Glow Ride 2024 – let’s light up the streets of Reading!

Light up your bike and join Kidical Mass Reading and Reading Cycle Campaign for their annual Glow Ride at 7pm on Wednesday 20 November.

This is a cheery 5km ride around Reading. The ride leader will keep the ride to a social pace, and afterwards anyone who would like to is welcome to join us at the pub for more conversation and camaraderie.

The ride exists to highlight the need for well lit bike infrastructure to help remove barriers to cycling all year round. Many bike routes are remote and unlit, and in Winter cyclists are often faced with the unsavoury choice of cycling in the dark or tangling with traffic on well lit (but busy) roads.

Women in particular are 84% less likely to cycle in the dark compared to men, at least in part because they perceive darkness as less socially safe. People who are a bit older are also less likely to cycle in the dark than their younger peers as the risk of injury due to a fall increases too.

We need routes that are inclusive and support people to cycle safely all year round.

When cycling on roads with cars and other vehicles being seen and visible is important for safety and Kidical Mass will be able to give out bike lights to those who might be struggling to afford lights this year, thanks to a grant by Reading Borough Council.

This year’s ride starts outside Thames Lido 19:00 and will finish at Fisherman’s Cottage. Cyclists of all ages and abilities are welcome. Come and help us light up the night!