First Time Riding in the City? Penny Board Tips for Beginners

[@pia.hasselberg]

Wow, amazing job with this video tyler! I feel honored! This video was really good for me to see, to realize that it is okay to step off the board instead of doing too risky/stupid stuff. So many skateboard videos just show crazy pro skaters doing tricks just about everywhere, but i cant relate to them. Your video and mindset was much better for me to see. Thank you so much for this, it was really liberating!

[@pennyboardtyler]

Hi Pia! I'm so glad to hear this was a little more relatable and helpful. Absolutely do what is best for you. I appreciate your openness, and I wish you the absolute best! Happy riding 🌟

[@inktrooper.]

Hey Pia, I just want to give you another approach to riding in an urban setting. I started skating on a Penny Nickel too and my goal was the same to yours. I also live in the suburbs and ride public transport, but wanted to make my commute more fun. The thing is you have to try things, obviously being aware of your capabilities and current skills; when I first bought my Penny I practiced a lot on parking lots, parks until I felt comfortable pushing, braking, turning, stopping, bailing, etcetera, and then moved to sidewalks and backstreets when I felt comfortable. The thing is going up step by step at your own pace. As the guy on the video said it's wise to know when to step down your board and walk, but you also have to try sketchy stuff: rough pavement, cobbled pathways, cracked sidewalks and more, because if you don't you'll never know how it feels for you and if you're capable of doing it, and ultimately will never learn how to approach it. As you might know by now falling it's an important part of learning to skateboard. By the time this video was posted I assume you have 8 months or so riding experience (and probably you are already riding on the streets of big cities), but I'll say it anyway: once you have developed street awareness (the ability to be aware of your surroundings and predict consistently what cars, bikes, pedestrians will do) you are good to try and ride on the streets, bike lanes are preferable, but not all the cities nor all the streets have them. Lastly I would say riding on the sidewalks is more dangerous than riding on the road itself. Why? Because you have to avoid pedestrians and it's more likely a person walking out of a door, or a business will get in your way without you having time to react and avoid them. If you ride on the right side of the road and respect traffic laws you are more likely to move faster and more safe. At first is scary, but as everything, with practice the fear becomes confidence. Actual tips for riding on an urban setting: Learn how to foot-brake, that's the basic, but learning how to kick-turn and roll off a curb will improve your experience. When riding over cobble-stoned surfaces try to ride the cracks diagonally, this reduces the vibration and prevents shedding too much speed.This also applies to big cracks on the pavement or a sidewalk: if you're not sure if your penny would ride over a crack that seems a little too big of a gap or a little too tall the step try approaching it diagonally (I've found you got the best results at 45°) with good speed, this way the lip of the first wheel helps rolling up, and if one wheel is up you're through! Keep an eye for pebbles and learn which size you can roll over. Then when you're really comfortable, learning to lift your front wheels (a micro manual) would help you roll over bigger obstacles like branches, misaligned sidewalks and manhole covers, and cracks. Google "chinese ollie".

[@axdf777]

Great content! Helped me a lot. I thought I was being too scared having all these precautions while riding in the streets, but you showed me that this is actually the best and safest way to cruise around. Thanks

[@pennyboardtyler]

Glad it helped, Lucca! Have a blast riding around!

[@ChrisPBacon1434]

To add onto the uneven sidewalk thing about low speeds, yes you can fall easily on low speeds but even on high speeds you are not immune to those because it can severely knock you off balance and if you fall it will be far worse, because you might get road burn, lose your board, or hit someone else. I would also like to note that you should always ride at a slow cruise and if it is crowded, don't risk it and stay in areas with less people because as we all know, people suck.

[@pennyboardtyler]

Great additions, Boo! Thanks for your comment and happy riding 🤙🏼

[@Kay_editz]

Expetuallt stones

[@flashynostromo]

The squirrels in the background caught me off guard lmao

[@pennyboardtyler]

This comment reminds me of the movie “Up” lolz

[@matthewjago1]

I came to comments to shout out that squirrel 😂

[@Lazy_Lazar]

When there is a surface that's a little higher like at 3:50, it's also good to go diagonal, so the impact is way smaller. I really enjoyed the video, this helps a lot too!

[@pennyboardtyler]

Yes it is! Glad you enjoyed the video 🤙🏼

[@AntonioReventone]

Fantastic tips!!! I wish to know them week ago. I was riding in the bike line and felt down and slam the concrete, I got my anckle sprain! México City si not the best city for riding on your skateboard! Keep doing videos!! Cheers.

[@pennyboardtyler]

Hey Jose, thanks for your comment! I'm sorry to hear about your ankle sprain, but I hope it heels fast. Cheers!

[@DeniseNepraunig]

Another fantastic video Tyler!! I currently opted for a 22" as I am a smaller person (1,57 m) and I really wanted something small/short/lightweight to carry around. As I am confident on my normal skateboard the stability was not a big issue with the small Penny Board. I rode it last weekend in the city on short distances and it was great. Today I changed the Penny Board wheels to the Orangatang 65 mm 77 A Love Handles with 50 mm contact and I must say the ride on our rough pavements in Berlin was much better and my ball bearings (Independent - black) were much faster! The wheels stick out a bit more left and right off the board, but so did the original wheels. Wheel bite was no issue at all - still 2 fingers space. The bigger wheels added a bit more weight but still okay to carry in one hand. The wider wheels added more stability and I didn't loosen my trucks but the board was immediately more 'carve-y'/responsive. The trucks felt quite stiff with the normal wheels, but it is easier to push as they are not so 'wobbly'. The tiny bit of added height (5mm) of the wheels I feel (!) like I need to bend my knees a tiny bit more when pushing but it is okay.

[@pennyboardtyler]

Hey Denise, so great to hear! Sounds like you really found a solid set-up for your board, and it's treating you well out on the roads!

[@MrSuicidal69]

Hi DInese. I also opted for the 22" inch board after much deliberating. I just wished they did an in between size instead of the jump to the 27" board. I jump between a regular popsicle board for the skate park and a longboard and surfskate for longer commutes and cruising. At 54, I have found it challenging adapting to the smaller Penny but have had lots of fun on shorter rides. Gertting my stance correct is the trickiest and I have done the splits a few times when my back foot has come off and the board zips forward. I may opt to change up to bigger wheels like you have done. Part of me wishes I'd gone the 27" model but I wanted something small and easy to carry/transport.

[@MrSuicidal69]

Thanks for the Penny videos Tyler. Very helpful. @@pennyboardtyler

[@pennyboardtyler]

Glad they were helpful! @@MrSuicidal69

[@LeaveNoTrashBehind]

I have a 27" PennyBoard it's incredible I love it! I got 5" trucks for it to avoid sketchy turns compared to the stock trucks, also got Sharkwheels with Bones bearings. The Sharkwheels are wonderful for crap roads, small rocks, and riding over cracks. And of course the Bones bearings makes it a fast smooth ride.

[@pennyboardtyler]

That’s awesome to hear! I’ve heard good things about the shark wheels so I’m glad to know you like them 🤙🏼

[@michaelmelter2271]

Nice video. I know you like Penny boards, but I had the nickel and would fall sometimes hard when commuting on it in Rochester, MN. I got the Landyachtz Turbo Flight as a gift. It makes such a huge difference in urban areas! The plow king wheels fly over stuff I used to fall hard on and it's so much faster. Those areas prior to the street that are raised that you don't like are easy to get over on that board, especially if you raise the nose slightly on the kicktail or just off load pressure a bit. I'd highly recommend you try it out.

[@pennyboardtyler]

Yo Michael! Thanks for your comment. I’ve heard of landyachtz having a solid line of boards and love to hear it works great for where you ride. I’d always be down to try one, but I don’t think it’s fitting for me to own one since I already have too many different kinds of Penny boards. But also, you live in Rochester? I don’t know many boarders in the state so that’s even more dope to hear from you!

[@pennyboardtyler]

Let me know if you ever come up to the Cities

[@michaelmelter2271]

@@pennyboardtyler Definitely. Are you right in the twin cities or in a suburb? I lived in Cottage Grove and Lindstrom, MN, for most of my life but now live in Rochester since I work down here. It would be fun to skate sometime as I don't know anyone else into longboarding/skateboarding, lol. I know Ogden Sikel has a channel on here and he is from Rochester but is up in Minneapolis right now going to college.

[@pennyboardtyler]

@@michaelmelter2271 currently in Eagan! Just south of the Cities. Lots of great trails around for cruising 🤘🏼

[@bruin4937]

Good city-riding tips, Tyler. Thanks!

[@pennyboardtyler]

Glad to hear, Bruin 🤘🏼

[@TT_R89]

Nice, nice! Thank you for doing these videos. Penny boards are very popular but somehow there isn't a lot out there on specific Penny Board riding (for cruising and stuff...)

[@pennyboardtyler]

Thank you R. Torres! I appreciate your comment and support. I’ll definitely keep putting out Penny content because you are right about that

[@miskihockn5792]

3:38 I went ahead and bought bigger wheels, Helps with things like this so you can ride over rougher ground and not have to get off to cross roads.

[@pennyboardtyler]

Awesome to hear!

[@ChrisFox-mu7cn]

Also you can foot drag to slow down, jump off in extreme cases. Also when going over cracks you can lift the front wheels and bonk of the back wheels to get over cracks. And Lean back on rough surfaces.

[@pennyboardtyler]

Just seeing this now, but yes! Good points to add as well 👍🏼

[@jaminallen3119]

Fantastic video! Thanks for all the effort. And great editing too. Thanks. I'll take this all on...board...(Sorry I couldn't not do that)

[@pennyboardtyler]

Stoked you dig it and found it helpful! 🤙🏼

[@SO-ym3zs]

Good stuff. So refreshing to see someone giving good common-sense advice about safety. So many skating videos make light of it or ignore it entirely. When you're skating around cars and people, it shouldn't be like the X-Games. Be responsible and considerate to avoid hurting yourself or someone else and to avoid giving skaters a worse reputation than they already have. Thanks for mentioning bike lanes, too. I'm also a cyclist, and it's dangerous enough for us out there on bikes because of all the crazy motorists. The last thing we need is a careless or newbie skater creating yet another hazard.

[@pennyboardtyler]

Yo thanks for letting me know! I’m definitely a fan of safety and respect, and I’m glad to hear you are too. That’s awesome to hear you’re also a cyclist!

[@hal-c]

Killer video. Was just tinking about this recently. I live in Seattle and have been debating whether or not I want take my penny with me when I travel around the city. I generally just take it with me to destination spots specifically for the purpose of skating, like parks where I know I'm going to have good conditions to ride. The idea of trying to avoid pedestrians with all the hills we've got out here is a bit daunting.

[@pennyboardtyler]

Yo thanks for your comment, Hal! Seattle is a really fun place, and it's awesome you can explore around some destination spots. I've cruised out there last summer and loved it. Have you tried the paths near the water (around the Ferris wheel)? I'm unsure how many people are out there during this time, but that area I know is a little flatter. Best of luck on your adventures to come! 👊🏼

[@sharkcruiserz2317]

Thanks bro for the tips 😁

[@pennyboardtyler]

For sure 🤘🏼🤙🏼

[@Padmonk]

Cool video and I just want to give some thoughts as somebody who drives street daily. For me its my adventure to get to know the streets of my city in and out so that I can skate them with flow and less interruptions as possible. First I dont really understand why you struggle with this typical small crosswalk bumps. They feel shortly uncomfortable but with the right tempo they shouldnt be challenging. At least in my area. But dangerous indeed is that you usually have to enter the crosswalk then with speed and high commitment. I drive a typical 8.3 board with 52 mm peralta dragons and these grounds themself are part of the adventure and nothing to think about after some time. Or comes this maybe because of the small deck and axle size of a penny board? Next to this downhill stop walk, I just recommend trying to slide with your pushing food over the ground so you can dose that like a real brake. Looks super smooth, sounds nice and works even at steep streets. I enjoy doing that, I just put higher weight in my brake food when I really want to stop. Otherwhise its just a combination of pushing and slide braking to dose the tempo, for example between walking people. Last the thing with driving on bicycle lanes. I think after about a year street experience they are easy skateable. At least when you know that you dont loose your board if nothing really unexpected happens. I cant really avoid them when I want to stay in flow and often they are the only flat ground for corners etc. Nice and safe rides you all :)

[@shawnRushB]

Love to see some video to talk about how to ride penny in city 👍

[@pennyboardtyler]

For sure! Thanks for checking it out 🤙🏼

[@antonionotbanderas9775]

7:00 I just ordered a Pennyboard cause I do my own food delivery by foot, and thought a board might be fun. Oh well 😆

[@pennyboardtyler]

Super cool to hear! I mean you could always give it a try!

[@kayocampcrew]

Cruiser wheels help with falling is what I have been told.

[@pennyboardtyler]

Bigger wheels do help a lot

[@jaminallen3119]

I also need to get a cool helmet. That's one thing I don't have yet...😬 I have a 27" Nickel in Dark Slate. I love it (tho I really wanna get a 32" Penny as it's closer to my original 80's ply I still have.

[@pennyboardtyler]

For sure! 🪖

[@andycoe23]

Nice and useful tips! Try to make a video on a larger cruiser.

[@pennyboardtyler]

Thanks for your feedback, Andy 🤙🏼 What about a larger cruiser would you like to specifically see?

[@Siddersquid]

Some sensible advice. I'd say be carful if the ground is wet too. Maybe take it slower.

[@pennyboardtyler]

For sure; Wet roads are never ideal to ride in

[@florenceching]

I still haven't figure out how to go up and down from small curbs when riding. Do you already have a video on it? :)

[@pennyboardtyler]

Ooh great question! I do not have a video yet, but I can make one in upcoming weeks!

[@florenceching]

@@pennyboardtyler Looking forward to it! Have a lovely weekend! :)

[@lowkeyy_jj]

Is it weird to skate a 22inch penny board in the city? I'm 5,9

[@pennyboardtyler]

I’m literally 5’9” lolz, and I rode the 22inch. If you’re debating it, you could always go with the 27inch

[@jcrALLday]

The Arron kyro we needed

[@pennyboardtyler]

🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@tbmacho]

Heeey,my sons got a 27inch one ,can I ride it with 100kgs?it says 80 max

[@pennyboardtyler]

Officially Penny Skateboards’ Penny boards have a max weight of 100kg so if yours says 80kg then I’d be a little cautious of riding it

[@mohannadmaiasah733]

Bende aynısı var acaba onla ne gibi hareketler yapabilirim

[@pennyboardtyler]

Bir alanın etrafında gezinebilir, oyabilir veya pompalayabilir ve gerçekten istiyorsanız temel numaraları deneyebilirsiniz.Ne olursa olsun, onunla eğlenin! 🤘🏼

[@mohannadmaiasah733]

@@pennyboardtyler olle fln olurmu bunda

[@LinoBoshof]

It is weird, but i can balance better, if ihave something in my hand, thats helps my head not to focus so much on the riding, wich is difficult for me(dyspraxia)

[@pennyboardtyler]

Great to hear that works for you!

[@MichioIchikawa]

Hi! I'm wondering if i should get a penny board for commute to the station here in Japan, but I don't know what size i should get. I have never penny boarded before but i want to have a safe ride and have a skate board that is portable too. My shoe size is 9 mens but do you think I should get the nickel board bc of stability, and the size?

[@pennyboardtyler]

Hey Michio! Thanks for your comment. If you've never penny boarded before (and don't skateboard/longbaord experience either) I would highly recommend the 27-inch Nickel board. If you have had other skateboard/longboard experience however - and you'd like to be as nimble and minimal as you can - you could try the 22-in Penny. For reference, my feet are a US 9.5 size, and I feel comfortable on the Penny (but I did have previous longboard experience prior). The Nickel will always be more stable though.

[@MichioIchikawa]

@@pennyboardtyler Thanks so much for the info! I will go with the 27 inch!

[@pennyboardtyler]

@@MichioIchikawa Great to hear! Have fun with it 🤘🏼

[@MichioIchikawa]

yeah i got the 27 inch and it fits perfectly and even though is a little heavy its a good size! thanks for the info tho!! @rcortez3899

[@mrsatan6449]

Get a medium-sized board:) If it's too big, it's hard to commute if lots of people are around. But a medium one with a tail to make sharper turns is ideal if u live in a densely populated area like mine. Like get one with the size of the average cruiser board! Have fun commuting😁

[@TacticalDingus]

I feel like this video was made for aliens visiting Earth and this is the penny board tutorial lol

[@pennyboardtyler]

Ohemegee yes take me to your leader 👽

[@MaicahTirador-ko5sy]

Is this normal sir? When I skate outside I feel embarrassed when someone is watching me.

[@pennyboardtyler]

Yooo that’s totally common, and when I was actually learning to skateboard myself, I felt the exact same way. I totally thought everyone was judging me, and I felt uncomfortable if I was in a very public place. All I can say is that it does get better over time. I want to encourage you to keep getting out there and doing your best to ride. Slowly but surely, you’ll gain more confidence, and you’ll eventually not even think of what others are doing when you’re riding

[@anthonynyc8122]

I cruise on a 22 inch in the city all the time

[@pennyboardtyler]

niiiiiice

[@maninder6805]

Thanks for tips 😁. So we can say that 22" Penny board is pretty much impractical and definitely not safe for commuting right?

[@pennyboardtyler]

For sure! And to answer your question, the 22-inch is practical mostly if you travel often (i.e. on planes, public transit, etc.) and then commutes from there because the 22 is the easiest to travel with (it's what's it's made for). The other practical way is if you are a student who commutes to school/class and has limited space to put a board (i.e. in a locker or in a backpack).

[@maninder6805]

@@pennyboardtyler mhmm. Thanks for reply 😊. I recently got a 22" one. I have been practicing for a week and I am able to ride it but am not comfortable at all riding in the city cuz of alot cracks and uneven surfaces on the sidewalks and stuff. I tried on a sidewalk just got a few seconds and I just don't have a good feeling about it so I just walked instead. Maybe am just a totally beginner that's why I am not confident enough or it's just not comfortable riding on a lil bit of uneven surfaces. Also, I wear a size 12 shoe so I also noticed that I can't push super hard cuz I have to switch my front foot precisely on board if I am pushing, otherwise I'll just like kinda turn it left or right cuz there's just not enough speed at all.

[@pennyboardtyler]

Gotcha, yeah, in general, 22inch Penny's are a little trickier to learn if you don't have previous riding experience. It's also harder if you don't have an even surface. This being said, it's still super doable; it'll just take more time and practice to feel comfortable. I have a friend who is a size 11.5 (so closer to your size), and they are able to ride the 22inch comfortably. So I'd recommend trying to find the most even surface in your city, like a parking lot, and continue to try. And lastly, if you have the financial means, you could also try the 27inch, 32inch, or 36inch. Best of luck to you regardless!

[@insanogeddon]

Bigger Wheels are your friend!

[@pennyboardtyler]

Truth!

[@avenpreston2001]

I got a crusier so I can quickly pick it up and move around people

[@avenpreston2001]

Those bumps are for the visually impaired so yes I hate them but I'd rather them be there

[@pennyboardtyler]

Nice! Fun to hear

[@pennyboardtyler]

I also didn’t know that’s what those bumps are for you! Super cool to learn!

[@wildcoolorange]

whats a penny board?

[@pennyboardtyler]

A penny board refers to any 22-inch plastic deck skateboard. Penny Skateboards is a company that coined the term “penny board” even though they are not the ones who invented it

[@ZA.HCK-]

Completely of topic here. What i have seen is whenever a skater goes over those bumps they almost always turn into a red panda using their self defense mechanism.

[@pennyboardtyler]

I don't think I have seen a red panda's defense mechanism so I'll have to look it up!

[@ZA.HCK-]

@@pennyboardtyler please do everyome should see it atleast once in their life

[@ismargz3043]

I live in México city and i’m starting to criuse by the streets (they are awful by the way)

[@pennyboardtyler]

Nice! Hope you can find a better spot to ride nearby

[@carnagegerman]

Topic 5...ughhh I feel like those things were just designed to give anyone riding a skateboard a bad day

[@pennyboardtyler]

Ohhh yaaa!!

[@Maniafilia]

I get it, but it's for blind people. Maybe get to know our cities so we can know the streets and were is gonna be better to ride, and I feel is better to walk in the lights

[@jaykay1899]

Just a fun fact - the reason they exist is so blind/ sight impaired people can know there the crosswalk starts

[@pennyboardtyler]

@@jaykay1899 that's actually really awesome

[@obmorochnayakoza]

Squirrel!

[@pennyboardtyler]

🐿️🐿️🐿️

[@darkphotographer]

just go and get a normal skate ,, ther is a reason thows fade out in after the 70is ,,

[@pennyboardtyler]

traditional skateboards are great

[@Твойночнойкошмар-к8ц]

На нашем дороге только на танке ездить,тут невозможно найти гладкую и плоскую дорогу

[@pennyboardtyler]

йоу, это облом для круиза, но это было бы так дико, чтобы водить танк!

[@Твойночнойкошмар-к8ц]

@@pennyboardtyler хаха,это Россия

[@crookedtool]

@@Твойночнойкошмар-к8ц Может быть, электрическая горная доска лучше! 🏄‍♂️⛷🏂🛹🏔

[@adiazdleonr]

Basically, use your common sense.

[@pennyboardtyler]

Lolz yeah definitely a big part of it!

[@sdqsdq6274]

advice kinda useless , lol

[@pennyboardtyler]

Lolz I’m sorry to hear it from you

[@FedroRamos]

Definetly not helpful, it scares more than helps. Not even one tip about how to navigate those obstacles

[@pennyboardtyler]

Thanks for your feedback