Over the course of at least a month, I had the chance to speak to some people who regularly come to the skate park. Since I know many of them, it was easy asking them questions without making it seem like an interview.
Interviewee #1
Jablai, 18 - Singapore Police Force (NS)
Interviewee #1
Jablai, 18 - Singapore Police Force (NS)
Q: How often do you come here?
A: Before I started doing my National Service, I was here almost every day. But now, I can only come at most twice a week. Weekends mostly.
Q: The fact that pedestrians are allowed to walk across the skate park, what sort of problems does this bring?
A: I’ve seen pedestrians get their feet rolled over by skateboarders before. Some have been hit by drifted skateboards. Worst I saw was when a bmx rider crashed into a group of pedestrians. Needless to say, they all brought about unhappiness between both parties.
Q: Have you ever been confronted by pedestrian(s)?
A: A few times before. I just told them “if you they don’t wanna get hit, stay out of the park!”
Q: What do you think can be done to prevent pedestrians from walking across the skate park without affecting their convenience?
A: The skate park should be exclusively for skate park users only! No pedestrians crossing or whatever. I think the whole park should be closed up by fences.
*Jablai actually drew out for me the area where he thinks the fences should be.
Interviewee # 2
Jose, 17 - Fresh Secondary School Graduate
Q: How often do you come here?
A: Depends on my mood. But I skate here at least 4 times a week.
Q: The fact that pedestrians are allowed to walk across the skate park, what sort of problems does this bring?
A: A lot of problems. We have to keep a look out for them at all times, especially during the time when most office workers are going home. I don't understand why they don't want to use the safer way to the MRT station.
Q: Have you ever been confronted by pedestrian(s)?
A: Not confrontation really. It was more like 'angry look' at me sorta' thing.
*Jablai actually drew out for me the area where he thinks the fences should be.
Interviewee # 2
Jose, 17 - Fresh Secondary School Graduate
Q: How often do you come here?
A: Depends on my mood. But I skate here at least 4 times a week.
Q: The fact that pedestrians are allowed to walk across the skate park, what sort of problems does this bring?
A: A lot of problems. We have to keep a look out for them at all times, especially during the time when most office workers are going home. I don't understand why they don't want to use the safer way to the MRT station.
Q: Have you ever been confronted by pedestrian(s)?
A: Not confrontation really. It was more like 'angry look' at me sorta' thing.
Q: What do you think can be done to prevent pedestrians from walking across the skate park without affecting their convenience?
A: I think there should be a special pathway for them within the park's perimeter.
Interviewee #3
Muhd Idul, 18 - ITE Student
Q: How often do you come here?
A: Always. Sometimes I just come down to 'lepak.' *hang-out
A: I think there should be a special pathway for them within the park's perimeter.
Interviewee #3
Muhd Idul, 18 - ITE Student
Q: How often do you come here?
A: Always. Sometimes I just come down to 'lepak.' *hang-out
Q: The fact that pedestrians are allowed to walk across the skate park, what sort of problems does this bring?
A: Some pedestrians get hit and of course they get angry! As usual skaters or other skate park users reply by saying something like "you shouldn't even be walking here!" There have been a few times that pedestrians fought with skateboarders.
Q: Have you ever been confronted by pedestrian(s)?
A: So far never. I confronted a few of though. That was when they gave me that 'stare.'
Q: What do you think can be done to prevent pedestrians from walking across the skate park without affecting their convenience?
A: I think somebody asked me this question before. Fence the park, please!
Interviewee #4
Daryl, 22 - University Student
Q: How often do you come here?
A: Almost everyday.
Q: The fact that pedestrians are allowed to walk across the skate park, what sort of problems does this bring?
A: You accidentally hit pedestrians they get angry. We react and get angry too. Next thing you know there's already an argument between you and that person. You know it too bro, when we try to land a trick we often have to wait for pedestrians to cross. Annoying, isn't it?
Q: Have you ever been confronted by pedestrian(s)?
A: I lost count already! But I ended just saying sorry to them. It's not worth fight over for.
Q: What do you think can be done to prevent pedestrians from walking across the skate park without affecting their convenience?
A: Bigger warning signs placed a few meters before they enter the park. Fence? or perhaps, a special route for them in the park since this is the shortest cut from that side (Singtel building side).
Breakdown
I had many more conversations with other skate park users during that course. Many of them mentioned that 'yes' it is in fact a problem that pedestrians are allowed cross the skate park. And it was also mentioned a lot of times that the problem is at its worst during the evening when workers are headed to the MRT Station or the nearest bus stop.
From the conversations I had with them, it is interesting to find out that they are actually more concerned about the safety of the pedestrians than theirs. I asked why and their replies were similar in nature. "We are used to falling and getting hurt, pedestrians aren't."
Most of them suggested: (in no particular order)
A: Some pedestrians get hit and of course they get angry! As usual skaters or other skate park users reply by saying something like "you shouldn't even be walking here!" There have been a few times that pedestrians fought with skateboarders.
Q: Have you ever been confronted by pedestrian(s)?
A: So far never. I confronted a few of though. That was when they gave me that 'stare.'
Q: What do you think can be done to prevent pedestrians from walking across the skate park without affecting their convenience?
A: I think somebody asked me this question before. Fence the park, please!
Interviewee #4
Daryl, 22 - University Student
Q: How often do you come here?
A: Almost everyday.
Q: The fact that pedestrians are allowed to walk across the skate park, what sort of problems does this bring?
A: You accidentally hit pedestrians they get angry. We react and get angry too. Next thing you know there's already an argument between you and that person. You know it too bro, when we try to land a trick we often have to wait for pedestrians to cross. Annoying, isn't it?
Q: Have you ever been confronted by pedestrian(s)?
A: I lost count already! But I ended just saying sorry to them. It's not worth fight over for.
Q: What do you think can be done to prevent pedestrians from walking across the skate park without affecting their convenience?
A: Bigger warning signs placed a few meters before they enter the park. Fence? or perhaps, a special route for them in the park since this is the shortest cut from that side (Singtel building side).
Breakdown
I had many more conversations with other skate park users during that course. Many of them mentioned that 'yes' it is in fact a problem that pedestrians are allowed cross the skate park. And it was also mentioned a lot of times that the problem is at its worst during the evening when workers are headed to the MRT Station or the nearest bus stop.
From the conversations I had with them, it is interesting to find out that they are actually more concerned about the safety of the pedestrians than theirs. I asked why and their replies were similar in nature. "We are used to falling and getting hurt, pedestrians aren't."
Most of them suggested: (in no particular order)
- Fencing up the skate park perimeter
- A designated pathway for pedestrians
- Big warning signs
Now I wonder. Can I actually incorporate these 3 things together?
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