Gibraltar Resident Launches Petition for Skatepark to Improve Safety

A growing conversation around pedestrian safety in Gibraltar has been brought into sharp focus by local resident Liam Dinenson Lapid, who has launched a petition calling for the development of a dedicated skatepark or pump track.

Like many who live and work in Gibraltar, Lapid has experienced the challenges of sharing limited public space. With cyclists and scooter riders often navigating through pedestrian-heavy zones, near-misses have become increasingly common. For Lapid, this isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a safety concern that needs urgent attention.

“On several occasions, I’ve narrowly avoided collisions,” he explains. “It’s clear that something needs to change.”

Gibraltar’s unique layout, compact, busy, and full of life, means that space is always at a premium. Families, commuters, tourists, and young people all share the same streets and walkways. For children and teenagers eager to ride bikes or scooters, options are limited, often leading them into areas that were never designed for that purpose.

Rather than placing blame, Lapid’s proposal focuses on a constructive solution: creating a dedicated space where cycling, skating, and scootering can be enjoyed safely and freely.

The petition advocates for the construction of a skatepark or pump track in Gibraltar, highlighting that such facilities are not just recreational, they’re transformational.

Around the world, similar projects have delivered wide-ranging benefits. Studies supported by organizations like the Tony Hawk Foundation have shown that skateparks can help reduce anti-social behaviour, promote tourism, and improve overall community wellbeing. These spaces naturally bring people together, creating hubs where individuals of all ages and backgrounds can connect through shared activity.

“This isn’t just about bikes or scooters,” he says. “It’s about creating a safer, healthier environment for everyone.”

One of the common concerns raised is whether Gibraltar has the physical space to accommodate such a facility. However, Lapid argues that several under-utilised areas could be repurposed without disrupting existing infrastructure.

With thoughtful urban planning, a skatepark or pump track could be integrated into the community in a way that enhances, not competes with, current public spaces.

At its core, the petition is about balance—ensuring that pedestrians can move safely while also giving young people a place to be active and express themselves.

Lapid is now calling on Gibraltar’s government and urban planners to seriously consider the proposal, emphasising that proactive planning today can prevent more serious issues in the future.

“This is about making Gibraltar safer and stronger as a community,” he adds. “We all share this space, it’s time we made it work better for everyone.”

Residents who support the initiative are encouraged to sign the petition and help bring attention to what many see as a practical, forward-thinking solution for Gibraltar’s evolving urban landscape.

You can sign the petition by clicking here