Rio Rancho, NM Public Conduct: Skateboarding Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Banned on
- major and collector streets
- Allowed on
- residential streets, crosswalks
- Covers
- skateboards, skates, coaster wagons
- Citation
- § 12-3-6
Summary
Riding a skateboard, roller skates, or coaster wagon on any major or collector street in Rio Rancho is banned except when crossing at a crosswalk, per City Code § 12-3-6.
No person upon roller skates, or riding in or by means of any coaster wagon, skateboard, toy vehicle, or similar device, shall go upon any major or collector street except while crossing a street on a crosswalk and when so crossing, the person shall be granted all of the rights and be subject to all of the duties applicable to pedestrians as provided for in this ordinance.
B. As used in subsection A of this Section, “major street” means any street intended to collect vehicular traffic and allow access to smaller and minor volume traffic roadways. A major street shall include such street in which a minimum width distance of thirty-two feet exists and is intended for allowing traffic to flow to residential streets.
C. As used in subsection A of this Section, “collector street” means any street that has been divided into three or more traffic lanes and where each abutting curb has not allowed for bicycle paths or any other area safe for the use of roller skates, skateboards, coaster wagons, toy vehicles or similar devices. (Ord. 03-015; Am. Ord. 05-19)
Full Breakdown
City Code § 12-3-6 bars skateboards, roller skates, coaster wagons, and similar toy vehicles from any 'major street' (32-plus feet wide, feeding traffic to residential streets) or 'collector street' (three-plus travel lanes with no bike path or safe curb space). Riders may only cross such a street at a crosswalk, where they get pedestrian rights and duties. Narrower residential streets remain open to skateboarding.
Violations & Fines
Riding a skateboard, roller skates, or coaster wagon along a major or collector street beyond a crosswalk crossing violates § 12-3-6, a citable traffic ordinance offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skateboard on Rio Rancho streets?
What counts as a collector street under Rio Rancho's skateboard ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rio Rancho
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