As a passionate skateboarder living in London, I know first hand the importance of suitable facilities to hone our skills. I am not alone. There are thousands of us skateboarders in London, and we need a vert ramp. Vert skating is a hugely important discipline and instrument in the development of world class skateboarders. The UK is behind in skateboarder development and I believe the lack of a publicly accessible vert ramp within the capital is a strong contributing factor to this. Ask any of the contenders to represent Great Britain in the Olympic “park” skating discipline if they skate vert and you’ll hear 100% yes as the answer, yet vert skating is not encouraged or promoted in a way that would back up this fact. A centrally located vert ramp would facilitate the practice and development of future Olympic athletes alongside already established vert skaters. The lack of such a facility has limited our progression as a sporting nation, and in a city as vibrant as London, it is imperative that we promote varied recreational activities.

According to Skateboard GB, there are about 40,000 regular skateboarders in London. The demand is real. Nations such as the USA, Japan, Brazil and Australia and have recognised this and have built skateparks that cater to all styles not just tiny scooter parks for kids, including competition grade/sized ramps and bowls. London, as a global city, needs to acknowledge this growing sport and create inclusive spaces for all skateboarders. 

This petition is not just about skateboarding; it's about fostering community, promoting an active lifestyle, and providing a safe space to practice a globally recognised sport. Now is the time to acknowledge and fulfill the needs of our diverse sporting community. I urge the city authorities to allocate funding and space for the establishment of a vert ramp in London for skateboarders. Together, let's make London a more inclusive city for all sports. Therefore, I ask — no, I urge — you to sign this petition for the benefit of London's skateboarders.