If you google ‘cities where skateboarding is banned’ a load of debatable posts come up. Should skating be banned in public places? There are all sorts of opinions on this question from skaters, pedestrians and authorities; Philadelphia introduces a ban on skating public sculptures, Laguna Beach set to ban downhill skating, police crackdown in Barcelona… Skating isn’t always freedom of movement and sometimes it’s impossible to know where or where not to skate. But here are 4 cities where authorities welcome skateboarders with open space, allowing them to roam free and even go so far as to encourage the activity. Let’s go here…

1) Portland, USA

Portland is one of the few cities to recognize skateboarding as a legitimate mode of transportation and give it the same legal rights as a bicycle. In 2000 the council made it legal to skate the streets, however skaters are confined to the road in downtown areas (and no breaking the speed limit!). The city has even designated ‘preferred skate routes’ and provides skaters with a handy map to cruise around with, keeping things organised.