Kidical Mass gets families rolling

By Ted Villaire

As is the case with any enjoyable bike ride, Kidical Mass rides start with face-painting and bike-decorating. Then, after safety instruction and bike checks, the kids and their parents start exploring their neighborhood as a group.

“The idea is get the kids comfortable riding on the streets and learning basic principles of bike safety,” said Jason Greenberg, one of the Kidical Mass organizers. “We have fun, but we also teach them topics such as using hand signals and riding single file.”

Kidical Mass rides, which last between 40 and 60 minutes, have already taken place in recent months in the Logan Square and Lincoln Square neighborhoods. The initial success of these prompted organizers to start holding monthly rides in Logan Square and a regular ride that takes place in a different Chicago neighborhood each month. (One neighborhood ride is planned for the Rogers Park Neighborhood and one is under discussion for the Pilsen and UIC area.)

Greenberg said this is the first children’s ride that occurs on a regular basis. “The kids are having a great time,” he said. “We want it to be a fun, positive experience.”

Ted Villaire is a writer and editor for Active Trans.

Coming up...

As weather allows, Kidical Mass will hit a different neighborhood on third Saturdays of the month. The next of these floating neighborhood rides will be held in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood on May 15. Monthly rides will also take place in the Logan Square neighborhood on the second Saturday of the month. Keep an eye on the Active Trans calendar for information about these regular rides.

Parents and kids interested in organizing Kidical Mass rides in their neighborhood can get in touch with Jason Greenberg at artworksdesign@ameritech.net.