Sunshine, Cycling and School Runs
In June Kidical Mass and friends ran family friendly rides in both Reading and Wokingham. The Wokingham ride from the bikeathon was especially popular with over 100 bikes taking part.
In Reading the route we took was much easier to ride than it would have been a few years ago. We enjoyed the ride along the Kennet with the wide bike path which passes Huntley Wharf and very much appreciated the shortened boom barrier on Chestnut Walk which made it much easier to pass that way (see below).
Cycling back through the tunnel under the station (see below) – another campaigning win of recent years – was a great reminder of the value of pushing for safer connected bike routes throughout Reading. And where they exist, they are glorious!
We are now heading back into a new academic year. If your family is considering taking the school run on a bike, then do come down to Reading Cycling Festival on Christchurch Meadows on Sunday 13 September. We will be running a family friendly ride and will be happy to discuss our experience of different setups for transporting children.
Within our ride team we have experience of and can answer questions about child seats, trailers, tagalongs, follow-me-tandems, actual tandems, triplets, long tail cargo e-bikes and box bikes. And that’s just the setups my husband (and Kidical Mass ride leader) Simon has tried out!
Our children are getting a bit older now and enjoy riding independently on their own bikes whenever possible.
It’s noticeable that if they ride the route to school, they arrive in a better mood than they set off in. Getting the body moving is a great way to start the school day.
After the cycle festival, if you are interested in joining our Halloween or Christmas rides later in the year, please keep an eye on our website kidicalmassreading.co.uk for more details.
Hilary Smart
