# Kidical Mass

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**Kidical Mass** (sometimes **Kiddical Mass**) is an organised [bicycle](/source/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](/source/Critical_Mass_(cycling)), the route is planned in advance. Rides are usually between 2 and 5 miles long[1] and may have [feeder rides](/source/Feeder_ride) to reach the starting point.

## History

The name 'Kidical Mass' is a [pun](/source/Pun) on the [Critical Mass](/source/Critical_Mass_(cycling)) cycling event and '[kid](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/kid)' meaning 'child'. The name was first used for a ride in [Eugene, Oregon](/source/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](/source/World_Car_Free_Day) on 22 September).[4]

## Purpose

Kidical Mass rides are an opportunity for children to practise riding on public roads and cycling paths, taking advantage of visibility and [safety in numbers](/source/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

1. Cycle Sprog, '[Setting up a Kidical Mass event](https://www.cyclesprog.co.uk/campaigning/setting-up-a-kidical-mass-event/)', 15 March 2023.

1. Jonathan Maus, '[Eugene gears up for "Kidical Mass"](https://bikeportland.org/2008/04/08/eugene-gears-up-for-kidical-mass-7153)', *BikePortland*, 8 April 2008.

1. ["Kidical Mass!"](http://www.kidicalmass.org/). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080413181810/http://www.kidicalmass.org/) 13 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 24 March 2023.

1. [Kidical Mass Action Days 2023](https://kidsonbike.org/kidical-mass-action-days-2023/)

1. Simon Weedy, '['Kidical Mass' sees child cyclists take to the streets across Europe](https://www.childinthecity.org/2022/05/26/kidical-mass-sees-child-cyclists-take-to-the-streets-across-europe/), *Child in the City*, 26 May 2022.

## External links

- [Kidical Mass](https://kidicalmass.org/) (Eugene, OR United States)
- [East Bay Kidical Mass](https://www.eastbaykidicalmass.org/) (Berkeley/Oakland California United States)
- [Local Motion Kidical Mass](https://www.localmotion.org/kidical_mass) Burlington (Vermont United States
- [Kidical Mass Albuquerque](https://www.instagram.com/kidicalmassabq/) (New Mexico United States)
- [Ride Portland Kidical Mass](https://www.instagram.com/kidicalmasspdx/) Oregon United States
- [Kidical Mass/Kinder aufs Rad](https://kidsonbike.org/) (Germany, Europe and beyond)
- [Kidical Mass Brussels](https://www.kidicalmass.brussels/) (Belgium)

## See also

- [Bike bus](/source/Bike_bus), a regular ride with a set route
- [Critical Mass](/source/Critical_Mass_(cycling)), a cycling protest

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Kidical Mass](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kidical_Mass) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kidical_Mass?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.