The Association


The mission of Pari Roller is to organize and promote the Friday night skating tour and to encourage roller skating as a leisure activity, as a sport or as a means of transportation… The association is a-political, not-for-profit, and non-religious--in short, independent!

The organization is built on principles that started in the streets, with unauthorized rides. At that time, a small group of skaters was organizing in the city to skate for pleasure, discover the city and meet other people—in other words, for freedom.

Pari Roller is now totally independent from any commercial or political structure. Its only partner is the Paris police department, which along with Pari Roller ensures the security of the participants and the spectators. These are what make the event successful.

Of course today, due to the growing popularity of the Friday Night Fever skate tour, things are changing … But the basics remain the same. The tour is free and open to anyone who can control his or her speed. It is a space of freedom.

Pari Roller does not consider itself the “owner” of the tour, but rather it guarantees a certain philosophy and spirit of the tour. By encouraging a work ethic related to its philosophy, Pari Roller tries to protect the skaters from outside influences, such as attempts of commercial or political takeovers, or massive distributions of leaflets, etc.

But it’s also your job, you faithful or occasional riders of the tour, to tell us what you think. If you have any ideas or if you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us!

This weekly ride gathers the largest number of skaters in the world… and it is yours. Its survival depends on you.


The Place


Place Raoul Dautry in the 14th arrondissement of Paris.
between the Montparnasse office tower and the Paris-Montparnasse train station.

The Date


All year round, except in case of rain or when road surfaces are wet (slippery road=danger).
Every Friday. Start at 10pm for a 3-hour ride through Paris (return to Montparnasse at 1am).
The Access
By metro : Lines 4, 6, 12 and 13 - stop Montparnasse Bienvenüe
By road: Périphérique sud, exit Porte d'Orléans, take Avenue du Général Leclerc, then Avenue du Maine.

The Route


It is different every week, but always about 30km (18.6 miles) long. The week’s route is generally published on Thursdays.

The Security


Police
Police headquarters graciously provides Pari Roller with:
- a team of 6 police officers on motorcycles (to open the road)
- a team of 4 mobile police officers on motor-scooters (for big intersections)
- a team of 20 police officers on skates (within the procession)

Medical Assistance
Pari Roller pays for the Paris “Protection Civile” which follows the procession in two ambulances, and provides immediate medical assistance if necessary.

Pari Roller Volunteer Staff
The volunteer staff of Pari Roller allows the procession to go smoothly and advance safely. The staffers of the association are members who choose to share their passion by protecting the participants of the skate.

Membership at Pari Roller


A contribution to the association
First, as you might know, an association always has operational expenses (mailing, photocopies, etc…). Your contribution allows us to cover costs and to manage and ensure the security of the ride.
Thanks to the first memberships, we were able to provide the staff with correct clothing, and to buy some very useful megaphones. We also were able to provide ambulances from a state financed civilian rescue organization, an essential part of keeping everyone safe.
Because of these investments, the authorities consider Pari Roller a serious and trustworthy association.
Though we have since found other sources of income for the management of the association, we count on memberships to guarantee the continuation of Pari Roller.

An adapted insurance
By becoming a member of Pari Roller, you benefit from the basic guarantee of the GAN (insurance company) through MARSH, the worldwide leader in risk management services and insurance brokerage. MARSH offers a plan adapted to roller skating, valid 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, wherever you are in the world!
This insurance policy includes
- individual coverage in case of an accident
- coverage for civil liability
- judicial protection.
The origins of MARSH date back to 1871. It has about 26,000 employees to help clients in more than 100 countries.
In France, MARSH has a team that is specialized in events, and more particularly in sport events. MARSH is the worldwide leader in this field of coverage. The person in charge of this field, Patrick VAJDA, manages the worldwide activity. In the United-States about a third of professional sports are insured by MARSH.

Specific benefits
The association works hard to obtain any kind of benefits for our members, in every field (not just skating).

To become a member, print and fill the form.
You can bring it us every friday before the start or send by mail.
Pari-Roller
Adhésions
16 Bd Saint Germain
75005 PARIS
FRANCE

Rules of the Game


Pari-Roller strongly recommends that you wear full protection
In keeping the spirit of the individual freedom of the skaters, the association recommends protection, but does not make it compulsory.

WARNING
From its origins, the Friday Night Fever is meant for skaters who already have some experience.
The routes include technical difficulties on purpose (cobblestones, downhills), and the speed of the procession is rather fast in order to raise the level.
It is essential for your safety and that of the other participants that you KNOW HOW TO BRAKE:

There is another skate, more adapted to beginners, which takes place on Sunday afternoons, starting at 2:30pm at Place de La Bastille /Boulevard Bourdon. This skate is organised by the association Rollers & Coquillages.

We kindly ask cyclists, skateboarders, snakeboarders and scooters to remain at the end of the procession. The difference in means of transportation is dangerous to the skaters and to themselves. We do not mean to be sectarian; it is the number of accidents that led us to adopt this position.

"Rules of the Game"


Respecting these safety rules contributes to assure the highest possible level of security. Security is important to all of us.

The procession is secured by the police and the Pari Roller volunteers: the staff. The yellow-clad staffers allow the procession to advance safely.
If you are not on the street (on the sidewalks), or if you are in front of the front line of staffers or behind the back line of staffers, you are outside the procession and thus not protected.

- Always follow the advice of the Pari Roller staff..
- Never forget this skate is not a race.
- The first ones regularly stop to wait for the last ones.
- It is forbidden to pass the first line of staffers at the head of the procession
- Skate as far on the right side of the road as possible.
- Skate only on the street, not on the sidewalks.
- Obey if the staff asks you to leave the procession because your skating level is insufficient to guarantee your own safety and that of the other participants.
- It is forbidden to hold on to any vehicle.
- Please leave a lane on the side to help the staffers move along the procession.
Good preparation, good behaviour...
Listen to the advice of the staff: they are there to help you, not to hassle you. Respect their efforts: they are all volunteers and work for your safety.

* IF YOU FALL, don’t leave your hands on the ground, and try to get up as quickly as possible.

* RAISE YOUR HANDS for slow-downs, and stops, uneven surfaces and fallen skaters to warn skaters behind you.

* Wear protections: especially wrist pads (80% of all breaks occur in the wrists), but don’t forget to protect your elbows, knees and your head as well..

* Your gear requires maintenance; check it before skating. Are the axles tightened? How are your bearings? Are your buckles buckled up?

* Master your speed; don’t let yourselves get carried away... There is not always someone to stop you, and you might make someone fall, if only by startling them.

* Enjoy the ride but remain attentive of skaters around you. As in a car, pass on the left and avoid slaloms.

* Don’t push yourself too hard; know when to stop: After 2 hours on the road, your attention wanders, your reflexes are not as sharp, and you are less efficient. Listen to your body.

* Recharge your batteries before the skate: eat (but don’t stuff yourself) and take along some extras (water, cereal bars…).

* Wear bright clothes; alone or in a group, your visibility protects you.

* Going down hills, respect safety distances: you can reach speeds up to 50 km/h / 30mph, and you might not have the time to avoid someone falling in front of you.

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