There seems to be debate here about whether or not kids really do run in to people while wearing heelies. Im one of those who lie like a rug since I too have seen it happen. A kid almost struck my mother at California Adventure. She was walking with a cane and had nine inch scars on her knees (double knee replacement surgery) and Im quite sure it was obvious she was handicapped. But a kid wanted her space. She was walking by the wooden fence next to the Grizzly water ride so she could be out of peoples way as she walked much slower, but the little darling wanted that space
.it looked like he wanted the fence as support in case he started to lose balance while riding. So instead of walking past my mother he continued to skate towards my mother! I watched this kid look at my mother and continue to move towards her anyway, expecting HER to move! His mom and dad did nothing. You know what I did? I went in front of my mother and put my hands out ready to push the spoiled demon out of the way of my mother! So the kid realized that he was going to be pushed if he came any closer and he, at the last moment, turned suddenly to get out of my way and fell hard on his knees and skinned them up (I didn't lay a hand on him...he fell by himself). It was pretty darned bloody! Mom and dad were livid at me and started ranting. I simply told them that I love my mother, and I pointed at her scars, and I told them that Id rather see their kid bleeding on the ground then my mother in the hospital! The only other thing I could have done was to allow that brat to plow into my mother. With knees that were only 10 weeks old at that point, she would have been seriously injured. There is no way I would have allowed that!
But anyway, for the sake of argument, lets assume that Im lying and that everybody here is lying and that none of us have seen kids in heelies cause accidents.
I would have to say that even if they dont run in to you, a kid on heelies is a high energy situation and that causes tension that should not be in a grocery store, a library, or any other pedestrian area that is not specifically made for skating. When Im on the road driving my car, I am hyper vigilant about not getting hit by people. Ive been stuck four times by careless drivers. When I get into my car, I know and expect that it will be a tense period of time. However, when Im at the supermarket or in the mall, I dont expect to have to be hyper vigilant about my safety or well-being. Youre supposed to be reasonably safe when shopping for groceries! Even if your kid doesnt hit me or anybody else, a skating child really does cause tension and anxiety because people know that accidents happen! And because people know that accidents happen, we feel nervous when said kid is happily skating through the store and whizzing by us. If in the first 30 years of my life I could be in four major car crashes, I know that your little darling can hit me. I understand accidents and I want to avoid them! Rapidly moving objects are high risk and you know that. We all know that. You cant reach adulthood and not know that a skating kid is a risky situation!!!! Even if you 100% trust your child not to hit me, I dont know you or your childs skating abilities!!! Therefore I get nervous and feel like I have to pay attention to what your child is doing instead of selecting my groceries. Your kids shouldnt be skating in the supermarket. I want to go into the store and select my groceries and pay for them without having to watch my surroundings for risky situations. Whether they are on heelies, running through the isles, or carelessly shoving shopping carts around, it makes people uncomfortable! Make those puppies behave themselves!!!!
And finally, Id like to mention respect. Those of you whose kids have heelies know beyond a shadow of a doubt that when your kids ride them in grocery stores or at Disney that it makes people uncomfortable. Based on this thread and what Ive heard other people saying about them, Id say at least 80% of people dont like them and feel as if their personal safety is at risk when kids ride them in stores or other crowded places. So if you know that it bothers people, isnt it a good lesson to teach your kids not to do it? Dont you want them to learn respect for other people?
Well sure enough within a minute or two I see a manager approaching her and letting her and her son know that Heeleys are not allowed in the store. She got pissed and left, her cart still sitting there.
If they aren't allowed why wouldn't you just tell your kid to take the wheels out and stop skating? It is a saftey issue.
)
Maybe not a mile, but certainly out of eye range.
Otherwise, you might want to reconsider where you allow them to go whizzing around..
Book'em Dano. I hate those things. 
You'll have to read the Ladies Meet thread to see my DS and DH's reactions when I mentioned them. Of course you'll have to come to the Ladies only meet and Heely around with us.
If I'm going to have a mid-life crisis, this is so much cheaper than a sports car!
