Kidical Mass (sometimes Kiddical Mass) is an organised bicycle ride for children, often using public roads in towns and cities. The rides are free of charge and open to all, with adults acting as safety marshals. Unlike Critical Mass, the route is planned in advance. Rides are usually between 2 and 5 miles long[1] and may have feeder rides to reach the starting point.
History
editThe name 'Kidical Mass' is a pun on the Critical Mass cycling event and 'kid' meaning 'child'. The name was first used for a ride in Eugene, Oregon which took place 18 April 2008.[2][3]
Kidical Mass rides now take place in cities around the world. International action weekends take place twice a year, in May and September (the latter around World Car Free Day on 22 September).[4]
Purpose
editKidical Mass rides are an opportunity for children to practise riding on public roads and cycling paths, taking advantage of visibility and safety in numbers. They create awareness of children's mobility rights and promote the idea that kids should be able to go by bike to school or to their leisure activities. While connecting and uniting children and their parents, Kidical Mass rides are often also considered protests calling for safer cycling infrastructure.[5]
References
edit- ^ Cycle Sprog, 'Setting up a Kidical Mass event', 15 March 2023.
- ^ Jonathan Maus, 'Eugene gears up for "Kidical Mass"', BikePortland, 8 April 2008.
- ^ "Kidical Mass!". Archived from the original on 13 April 2008. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ Kidical Mass Action Days 2023
- ^ Simon Weedy, ''Kidical Mass' sees child cyclists take to the streets across Europe, Child in the City, 26 May 2022.
External links
edit- Kidical Mass (United States)
- Kidical Mass/Kinder aufs Rad (Germany)
- Kidical Mass Brussels (Belgium)
See also
edit- Bike bus, a regular ride with a set route
- Critical Mass, a cycling protest