Kidical Mass cycle ride returns to Inverness this weekend

A family-friendly mass cycle ride will return to the streets of Inverness this weekend as campaigners renew their call for safer streets.

The Kidical Mass North ride is part of a worldwide organisation, with rides happening across the UK and Europe.

Organisers say people of all ages and abilities are welcome to join the ride, with a variety of bikes, trikes, recumbents, tandems, scooters and wheelchairs expected.

The ride begins at Bellfield Park at 1.30pm on Saturday, March 4, and follows a route through the city to the Highland Archive Centre, where there will be fun activities, snacks and "surprises".

A spokeswoman for Kidical Mass North said: "Cycling is a fun way to get around, and for short journeys it is often quicker, and definitely cheaper. It is a great way for kids to get to school, adults to get to work, and it is much better for us.

"It keeps us fit, improves mental wellbeing, and it also reduces air pollution. Air pollution causes increased cases of asthma and lung problems in children.

"Traffic and idling cars near schools leads to poor air quality in the playgrounds as children play or enter and leave school. We want better for our children. We want them to have clean air to breathe and safe streets to cycle, wheel or walk to school.

"Reducing our reliance on private motor vehicles is giving the next generation a cleaner, safer, healthier future."

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