

E. Persons using roller skates, including in-line skates, skateboards, scooters, or other similar devices powered exclusively by human power upon any street, sidewalk or premises open to the public shall be subject to the provisions applicable to and shall have the same rights and duties as the driver of a bicycle as provided by the Oregon Vehicle Code, except when those provisions by their very nature can have no application. The penalty for failing to follow the rules of this subsection shall be a maximum fine of $25.

F. A copy of a citation issued for violation of this section by persons under 16 years of age shall be mailed to the parents or guardians of the cited person at their home address, if known.

G. The Portland Police Bureau shall monitor and maintain a record of injuries and deaths attributed to riders of roller skates, including in-line skates, a skateboard, or other similar device in the City of Portland and report their findings annually to City Council. The first report shall be made on or before October 1, 2001.

H. Before this ordinance takes effect, the Bureau of Transportation shall consult with the OMF Risk Management Division to minimize claims resulting from defects in City streets.

I. The Council directs Bureau of Transportation staff to meet with members of the Police Bureau’s traffic safety division to recommend and designate “preferred skating routes” in the downtown core area as well as throughout the rest of the City. Bureau of Transportation will report these recommendations back to Council by March 1, 2001. Signage and informational materials will be prepared for distribution by April 1, 2001.

Downtown Skate Map