Frequently Asked Questions
May 2002
Photos by Steven Wilber
Table of Contents:
Do you have any other questions you think should be here? I'd really
appreciate you helping me out - use this form to
contact me.
Street skates are simply awesome fun, with a tremendous Carnival-like
atmosphere. Come along, and it's very likely that you'll be completely
hooked after your first one. Urban street skates in this sense aren't
about aggressive skating, grinding benches, rail slides, etc., and relate more
to recreational skating through the streets of major cities.
This urban phenomenon started in Amsterdam as the Friday Night Skate, and has
since become popular in many cities around the world. A group of skaters
collect at the starting point on a weekly basis and skate a predetermined route
through their city. As with most of the bigger skates, skating is done on
the streets in amongst the traffic, which is generally brought
to a temporary halt while junctions are closed off as the skate passes through.
The skates go at a medium pace and are more about socialising than skating at
high speed and doing tricks. It's a great way to take in the sights and
see a city, as you can easily cover a lot of distance on your skates, but
without going so fast as to miss much of the scenery.
Both skates in London are often accompanied by a sound system on a bicycle,
which adds to the party atmosphere..
back to top...
The two main skates in London are not protests, and are instead simply a fun
way to enjoy the capital city on skates. Traffic disruption is minimised
by skating well after rush hour, and by letting the police know the route in
advance.
back to top...
Routes are generally varied every week to take in a different part of the
city. Most of the skates are about 10 miles, or 16km, but that's not a
long way at all given that the skates go fairly slowly. Besides, it's easy
to stop and get on the Underground if you get tired and want to stop skating.
back to top...
They are aimed at intermediate skaters. A general
guideline is that you should be confident on your skates, able to stop, and able
to step on and off pavements. You should also be capable of skating down
hills under control, as the routes often take in a hill or two. One point
to remember that if you come across a hill and are not sure you can make it,
take your skates off and walk down. Don't try to kill yourself by skating
down a hill you're not sure you can manage.
Please remember that the marshals are busy guiding the skate and blocking
traffic, so they are not there to hold your hand. If you find the skate
too fast or two difficult, then it's best you stop and either go back to the
Park or take your skates off.
back to top...
Starting point is at the bandstand, near to the Hyde Park Corner end of the Serpentine Road (the opposite to that shown on the map).
back to top...
The skate is generally called off because the lack of traction in the wet is
dangerous, and the wet conditions tend to ruin your bearings. See you next
week!
back to top...
The skates take between 1.5 and 2.5 hours, depending on the route.
Remember that the pace of the skate isn't very fast at all, and there are plenty
of rest stops along the way.
back to top...
The skates normally finish back at the starting point, after which many
people carry on to the pub for a few drinks. There are times when the
skate finishes elsewhere, such as the Salomon roller disco at the launch of
their FSK range of skates, when the skate finished at Spitalfields Market near
Liverpool Street station.
Many skaters go to the pub after the skate. Skating while drunk isn't
advisable. :)
|
The Victoria Pub
10a Strathearn Place, London,W2 2NH
Tel: (020) 7724 1191 |
Skaters going for a quick pit stop at another pub during the skate.
|
back to top...
There are normally a number of breaks along the way, as well as
a half-time.
back to top...
The group moves at a medium pace, so just about anyone of
average fitness will be able to keep up if they are confident intermediate skaters.
If you do get tired, there are so many underground stations throughout London
that it's easy to drop out of the skate and go home.
back to top...
The skates are free. The organisers and marshals put in a
tremendous amount of effort for little or no reward, so they will appreciate a
thank you if you enjoyed the skate.
back to top...
Just about anyone. People from all walks of life and often
from many other countries join in, with the only common denominator being
skating.
back to top...
Rent or hire your skates from these shops. Many hire out skates overnight.
back to top...
It's a good idea to bring the following:
- a bottle of water to avoid dehydration, and some sweets or other source of
sugar in case you get low on energy.
- some spare cash, just in case.
- a form of identity.
- protective gear, preferably including wrist guards, knee and
elbow pads.
- Reflective clothing and/or cycle lights to ensure that other traffic can
see you.
- Whistles or horns are popular!
back to top...
These rules change from time to time, and are also up to the individual skate
organisers. Just remember that they are trying their best to keep the
skate both fun and safe. Leave any attitude and showing-off at home, and
follow the marshals' instructions.
back to top...
Well, skating is a dangerous sport, and so you agree to accept all risks
involved yourself. The organisers do try to keep the skates as safe as
possible, and to this end have done the following:
- Marshals have first aid and marshalling training.
- Marshal groups stay in communication via two-way radios.
- Traffic is blocked off at junctions.
- The London Skate marshals skate their route every week to check for safety
issues and items such as road works, etc.
- The skate route is mailed to the Metropolitan police before every skate
What can you do to help your own safety and that of those around you?
- Skate sensibly and avoid slalom and trick skating in the middle of a big
crowd.
- Wear your protective gear, including a helmet.
- Don't skate on the pavement - you're much safer in the midst of the group.
- Don't skate ahead of the lead marshals.
The International Inline Skating Association have an acronym called SLAP,
which you can follow:
SMART
LEGAL
ALERT
POLITE
1. Skate Smart
- Always wear your protective gear—helmet, wrist protection, elbow pads, knee pads
- Master the basics—striding, stopping, and turning
- Keep your equipment in proper working order
2. Skate Legal
- Obey all traffic regulations. When on skates, you should consider yourself to be
subject to the same obligations as a bicyclist or a driver of an automobile
3. Skate Alert
- Skate under control at all times
- Watch out for road hazards
- Avoid water, oil, and sand
- Avoid traffic
4. Skate Polite
- Skate on the left, pass on the right
- Announce your intentions by saying, "passing on your right"
- Always yield to pedestrians
back to top...
These mass group street skates are organised by the
London Skate.
This website (www.LondonSkaters.com) is not connected to either organisation
in spite of having a very similar web address to the London Skate (www.LondonSkate.com).
This site provides information about skating in general, and in London in
particular. Feel free to read more
about us on the about page.
back to top...
| 
