Kidical Mass in Inverness ride out on Saturday to raise awareness in the hope of getting safer streets for cycling

Young cyclists in Inverness are set to join riders across Europe this weekend as part of calls to make streets safer for everyone.

Kidical Mass groups include parents and children who take part in regular bike rides to raise awareness of the barriers that people, in particular children, face to cycling.

The rides are fun, safe environments for families and friends to cycle together.

This weekend the kids taking part in Inverness will be joining around 200 groups across Europe to show that cities need to work for children too.

The Inverness group started when the council removed spaces for people measures last year which organisers claimed made it more dangerous to cycle.

Those taking part want to see cycle lanes that are separate from the roads and connected together so it’s safe and easy for people to get around by bike for short journeys.

Bridie Barnett, hospital doctor and mum of two, said: "Our streets and our cities belong to children too. At the moment, getting around by bike in Inverness just isn’t safe enough to let our children do it on their own, which is why we’re calling for the council to make changes.

"Making the city more child-friendly will make it a better place to live for everyone else too, and encourage people to use their bikes for getting around without being nervous of doing so.

"It’s really great to be riding at the same time as so many people all over Europe – it shows that what we want to see here is universal – safer streets make all of our communities better places to live.

"It is lovely to see the kids excited to be wheeling along together, some on scooters, some with their balance bikes, or their stabilisers newly removed, so proud to be travelling under their own steam."

• The ride will begin at 1.30pm on Saturday from Bellfield Park, Inverness, and is open for everyone to join in.

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