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Vienna — On September 19, 2025, the city’s streets once again transformed into a playground for wheels and lights as thousands of cyclists and skaters gathered for Friday Night Skating, a weekly summer tradition organized by the Green Party. Starting each year in May and running until the end of September, the event aims to promote sustainable mobility, encourage fitness, and show how enjoyable car-free streets can be.
Together with my son and daughter, I joined the September 19 more or less 35 kilometers ride. The meeting point was the iconic Maria-Theresien-Platz in the heart of Vienna, where the atmosphere was buzzing well before the 9 p.m. start. Riders of all ages — families, students, seasoned cyclists, and first-timers — mingled in the square, their bikes decorated with lights and reflectors, creating a festival-like mood.
Once the procession set off, the group moved like a river of wheels through Vienna’s streets. The highlight of the night was the route: the Austrian Highway near Floridsdorf, closed completely to cars for the occasion. Experiencing the highway without traffic was both surreal and exhilarating. Instead of the roar of engines, the night air was filled with the whir of tires, laughter, and the occasional beat of music playing from portable speakers.
For me, the most memorable part was sharing this moment with my children. Cycling side by side, we encouraged each other on the inclines, raced a little on the open stretches, and marveled together at the rare chance to ride freely on such a vast, normally car-dominated road. It was more than exercise; it was an adventure that gave us a new way of seeing the city.
By the end of the ride, we were tired but deeply satisfied. Friday Night Skating is more than a fun outing — it’s a vivid reminder of what cities can feel like when people, not cars, take center stage. For one night each week, Vienna shows that mobility can be healthy, communal, and joyful.
- Hector Pascua/picture: Facebook
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