Harley parade draws 20,000 motorcycles to close European Bike Week

Nearly 20,000 motorcycles took part in Saturday’s Harley parade, bringing the 28th European Bike Week to a close in the Villach, Faak am See and Ossiacher See region, ORF reported. Tourism officials said the event generated 150,000 overnight stays and around 30 million euros in economic value.

Police traffic department head Adolf Winkler said officers used established plans developed through decades of experience with the Harley gathering. A large police deployment secured the parade and carried out traffic checks.

There were no serious accidents this year, Winkler said. Police confiscated fewer licence plates and driving licences than in previous years, but continued to enforce a zero-tolerance policy on alcohol and drugs.

Klaus Ehrenbrandtner, managing director of Kärnten Werbung, the region’s tourism organisation, said the event provided an important boost at the end of the summer tourism season. Held around the end of the school holidays and the transition into the autumn holidays, it brought many international visitors to Carinthia.

Ehrenbrandtner said some visitors first discover the region during motorcycle rides at Bike Week and later return with their families for holidays.

Sven Kielgas, an event coordinator for Harley-Davidson Europe, also gave a positive assessment. He said the six-day event focused on motorcycles, music, shared experiences and enthusiasm for Harley-Davidson.

Preparations for the next edition have already begun. The 29th European Bike Week will take place from September 7 to 12, 2027.