Rollerskating In Austria: What You Need To Know

Roller skating is a popular activity in Austria, with a growing community of enthusiasts in Vienna and beyond. Inline skates, or rollerblades, are a common sight, used for sports, leisure, and even as a means of transport. Skating is permitted on pavements, footpaths, zebra crossings, residential streets, and cycle paths, but not on long-distance cycle lanes. Austria offers a variety of trails for roller skaters, including in Vienna, Kaisermühlen, Laxenburg, and Weissensee. The country also boasts several skateparks, such as the Central Cemetery/Simmering in Vienna's 11th district and the supervised skatepark Penzing, which is open exclusively to certain individuals on Tuesday evenings.

Inline skates are allowed on pavements, zebra crossings, pedestrian zones, and residential streets

In Austria, inline skates are allowed on pavements, zebra crossings, pedestrian zones, and residential streets. This means that skaters can use the same spaces as pedestrians, including in residential areas. However, it is important to adjust your speed when skating in these areas to match the speed of pedestrians. This ensures that everyone can safely share the space.

Additionally, inline skating is permitted on specific types of roads and paths. For example, skaters can use local cycle paths, but they must follow the mandated direction and comply with regulations applicable to cyclists. On other roads open to road traffic, children under the age of 12 must be supervised by someone over 16 or hold a cycling pass.

In Vienna, Austria's capital, inline skaters are welcome and can enjoy several dedicated skating locations. The Prater Hauptallee, a 4.5 km long main alley in the Prater, offers a level and uninterrupted skating experience. Similarly, the 21 km long Danube Island provides an extensive, traffic-free route for skaters.

Beyond these dedicated spaces, Vienna hosts events like Friday Night Skating, where skaters can take to the city's streets. Every Friday from May to September, roads are blocked off to cars, creating a unique skating experience through the city. This event is free of charge and welcomes both skaters and cyclists to participate.

Children under 12 can only skate in residential areas unless supervised

In Austria, children under the age of 12 are only permitted to roller skate in residential areas unless they are supervised by someone over the age of 16. This is to ensure their safety, as skating in non-residential areas may involve sharing the space with vehicles and faster-moving cyclists.

If you are an adult accompanying a child under 12, you are allowed to skate with them in residential areas, as well as on pavements or footpaths, zebra crossings, in pedestrian zones, and on cycle paths (but not long-distance cycle lanes). Remember to adjust your speed to match that of pedestrians.

If you are looking for a smooth skating experience in Vienna, try the 4.5 km long main alley in the Prater or the 21 km long Danube Island. These areas are free of traffic and offer uninterrupted skating. Every Friday, from May to September, you can also join the Friday Night Skating event, where certain roads in the city are blocked off for skaters.

So, if you are under 12, make sure you have supervision, and if you are an adult accompanying a child, remember to stay in the permitted areas and be mindful of your speed around pedestrians.

Vienna is a paradise for skaters with smooth skating spots like Prater Hauptallee and Danube Island

Vienna is a haven for skaters, with smooth spots to skate like Prater Hauptallee and Danube Island. The 4.5 km long main alley in the Prater and the 21 km long Danube Island offer level, uninterrupted surfaces for skating enthusiasts. Prater Hauptallee, in particular, provides a smooth and level path for quad skaters, who require even surfaces. This spot, accessible via Praterstern (U1), is ideal for those seeking a flat and consistent skating experience.

Danube Island, or Donauinsel, is another prime location for skaters in Vienna. With its impressive length of 21 kilometres, it offers an extensive stretch for skating. The island is free of traffic, ensuring a safe and continuous skating experience. The smooth paths of Danube Island make it a popular choice for skaters of all skill levels.

In addition to these two prime locations, Vienna offers a variety of other spots for skating enthusiasts. The city welcomes in-line skaters and allows them to use pavements, footpaths, zebra crossings, pedestrian zones, and cycle paths. The city also hosts Friday Night Skating during the warmer months, where skaters can take to the usually car-filled streets. This event is organised every Friday from May to September, with roads blocked off for skaters to enjoy a different route each week.

For those seeking a more social skating experience, Vienna offers group skates and roller derby teams. The city has a vibrant roller skating community, with events like the Vienna Roller Derby and Friday Night Skating bringing people together. Overall, Vienna provides a range of options for skaters of all types, making it a true paradise for those who love to roll.

There are organised events like Friday Night Skating and Vienna Roller Derby

If you're looking for organised rollerskating events in Austria, Vienna is the place to be. The Austrian capital is a paradise for skaters, with smooth, uninterrupted surfaces in many public spaces.

One of the most popular events is Friday Night Skating, which takes place every Friday from May to September. The event is free of charge and open to both skaters and cyclists. Roads that are usually full of cars are blocked off, and a different route is organised each week. The meeting point is Heldenplatz in the 1st district at 8 pm.

Another option for roller derby enthusiasts is the Vienna Roller Derby. This group hosts regular events, including the annual Austrian Roller Derby Championship, which sees the best teams in the country face off in a series of thrilling competitions. Their B-Team, the Vienna Beasts, also compete in international competitions, such as against the B teams from Limoges and Copenhagen Roller Derby.

There are also several other roller skating and inline skating groups in Austria, such as the Inline Skaters of Austria and the Austrian Roller Sports Federation (ORSV). These groups often host events and provide resources for skaters, so be sure to check them out if you're looking for more skating opportunities.

Skate trails and parks can be found in Vienna, Salzburg, and other cities

In Salzburg, the Salzburgring is open to all sports enthusiasts, including those who want to inline skate. Additionally, there is the Blade Academy, which offers courses and camps for those who want to learn or improve their inline skating skills. They offer a variety of courses, from urban skating to skate park tricks and off-road skating.

Frequently asked questions