Make it safe and kids will bike
300 kids and their grown-ups did a group ride in Oakland this weekend
This weekend, I helped a children’s bike ride around Lake Merritt in Oakland called “Kidical Mass.” At the event, about 300 children and their adults rode a ~3.5 mile loop around Lake Merritt. At the end, there was a celebration at a plaza with some popsicles. It was a beautiful and joyous time. Organizing one takes a bit of work, but you can do it too. Details on how are below.
My role was fairly easy– I was one of dozens of volunteers who helped make sure the kids were safe from cars by blocking/redirecting traffic (and in the lead up to the event I helped put up flyers and invited some dignitaries to join in)
The event was a huge success for the riders and sent a powerful message to the entire Oakland community– people want to be safe while biking! We also passed out flyers so people could sign the petition calling for safe bike routes around the entire Lake. Due to the leadership from Oakland’s Mayor Thao and Council President Bas (who joined us at the event!), the east side of the lake is getting protected starting this year. The west side is already protected (and the south side sorta is). But the North side is dangerous and plans for the redesign aren’t finalized yet.
Want to organize your own Kidical Mass? Here’s the key steps.
Pick a route very carefully. Kids of all ages managed to do the 3.5 mile loop but it took a while. Plan on going slowly
Recruit volunteers. You will need lots. The East Bay Kidical Mass had volunteers to:
help direct/block car traffic to protect the kids. The blockers would ride ahead and stop cross traffic so the kids could bike through safely. On a particularly dangerous road, we set up cones to block cars from following behind the kids until the kids were cleared.
Lead the ride
A “sweeper” to make sure no one is left behind
A medic (just in case!)
A mechanic (also just in case)
A radio-person. The ride was so big it was great having walkie-talkies so volunteers could stay in contact. For example, blockers could get called into different positions as needed and the sweeper could update the ride leader about their location.
Test the route (again and again) with the volunteers. Minimize points of potential conflict and stress.
Set up a registration page and spread the invite. Share it with parent’s groups, school clubs, post flyers near playgrounds, parks and school.
Invite the community, elected officials and media.
*Bonus* pass out flyers explaining the event and with a call-to-action to people you pass by.
Have fun and take lots of pictures!
*Bonus* have popsicles for everyone to enjoy at the end
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