There’s growing pressure on B.C. teenagers to develop a culture of safety around the street sport of longboarding after two boys were killed on Vancouver Island this month.
The Vancouver Island Health Authority is advocating for regulations to make the sport safer.
Monday night, 17-year-old Ryan Wallace-Tarry was killed when he collided head on with a pick-up truck near Nanaimo.
“There are no streetlights in the area, very dimly lit and the deceased had dark clothing on,” said Cst. Gary O’Brien.
Just weeks before, 16-year-old Ciaran Martin lost his life when he fell off his longboard into oncoming traffic in Comox.
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As the roadside memorials grow for the two boys, so are calls for tougher regulations.
“The question is what sort of intelligent policy can we bring into play so that we don’t see tragedies,” said Dr. Richard Stanwick, VIHA chief medical health officer.
Advocates suggest reflective gear, lights and helmets should be made mandatory for all longboarders.
However until new regulations can be put in place, the health authorities are urging longboarders to recognize the risks and protect themselves.
“Recognize that if you’re going to get into an encounter with a motor vehicle, you’re likely going to be the loser,” Stanwick said.
With files from Kylie Stanton
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