Inline skates/roller skates

Where and from what age am I allowed to ride with inline skates/roller skates?

General

Inline skates (Rollerblades®) are a type of roller skate. Unlike traditional roller skates, the wheels of inline skates are positioned one behind the other. Inline skates are used as a means of transport, as well as in sports and leisure activities.

Use

Inline skating/rollerblading is allowed on pavements or footpaths and zebra crossings, in pedestrian zones, on residential and "living streets" (Spielstrassen) and on cycle paths, but not in long-distance cycle lanes.

Age

Children under the age of 12 are only allowed to skate/rollerblade in residential streets. On all other roads open to road traffic they must be supervised by someone over the age of 16 or have a cyclingpass.

Requirements for using the public highway

If inline skates/roller skates are used on the pavement, in a pedestrian zone or on a residential street, users must adjust their speed such that it is appropriate to the speed of pedestrians using these areas. If you are skating on a local cycle path, you must ride in the mandated direction at all times and observe all regulations applicable to cyclists

Legal basis

Section 88a of the Straßenverkehrsordnung (StVO)

Certified translation
Last update: 2 February 2023

Responsible for the content: Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology