Skatestopper Explained

Skatestoppers are skate-deterrent or anti-skate devices placed on urban terrain features such as benches and handrails to discourage skateboarders grinding on the surfaces where they have been installed;^[1] they are a form of hostile architecture.^[1]

The name Skatestopper is a registered trademark of Intellicept of El Cajon, California,^[2] but in some skateboarding circles it has become a genericized term referring to any anti-skate device.^[3]

Design

The most basic design is an L-shaped bracket affixed at intervals along the grind-able structure. Early designs were made from nylon while more recent designs have been made from aluminum. At the same time more ornamental versions have been produced. The devices have been targeted for removal by skateboarders resulting in attempts to make them tamper resistant.^[4]

Criticism

Some have viewed skatestoppers as just another obstacle to be overcome and the presence of skatestoppers actually encourages them to stay in the location longer.^[5]

Notes and References

1. (1) News: Abbate . Vince . June 28, 2007 . The trucks stop here . Chico News & Review . Chici Community publishing, INC. December 30, 2013. .
   (2) Heywood . Will . 2011 . Navigating the New Fortress . Urban Action . Department of Urban Studies and Planning at San Francisco State University . 19–33. https://web.archive.org/web/20140427155805/https://sites7.sfsu.edu/sites/sites7.sfsu.edu.dusp/files/UrbanAction_2011_0.pdf. April 27, 2014.
   (3) Web site: Robert. Rosenberger. June 19, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140701135734/http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/06/how-cities-use-design-to-drive-homeless-people-away/373067/. July 1, 2014. How Cities Use Design to Drive Homeless People Away: Saying "you're not welcome here"—with spikes. The Atlantic. The Atlantic Monthly Group. April 23, 2017. An example of an everyday technology that’s used to forbid certain activities is “skateboard deterrents,” that is, those little studs added to handrails and ledges. These devices, sometimes also called “skatestoppers” or “pig ears,” prevent skateboarders from performing sliding—or “grinding”—tricks across horizontal edges. A small skateboard deterrence industry has developed, with vendors with names like “stopagrind.com” and “grindtoahault.com.”.
   (4) Web site: Kelly. John. It's a grind: The birth of those metal ledge guards designed to deter skateboarders. Local. May 23, 2020. The Washington Post. June 3, 2020. .
2. Web site: Apply for a Trademark. Search a Trademark. trademarkia.com. 6 February 2018. en.
3. Web site: Inclusive Cities Observatory, Skateboarding in Tacoma: Youth Reclaim Public Space through Dialogue and Cooperative Planning. UCLG Committee on Social, Inclusion, Participatory Democracy and Human Rights. 19 April 2016. page 4: "...removal of skate stoppers on a popular ledge..." ("skate stoppers" written without capitals and as two words)
4. News: Dougherty . Conor . December 5, 2003. Success is a mixed blessing for San Diegan whose invention has pushed boards off the curb . The San Diego Union-Tribune . Copley Press . December 30, 2013 .
5. News: Bristol skateboarders take on 'skatestopper' defensive architecture. Mersom. Daryl. 2015-10-07. The Guardian. 2017-11-03. en-GB. 0261-3077.