I went to the rink on Sunday and after ten minutes practicing a steward told me I was not allowed to skate backwards or do three turns. Obviously jumps were out, but I don't do those anyway. So I left, drove for an hour to another rink, where I was allowed to practice despite it being busier.
Bizarre. There was loads of room in the central area at Basingstoke, okay you had to keep an eye out for teachers and students but that's not so hard. I spoke to one chap who had just finished a lesson and was about to practice what he had been taught.
Last week I was nearly sent flying by a child pushing a penguin across the rink into my path. In my experience the dangers come from novices skating beyond their ability, children skating anywhere they please without regard to others, and some hockey skaters shooting around far too fast and close to people.