Although the skateboard's been around for a while, recent modifications to traditional designs are targeting skateboards for an older, wealthier demographic.
Conor Dougherty reports on the newest trend in multi-modal commuting: skateboards. "Here in Silicon Valley, inventors are tinkering with a revolutionary transportation technology. It's called a skateboard," reports Dougherty with tongue—at least a little bit—in cheek.
"Witness a sampling of new electric skateboards and skateboard-like contraptions: There's the Boosted board, whose feisty motor can rocket up hills. Also the ZBoard, which is slower and wider but has big fat wheels to plow over pebbles and debris. Then there are oddballs like the Onewheel, a "self-balancing electric skateboard" that looks like a teeter-totter, works like a Segway and isn't really a skateboard."
But the new era of skateboarding isn't designed for your typical teen in a Ramones t-shirt: "None of this stuff is aimed at what you might call real skateboarders. Instead it is for the growing number of urban professionals who don't want to drive to work."
FULL STORY: No Longer for Punks, Skateboards Cater to Yuppie Commuters
Will Millennials Remake Suburbs in Their Image?
The "hipsterification" of cities is a well-known phenomenon. But as the millennial generation ages and settles down, will they import that same cultural ethos to locations more suburban?
What Millennials Want: A Multi-Modal City
A recent study finds evidence of an overwhelming desire by Millennials to live multi-modal, car-lite lifestyles. They're even prepared to move to find what they want.
Hipsters Flee as Invasion of the Baby Boomers Picks Up Speed
In the hip neighborhoods of Brooklyn, Seattle, and Denver, a silver tsunami is joining, and often forcing out, tattooed and mustachioed Millennials, as retiring Baby Boomers increasingly embrace urban living.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.
Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.
Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont