Week three. I am slowly starting to find the who’s who and what’s what of Jasper.

As I head out of the Fitzhugh office on Connaught Dr. and home for lunch, long board in hand, I proceed to walk out onto the street between parked cars, ready to head home for a quick bite.

Not 10 seconds go by before I am stopped by two of Jasper’s polite by-law officers. 

Assuming correct that I am new to town, they explain that there is no biking or skateboarding on the business side of Connaught Dr. or Patricia St. at all.

As they explain this to me, they show me a street pole where there are signs posted. Conveniently, they can’t find the sign, and tell me it is supposed to be there.

I can sympathize with business owners and town officials who do not want bikers and skateboarders flying down the sidewalks or grinding public benches and curbs while tourists window-shop and dine at some of the town’s fine restaurants and pubs.

I do, however, think that in this day and age, and considering the location of living in a national park, alternative modes of transportation other than cars should be encouraged.

I do own a car, but I don’t own a bike. So I choose to take my long board to work when I can. Why drive in a town like this?

So skateboarding is my alternative means of transportation, and for the short summer we have, I plan on getting the most out of it, as I’m sure others are doing the same with their bikes and skateboards.

With the issues of vehicle/wildlife encounters, a world-wide concern for vehicle emissions, high gas prices and general road traffic, every person using other means of transportation is not only helping these problems, but also leading by example for others.

Coming from Banff and Canmore, one of the biggest tourist destinations in Canada, and one of the most environmentally conscious towns respectively, I am not used to anti-skateboarding by-laws, as they welcome anyone who isn’t driving a vehicle.

These thoughts crossed my mind as I stood there, giving my name and contact information to the officers. After explaining that I am working at the newspaper, they were quick to mention that this was simply my first warning. Although I wonder if the average, non-reporter skateboarder would have been so lucky.

After thanking me for listening, I crossed the road to the ‘bike path’ area of the sidewalk on the east side of the road and continued home for lunch, still feeling surprised about the warning.

But, to the by-law officer’s credit, they now have one less person skateboarding on the west side of Connaught. I have learned my lesson, and one more thing about living in this town. And now, as lunch time approaches and the sun is finally shinning, I am going to head out for lunch, on the east side of Connaught.