Kidical Mass once again brought fun by the bikeload to the streets of Norwich last Saturday. Peter Silburn reports on a ride where the smiles were infectious
The family-oriented bike ride attracted over 60 riders who – if only briefly – took over the streets of the city. This was the fourth Kidical Mass since the inaugural ride last year and was blessed with perfect early autumn weather.
Riders of all ages and sizes joined in the fun as we took a circular ride around Norwich.
The ride followed a 2.8mile route past the cathedral and across the river at St Georges Street Bridge, taking in a loop up and down St Benedicts Street (much to the delight of diners sitting outside) before returning past City Hall to Chapelfield Gardens.
There were two sound systems providing music on the move and there was much ringing of bicycle bells!
The vision behind Kidical Mass is that all children and young people can safely and independently use cycles as a mode of travel. The movement calls for a greater focus on the vulnerability of children and enabling their independent and safe mobility.
This is patently lacking on UK streets which is what inspired the ride in the first place. Demands include separate cycle lanes and low urban speed limits, along with school streets and cycle lane networks.
Kidical Mass is a fun bike ride for kids of all ages but it carries the serious message of highlighting the need for better cycle infrastructure so all can enjoy getting about the city by bike.
At the end of the ride the kids were invited to write postcards to Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council’s cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, asking for more and better cycle infrastructure in Norwich so that they can ride their bikes in safety every day of the year.
Over 50 postcards were completed on the day. These will be delivered to County Hall next Saturday as part of the SafeStreetsNow day of action.
Will Graham Plant respond and make our streets safe for everyone?
The next Norwich Kidical Mass ride will likely be in May next year. Follow Kidical Mass Norwich on Facebook to be kept up to date.
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Just lovely! Lovely photos too. Just seeing you all cycling so happily around the city will surely inspire others to join you next time. I just wish I could be one of them.