Skitching

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Skitching after a taxicab in New York City.

Skitching (abbreviated from "skate-hitching", pron: /ˈskɪtʃɪŋ/) is the act of hitching a ride by holding onto a motor vehicle while riding on a skateboard, roller skates, bicycle, or sneakers when there is snowfall. It is also sometimes referred to as bum-riding or hooky bobbing when being towed over snowy or icy streets on boots or a sled.[1] In addition, skitching can be performed on a bicycle or inner tube.[2]

Lucas Brunelle demonstrating Bicycle Skitching

Dangers[edit]

Because skitching is often done in traffic, on inadequate equipment for the speeds travelled, and sometimes without the knowledge of the driver of the vehicle, there is significant potential for injury or death. The skateboarding advocacy group Skaters for Public Skateparks reported that 2 of 42 skateboarding deaths in 2011 in the United States were skitching-related.[3]

Skateboarding celebrity Tony Hawk has advocated against the practice of skitching due to the related deaths and injuries.[4]

Cultural references[edit]

In film and television[edit]

Michael J. Fox can be seen skitching in the 1985 film Back to the Future, as can Michael Beck in the 1980 film Xanadu and Christian Slater in the 1989 film Gleaming the Cube and also in the 2016 film Nerve as a dangerous stunt. It was portrayed in Biker Boyz (2003), Lords of Dogtown (2005), Premium Rush (2012), and season 1 of Better Call Saul (2015) as well.

In literature[edit]

In video games[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Hooky bob (1965)". Do You Speak American? Track That Word!. PBS. Archived from the original on 2010-05-27.
  2. ^ McFedries, Paul (November 4, 1997). "Skitch". Word Spy.
  3. ^ Waters, Teresa (January 30, 2012). "2011 Skateboarding Fatalities". Skaters for Public Skateparks. Archived from the original on 2013-08-21.
  4. ^ "Hawk's warning: don't skitch". The Sydney Morning Herald (MP4 video). January 24, 2012. Archived from the original on 2013-11-27.