In 2002 there were about 16 million skateboarders and an estimated 400
public skate parks.  That number is up from 11.5 million skaters in 2000. 
(Incidentally there were only 9 million little league baseball players in
the U.S. yet most cities with multiple baseball fields had yet to build
skate parks.

At a recent national convention of parks and recreation officials, the topic
most were eager to discuss was skate parks and how to get one.

Skateboarding is now the third largest participant sport in the U.S.

Skateboards are less dangerous than bicycles.  Bicycles are more dangerous
than any other consumer product other than cars.

The most serious skateboarding injuries involve a car.  Skate parks
eliminate this risk by keeping the skateboarders off the road.

According to data gathered by the National Safety Counsel, skateboarding has
a lower percentage of injuries than baseball, basketball and football.

One-half of all skateboard injuries are due to irregular riding surfaces. 
This includes cracks, sticks and rocks.

Physicians identify skateboarding as a healthy activity that promotes
athleticism.