We then gathered information from the children at Trombly.  We found that there was no clear pattern to those who follow safe rules and those who do not.  Some older children used safety equipment, some didn't,  Most younger children didn't skate on the streets, but then some did. 

We invited Officer Loch, from Grosse Pointe Public Safety, to speak with us.  The students prepared for his visit by brainstorming possible questions to ask and learned what to do if someone asks a similar question as yours.  We wanted to find out how children and adults use in-line skates and what the rules are for skating in Grosse Pointe.  

We wrote State Representative Andrew Richner for any state laws regarding the use of in-line skates by the public.  He responded quickly and provided a lot of information about helmet use on bicycles, and guidelines for indoor skate arenas.  Through his letter, we found out that there is a local law about in-line skating, but currently there is no state law on in-line skating. 

We read and gathered information from newspapers and the Internet about in-line skating safety.

Once all of that was done, the students decided to communicate their ideas to the students of Trombly by writing informational paragraphs about things that children should know when in-line skating.  The students also created and hung posters in the halls of Trombly giving safety facts and information about safe in-line skating in Grosse Pointe.  

Read further to find the students' thoughts on in-line skating safety.

You should wear wrist guards, wrist guards are helpful because if you have a accident you will not break your wrist. But most of all because if you fall you will not hurt your wrist as much as you would if you didn't have wrist guards on. If I were you I would wear safety gear when I'm rollerblading. They are good for your wrist because they keep your wrist solid so you won't break or hurt your wrist.

In Line Skating In The Street
By Joe

It is illegal to in line skate in the street. If you do in line skate in the street you might see a police officer and they might tell you to go on the sidewalk. The more you in line skate in the street the more you get hurt. That is one reason why it is illegal to in line skate in the street. Also if there is a stop sign you have to stop or you will get a serious injury. You should in line skate on the sidewalk because cars aren't allowed on the sidewalk. If you in line skate in the street and you are not looking a car might be pulling out of there driveway and they might hit you. I think no one should in line skate in the street.

Don't Rollerblade by a Business
By Ian 2

A lot of people don't know that you shouldn't rollerblade by a business because if you get hurt it's their responsibility. Also they don't want you to rollerblade by a business because it's their private property. You can still rollerblade but rollerblade where there aren't any businesses. I think another thing is there are usualy people around the businesses and you might hit them. I think that they should put signs up that say, " No rollerblading in this area".

Adults Get Hurt More On Rollerblades
Pete

More adults get hurt rollerblading than children because they wear less safety gear. The older people get the less safety gear they seem to wear and that is not good. Adults wear less safety gear because they think they are more experienced. When adults wear less safety gear they get hurt more often than children do. I think adults should wear more safety gear even though they are more experienced.

In-Line Skating
by Stuart 

You should rollerblade on the sidewalk, not in the park. Because if you rollerblade in the park and you get hurt that is the owner's fault. If they kick you out. Don't just go into the street. That is legal. Then if you rollerblade to the sidewalk and get there safely you can rollerblade. You could rollerblade around the sidewalk to. If I were you I would always rollerblade on the sidewalk to stay safe.

Safety
Alex 

When you are In- line skating you should wear safety gear like elbow pads, knee pads, and the most important is a helmet. Everyone should wear safety gear. If you do not, than ask your parents if you could get some gear. Even my Mom and my Dad wears elbow pads, knee pads, and helmets.

Rollerblading Safety
Clark

Rollerblade on the sidewalk when you rollerblade. On the sidewalk you are safe. On the street you are not. The most injuries happen in the street. More adults rollerblade on the street. So more adults get hurt. People are still rollerblading on the street. I think that everyone should rollerblade on the sidewalk so everyone is safe from getting injured!

Inline Skating Information
by D. P.

The Inline Club of Boston said "From 1990-1996 thirty-five inline skaters died in crashes. All of the crashes were from head injuries. None of the skaters were wearing helmets. If the inline skaters were wearing helmets they would have gotten a whole lot less injured. Because helmets prevent eighty-five percent of less head damage and eighty-eighty percent of less brain damage. That's why if you go to a doctor and ask them "What is the most important piece of equipment for inline skating and bicycling?" There are most likely to say a helmet. That's why I always wear a helmet while rollerblading and bicycling.

Lots of people that I see in-line skate in the street. They might get hurt even more when they in-line skate in the street so you shouldn't. I have seen people who are not very safe because they are not wearing helmets. You should not in-line skate in the street because you will get more hurt. So you should in-line skate on the sidewalk so you won't get hurt.

You Should Wear Safety Gear When In-line Skating
by Elizabeth

You should wear safety gear when you go in-line skating because lots of kids in-line skating in the street. I think children should not in-line skate in the street. They should skate on the side walk. You should always have a helmet on when you skate.

Wear Safety Equipment
by Luke

Wear safety gear while rollerblading to keep from being seriously injured. One way to keep from being seriously injured is to not rollerblade in the street, it's also Illegal. Wear knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards and a helmet that fit to protect you when you fall. Try to rollerblade on the sidewalk and in your driveway to avoid being injured and to follow the law. I think the U.S.A. should come up with ways to prevent people from falling by making more safety gear and rollerblades that give you better balance.

In Line- Skating
By Peter

You should rollerblade on the sidewalk, because car aren't looking for you
when you are in the street. They are looking for other cars on the street. When you are rollerblading on the sidewalk look out for other people. So be courteous to the people on the sidewalk. Don't rollerblade in the street. That's where most injuries happens. The sidewalk is the safest place to rollerblade outside.

Rollerblading in Safe Places
By A. G.

Children like me sould rollerblade on the sidewalk or on driveways. Cars aren't looking for rollerbladers in the street and businesses don't let people rollerblade in their parking lots. If a person gets hurt the business would be responsible. So rollerblade on the sidewalk or on your driveway.

Inline Skating Information
Claire

It is illegal to rollerblade in the street in Grosse Pointe. Because there was no Michigan law, Grosse Pointe passed an ordinance about not rollerblading in the street. the reason for most accidents is motorists tuning onto a street and seeing a rollerblader and not being able top stop. If you do rollerblade in the street currently, try to start rollerblading on the sidewalk or driveway because of law. I would rollerblade on the sidewalk not the street.

Where To Ride When In line Skating Or Rollerblading
By Alexander

You should not rollerblade in the street. Because you could get hit by a car. Besides it is against the law to rollerblade in the street. Also if a policeman tells you to get out of the get out of the street you have to do it you should rollerblade in a driveway or sidewalk. Because it is safer than the street and it also is safer because car do not go on the sidewalk. If you rollerblade on the sidewalk, you will not get hit by a car or truck.

In Line Skating Safely
by Elliott

You should wear all the safety gear when rollerblading. If you don't, you could get hurt worse than with the safety gear on. Even though you can still get hurt with safety gear on, it absorbs most of the fall. Only some people rollerblade without all the safety gear on. I wish they always wore all the safety gear. That would be great if evryone did wear all the safety gear.

In Line Skating Safely
By Holly