Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Livable Streets

Streetfilm: Paris Skates!

4:24 PM EDT on April 24, 2008

Streetfilms' Elizabeth Press kicks off a series of videos about livable streets in Paris with this look at the city's two weekly romps on skates -- roller-versions of Critical Mass that attract up to 15,000 participants. Notice that the police are an essential part of the proceedings (and they seem to have fun doing it -- check out the cops on blades at the 1:35 mark).

Says Elizabeth:

Every Friday night and Sundayafternoon Parisians can take the streets and see their city on skates.And they do, by the thousands! Both mass rides, which are sponsored bydifferent associations, started small and now are institutions ofpublic street life in Paris.

In this video you hear from both Tanao Terra, VP of Pari Roller, organizers of the Friday night skate and Philippe Moulié, President of Rollers & Coquillages, sponsors of the Sunday afternoon Skate.

A little history: The Friday night skates were started by a smallgroup of friends. After the transit strikes in 1995, which forcedParisians to find a new way to get around town, thousands of peoplebegan to show up on Friday evenings just to practice moving through thecity on roller blades. The numbers inspired Pari Roller to form anofficial association working with Paris’, and the world’s, first rollerblade national police unit.

Ben Fried
Ben Fried started as a Streetsblog reporter in 2008 and led the site as editor-in-chief from 2010 to 2018. He lives in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, with his wife.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Bike Lanes

DOT Aims to Build First Ave. Tunnel Bike Lane Before September’s UN General Assembly

DOT hopes to have the concrete-protect tunnel bike lane installed this summer, but its exact plans are still in development.

May 7, 2024
Department of Sanitation

Waste Reforms Could Require Data on Crashes, Dangerous Driving

The proposal affects at least one trucking company with a deadly driving record.

May 7, 2024
Streetsblog USAFederal Funding

When it Comes to Federal Infrastructure Grants, Size Does Matter

Cities and municipalities with larger budgets and staff are more likely to win competitive federal infrastructure grants, the Urban Institute has found.

May 7, 2024
Today's Headlines

Tuesday’s Headlines: Real Estate Greed Against Good Bike Lane Design Edition

A real estate developer's opposition to the Ashland Place protected bike lane yields some baffling bike lane markings. Plus more news.

May 7, 2024
bus lanes

City Considers Fixes for Another Ridiculously Slow Cross-Bronx Bus

Potential bus improvements are on the table for the Bronx's Tremont Avenue, but the Adams administration's failures on nearby Fordham Road loom large.

May 6, 2024
See all posts