Last August we ran a pilot kids and families event and had a great time at our first Kidical Mass.  Over 40 kids and parents decorated bikes, got some instruction on safe riding, took a slow group ride from Washington Park to Bonnie Brae Ice Cream, ate some of the good stuff, and bicycled right on back! 

Perhaps you’re asking – “what’s Kidical Mass”?  Kidical Mass is a legal, safe and FUN bike ride for kids, kids at heart, and their families. All types of bikes, trailers, trail-a-bikes, Xtracycles, longtails, bakfiets, tandems, trikes, and whatever rolls are welcome.  So come hoot it up with us in 2011 as we introduce the Kidical Mass Program, featuring three great events in 2011 where you can  enjoy family fun on vehicles that don’t impact the environment and celebrate the fact that ”Kids are Traffic Too”.   Learn more about Kidical Mass.

You’ll love our 2011 Kidical Mass programming because it’s got a little something for everyone.   Two tracks of bike education for kids will be available, from the ready-to-take-off-the-training-wheels set to the ready-to-ride-on-the roadways group.  We’ve got a wealth of experience to draw from!  Board members Dave and Cassiope and Advocacy Director Maggie are hard at work on curriculum.  By day, Dave works with the Safe Routes to School national effort, and both Dave and Maggie are former Directors of Education at Bicycle Colorado, our state advocacy group.  We’ve also got a team of volunteers lined up and their trainings are starting this month!

Check out where we’ll be this summer!:

June 5 – Cheesman Park / Botanic Gardens:  Enjoy the great views and new road surfaces at Cheesman Park, and get free admission to the children’s garden at Botanic Gardens after!

July 16 -  Highlands / Firehouse #17:  You’ve always wanted to slide down the firepole. And in July, you might just need to cool off with the fire hose.  Denver’s finest are going to make this an afternoon to remember.

August 20 – City Park / Denver Zoo:  We love City Park.  And we love the Denver Zoo!  Nuff said.

Want to sign up?  Each event will be limited to 100 participants.  We’ll have an online sign up posted on this article soon, so please check back often!   We need a few more volunteers to help the Kidical committee out, too.  Are you great with kids? 

>Sign up as a volunteer here!

Our Focus at Kidical Mass:

- Personal responsibility (obey traffic laws and no group movements through stop signs and lights)

-Have fun!

-Get a treat (like visits to the Botanic Gardens, Firehouse #17 and the Denver Zoo)

-Outreach to families

-A short FUN in-park program for beginners, and short FUN for more advanced riders via a route that avoids busy streets when possible

-Some “street presence” so we are seen and recognized out there

-Getting the kids and families  involved! You’ll do artwork, tell family &  friends, and most importantly- come to the ride!