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September 2000

On A Roll

Inline skaters own Munich streets once a week

Unlike any other recent trend, inline skating has developed into both a Volkssport, that is a sport for the masses, as well as a means of transportation. Skaters are a common sight on the streets of Munich’s suburbs. Rolling through the ever-congested streets of the city, however, remains hazardous, even for the experienced road warrior. But there is hope: at least once a week, skaters are now reclaiming the streets of Munich. Every Monday in the summer (until September 11), thousands of inline skaters gather at Sophienstrasse for a nightly cruise through Schwabing on a 17-km-long course. A recent Munich Blade Night, as the event is called, attracted a staggering 25,000 participants on wheels. Led by so-called “Bladeguards,” skaters ride in a closed unit through otherwise empty streets — the police close them to traffic for this event — forming a fast-moving procession that can stretch as far as several kilometers. For more information on Munich Blade Nights and weather-related updates on the day of the event, visit www.muenchner-blade-night.de.