I rollerblade in my neighborhood (Edgewater)at least twice a week and share the road with bicyclists, joggers, dogwalkers, and car drivers. If everyone does what they're supposed to do (pays attention, obeys leash laws, is considerate), I don't see why rollerblading would be any more dangerous than these other activities. It would be pointless to try to skate on the sidewalk, just as it would be pointless to try to get a good bicycle ride on the sidewalk. Its a shame that anything that has the word "skate" attached to it, automatically becomes illegal!

As a fellow rollerblader, I can attest that skating on sidewalks in most neighborhoods is not feasible. It’s actually more dangerous.
Sidewalks are often blocked by cars in driveways or by people (and their sometimes unfriendly dogs). It’s far more dangerous for us to be moving off & on the street unexpectedly to get around them, especially if there are cars parked on the street blocking the view, then it is for us to keep to the side of the road.
Besides, regular sidewalks can be too narrow and are often in disrepair, making it difficult to skate. And some bike paths have a groove down the center that catches the wheels and send you flying.
I’ve been skating on the streets in various neighborhoods for over 10 years and never had a problem. The exception to this, however, would be a main thoroughfare (45+mph). Then I’d say the risks are just too great for everyone.

Norfolk laws re. rollerblades (inline skates) and bicycles, and where you can/can't use them:

Sec. 25-632. Playing on streets and sidewalks; use of roller skates, roller blades, skateboards, toys or other devices on wheels or runners. (1) No person shall play on any street or highway, other than upon the sidewalk thereof if not otherwise prohibited. Except in such areas as may be specifically designated for that purpose by the city manager, no person shall use on a street or highway where play is prohibited roller skates, roller blades, skateboards, or toys or other devices on wheels or runners, except for bicycles, mopeds and motorcycles. (2) No person using roller skates, roller blades, a skateboard or toy or other device on wheels or runners shall attach the same or himself to any vehicle upon any roadway. (3) No person shall use roller skates, roller blades, or a skateboard on any sidewalk in the city if the general area of the sidewalk is conspicuously posted with signs indicating that their use is prohibited on that particular sidewalk. Any person using roller skates, roller blades, or a skateboard on a sidewalk shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian usin

We are overcrowded and bikes on the ride are hard enough to deal with. Having to move around them into another lane just to avoid hitting them. They have sidewalks all over the place, ride your bike and your blades on that. Then you will not risk the live of anyone having to move around you.

Government exists to protect our freedoms - not to take them away.

why comment on something you know nothing about....blades do have brakes

I am amazed at the ignorance I am seeing.

Inline Skates have brakes and those who take them off (for various reasons) use methods of braking that do not use the heel brake.

I saw nothing in the article about him not following the same laws as vehicles and bicycles. Many major cities allow them to act as either vehicles or pedestrians as the speed and safety allow.
If the city wishes to require the pedestrian only rule by requiring sidewalk only use, they may need to spend a lot of money to upgrade their sidewalks (probably also a good thing to do for the handicapped).

I saw nothing in the article about him creating congestion. I have skated in places like Miami and downtown Manhattan. No congestion created by the skaters. Actually, in Manhattan we were able to move in some places where the congestion caused by cars was the problem.

I skate on residential streets frequently and have never caused a problem with a car.

It's a good law. Last time I checked, roller blades don't have brakes.

With the traffic in near-gridlock, nothing should be allowed on any city street except cars, trucks and motorcycles. When the city councils bend over backwards for the do-gooders about bikes, skateboards and rollerblades...remember that the cars, trucks, etc. pay the taxes and fees needed to keep the roads open, not the other bull crap modes. Keep them off the streets!

The article states that "the law prohibits bicycles on sidewalks" does that include our children must also be on the streets?!