Namur assessment after 4 Roller Parades Already 1,500 roller fans: things are rolling on Tuesdays!

Every Tuesday, the number of participants increases significantly. Last Tuesday, 450 took to the starting line. All residents of central Namur and the outskirts have likely spotted the Belgium Rollers Summer Tour procession. Every Tuesday evening since early July, roller-skating enthusiasts have had the opportunity to take part in this remarkably friendly event. Since the initiative was launched in early July, it is not uncommon to spot Namur residents in pajamas, leaning on their windowsills to watch the procession go by! Initiated by Carl de Moncharline, this event visits several major Belgian cities each week. In Namur, the operation is run in collaboration with the City. Yesterday, Alderman for Sports Frédéric Laloux and police representatives presented an initial assessment of the operation. No accidents There is no doubt about it: all partners display clear optimism: things are rolling along smoothly for roller fans in Namur. This is borne out by the initial statistics after four rides held since the start of the summer. As for the figures, a cumulative total of around 1,500 participants was recorded, about 30% of whom came from outside Namur. Regarding accidents, the record is also positive: not a single major issue noted so far, apart from four minor injuries. A final boast: the route offered in Namur is said to be one of the most popular. All that's left is for you to give it a try... TO NOTE City Sports Department: tel. 081/303.885 or www.belgiumrollers.com NEW MEASURES Cyclists: out of the procession From a small group of 150 participants during the first parade in Namur, organizers have noted growing enthusiasm for the weekly event. Last Tuesday, 450 were in the procession! To supervise participants, a team of Namur police officers, the "roller cops," are present every Tuesday. However, in light of the increased turnout, new measures will be taken (normally starting this Tuesday) to improve safety. Thus, cyclists will be asked no longer to ride within the procession, but behind the broom wagon. "It is clear that this is not a cycling tour," declared Alderman Laloux. "We do not want to exclude them from the event, but it was becoming difficult to supervise them at the same time as the other participants."