Micro Mobility Skateboarding in India – A Story, A Legacy, and a Skatepark!

Micro-mobility refers to lightweight modes of transportation that enable individuals to travel short distances. Examples of micro-mobility options include bicycles, e-bikes (both docked and dockless), e-scooters (both docked and dockless), roller skates, tricycles, mobility scooters, unicycles, golf carts, kick scooters, one-wheels, quadracycles, wheelchairs, segways, personal transporters, and skateboards. These modes are commonly used in urban areas for commuting over shorter distances.

Skateboarding, as a micro-mobility mode, has gained popularity among teenagers, college students, and adults in various countries such as the USA, Japan, England, Brazil, Germany, Australia, China, Denmark, and others. With an average speed of 10-20 km/h, skateboarding serves as a recreational sport that helps reduce stress while improving coordination and balance. Skateparks not only foster community bonding but also have a positive impact on local businesses by utilizing unused spaces. Notably, skateboarding has even been included as an Olympic sport since 2021.

In our country, skateboarding was once considered a novelty, and as children, we had limited access to skateboards. However, over the past 15 years, skateboards have become readily available in the Indian market, sold in both toy shops and sports stores. Electric skateboards are now also accessible. The price of a skateboard in India ranges from as low as Rs 500/- to Rs 50,000/-, depending on the quality and purpose. General-use skateboards are cheaper than those used for professional sports. Electric skateboards may have an average price of around Rs 35,000/- or even exceed Rs 100,000/-. Currently, our country does not have dedicated right-of-ways for skateboards. While we are still working on understanding the need for separate pedestrian and bicycle pathways, incorporating skateboards into our streets remains a long-term goal. However, within car-free zones such as markets, universities, residential complexes, parks, and open spaces where motorized traffic is restricted, skateboards can be safely utilized.

Skateboard wheels have undergone significant changes since the early 1900s. Initially, children would attach roller skate wheels to a wooden plank. The early skateboard wheels, made of steel, did not provide a comfortable ride or sufficient traction. It was not until the 1970s, when Frank Nasworthy introduced the first polyurethane skateboard wheels, that a major breakthrough occurred. The credit for the first skateboard trick, known as an "ollie," goes to Alan Gelfand, who was able to get his board into the air in a bowl without touching it. Rodney Mullen later adapted this trick to street skateboarding, astonishing people with his "flatland ollie." This paved the way for the rise of street skateboarding. Elissa Steamer became the first official female professional skater. While skateboarding used to be male-dominated in the 1950s, approximately 24% of commuters now attributed to females.

The fastest recorded speed on a skateboard was achieved by Kyle Wester, reaching an astounding 143.89 km/h. This speed would surpass the limit on most freeways in the US, resulting in a fine.

Skateboarding is one of the most popular "sports" in the US, with approximately 6.4 million skateboarders in the country and 85 million worldwide as of 2016. The majority of skateboarders are under the age of 18, and this number is expected to grow in the coming years as the industry continues to expand.

The first skatepark, Surf City, was opened in Tucson, Arizona, in 1965. The GMP Skatepark in Guangzhou, China, spans an impressive 16,900 square meters. There are estimated to be over 3,500 skateparks worldwide, with over 500 located in the US alone.

Is skateboarding a dangerous sport? Not at all. In fact, statistics from US hospitals show that more people playing basketball or cycling sustain injuries compared to skateboarders.

Netflix recently released a movie titled "Skater Girl," which tells the story of a 16-year-old girl from Rajasthan and her determination to pursue skateboarding. 

The plot revolves around her encounter with a British-Indian woman, leading them to create a skatepark in the village of Khempur, located 50 kilometers from Udaipur city. What makes this story remarkable is that the movie crew built a set in Khempur and later donated the skatepark to the locals, allowing them to pursue their passion for skateboarding.

The concept of leaving behind the skatepark as a legacy was conceived by filmmaker Manjari Makijany, the daughter of Mac Mohan, known for his role as Sambha in the movie Sholay.

Spanning across 14,500 square feet, the Desert Dolphin skatepark in Khempur Village is not only a tourist attraction but also a place where local children can learn and practice skateboarding. Families from nearby towns visit on weekends to let their kids engage in the sport.

The movie was made to create a social change which portrays social inclusion of gender, urban sports, micro-mobility, and community building.

Manjari's family has established "The Living Grace Foundation," a trust that supports children by providing skateboards, training, and safety equipment free of charge. The park, built by 100 Ramps, a skate park construction company based in Bengaluru, is one of India's largest and most advanced skateparks.

Thanks to the initiative, four village children have gone on to represent Rajasthan in the National Skateboarding Championship held in Chandigarh. The legacy left behind by the movie is not only changing the lives of local children by introducing them to an alternative sport but also shaping their future.