What are Small Wheels?
Small wheel users are those travelling by skateboard, roller skates, in-line skates and scooters. Small wheel users are usually restricted to hard-surface pathways, sidewalks and roads. Other small wheel users may include those in wheelchairs, using walkers, wagons or strollers. In some cases, these users can also manoeuvre on limestone or finely crushed gravel paths or well-mowed trails.
Considerations
1. Protect yourself from injury.
Wear protective gear, including a bicycle helmet, wrist guards, gloves, knee and elbow pads and protective clothing (long sleeves and pants).
2. Skate and ride where it's safe.
Skate or ride on dry surfaces and under good weather conditions. Skate or ride on the right side of paths and trails.
3. Watch out for what's around you.
Stay away from water, oil or debris or uneven or broken pavement. Always yield to pedestrians. Be careful near stairs and steps.
Details
Inline skating
If you’re going to skate for pleasure or fitness, recreational skates will be the right choice. Designed to meet a variety of needs, recreational skates are both durable and comfortable. Many feature a multiple closure system that uses buckles and laces, or a combination of the two. You’ll also find that they have a higher cuff which offers additional ankle support. For convenience, the liner and foam padded tongue can be removed.
The hardness of a wheel can range from 74A, which is a fairly soft wheel, to 101A, which is a substantially harder wheel. Hardness affects performance, durability, traction, and shock absorption. While hard wheels last longer, they don’t provide a very smooth ride, and they also don’t offer much traction. The opposite is true for soft wheels. Wheel size affects how fast the wheel rolls. Larger wheels are faster than small wheels, but they don’t offer much stability. The width of the wheel affects traction, stability, and speed.
Protective Equipment
- All skaters should wear a properly fitted helmet every time they skate.
- Use knee and elbow pads and wrist guards.
- If skating at night, wear a white light visible for at least 500 feet in front of you, and a red light visible for at least 600 feet behind you. Lighting or reflective material on clothing and skates, visible from each side, is strongly recommended.
Safety Suggestions
- Always yield to pedestrians.
- Never use a vehicle or bicycle to pull a skater.
- Never weave in and out of traffic or parked cars.
- Skate on the right side of roads or pathways.
- Always skate in the direction of traffic.
- Pass to the left, announcing your presence or use a skate bell.
- Obey all traffic and bicycle regulations.
- When skating with others, skate single file.
- Carry tools for emergency repairs.
- Do not use the sidewalks within the downtown area. Use extreme caution and skate at walking the city.
- Anticipate opening car doors.
- Do not use earphones, cellular phones or other devices that may distract your attention from your surroundings.
- Maintain your wheels, bearings and brakes in proper condition.
- Last but not least, don’t forget your helmet, kneepads, and elbow pads before you take off.
(adapted from http://www.academy.com/index.php?page=content&target=sports_tips/inline_skating/inline_basic and http://www.portlandonline.com/TRANSPORTATION/index.cfm?c=dehias)
Skateboarding
Skateboarding is performed by 
an increasingly large portion of our population both as a means of transportation, and for performing tricks or stunts. Depending on what you are using the skateboard for there are a number of options that best fit what you require, talk to a skateboard specialist retailer or the Skateboard Coalition of Manitoba to help.
There are a large number of places to legally and safely* skateboard in Manitoba, skateparks are starting to pop up everywhere! Visit www.winnipegskateparks.com for a full listing of all skateparks in the Winnipeg Area, outside of this area most communities have, or are looking at installing, a small community sized skatepark.
*skateboarding is inherently a slightly more dangerous activity due to the fact that it is being done on concrete. It is always recommended to skate within one's abilities and to wear an appropriate level of protection at all times.
Unfortunately, many of cities and towns have by-laws prohibiting skateboarding in certain areas; this generally impedes using a skateboard as a form of transportation. The Skateboard Coalition of Manitoba www.skateboardcoalition.mb.ca is working with these communities to change this and is a resource to use to find out where skateboarding is, and isn’t allowed.
Scootering
Children are the most common users of scooters and should be trained and able to stop quickly. They should be equipped with safety equipment such as a helmet, knee and elbow pads.
Check Out
From WiseGeek - Suggestions if you are considering the purchase of in-line skates
