Traffic Skateboards
ActiveOverview
Traffic Skateboards is an independent skateboard company founded in 2004 by East Coast legend Ricky Oyola. The brand is known for celebrating street skating in its purest form through a curated selection of skateboard decks, apparel, and media content. Traffic maintains a tight-knit team structure and operates as a skater-owned and skater-operated business, positioning itself as one of the original East Coast underground skate brands.
History
Traffic Skateboards was founded in 2004 by Ricky Oyola in Philadelphia. The company released its first full-length video, VIA, in 2006, establishing itself within the skateboarding community. Over its 20-year history, Traffic has produced six full-length video projects, with the most recent being "It's Completely Fine: The Toynbee Project." The brand has maintained its independent, skater-owned operational model throughout its existence.
Product Lines
| Product Line | Positioning | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Skateboard Decks | Street skating-focused boards | $50 - $70 |
| Apparel - T-Shirts | Casual skate wear | $25 - $45 |
| Apparel - Hoodies | Casual skate wear | $60 - $90 |
| Apparel - Crewnecks | Casual skate wear | $50 - $80 |
| Headwear - Caps | Branded accessories | $20 - $35 |
Manufacturing
Information regarding specific manufacturing locations and processes is not available in the provided sources. Traffic operates as an independent brand with a distributed global presence.
Notable Products
- VIA (2006) - Traffic's first full-length skateboarding video, featuring the core team including Mark Wetzel, Ricky Oyola, and Pat Stiener.
- It's Completely Fine: The Toynbee Project - Traffic's sixth full-length video project showcasing the entire team's street skating content.
- Traffic Skateboard Decks - Core product line featuring street skating-focused designs from the brand's curated team riders.
Reputation
Traffic is respected within the skateboarding community as an authentic East Coast underground brand that prioritizes artistic integrity and street skating culture. The brand is recognized for its commitment to skater ownership and operation, maintaining creative control over its media and product direction. Traffic's longevity and consistent video output demonstrate credibility within the core skateboarding audience, though the brand operates at a smaller scale compared to major commercial skateboard companies.
Sources (7)
- https://www.skatestore.com/brands/traffic/
- https://www.skateboardstickers.com/blogs/skateboard-companies-about-and-history/about-traffic-skateboards
- https://www.trafficskateboarding.com
- http://mattgribben.com/traffic-skateboards
- https://www.skatevideosite.com/videos/traffic-via
- https://www.theoriesofatlantis.com/collections/traffic-skateboards
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwYHFCSpwgc