Kidical Mass North safe cycling campaigners plan a right royal day of action in Inverness to coincide with King Charles' coronation
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It promises to be the jewel in the crown of a Europe-wide campaign to create safer cycling cities.
Coinciding King Charles’ coronation on May 6, Kidical Mass North will rally Inverness bicycle and active travel enthusiasts as part of an international effort to champion family-friendly and cycle-friendly streets.
Local campaigners, now in their second year of action, hope the royal flavour to the day of action will add momentum to efforts to encourage changes in how we shape our streets and move about our cities.
It follows Saturday’s successful event between Bellfield Park and the Highland Archive Centre which saw more than 75 colourfully-clad riders take part.
On May 6 and 7, Kidical Mass rides will take place across Europe involving more than 200 grassroots groups. Last year some 400,000 campaigners demonstrated in 15 countries.
Sara Ramsey from Kidical Mass North said: “The first weekend in May is the annual Kidical Mass action weekend.
“This is where every city that runs a Kidical Mass, bike bus or school street across Europe comes together to campaign for safer streets for all.
“Every person riding or wheeling is one less car to be ‘traffic’, making for cleaner air and safer streets for everyone.
“For UK residents, the long weekend of the coronation provides extra time to celebrate and we hope to bring that street party/fete feel with our biggest ride of the year.”
All Kidical Mass events are open to all ages and abilities on bikes, trikes, tandems, scooters and wheelchairs.
Organisers described Saturday's rally as “fabulous”, with an explosion of colour among riders including a yellow tandem, a Babboe Curve e-tricycle and a stand-out James' cycling adventures disability bike.
A Highland Toy Swap stand, bubble magician, smoothie bike also proved big hits with families.
Kidical Mass North was established in 2021 and holds monthly rides around the city for all ages and abilities.
The group campaigns for cycle-friendly streets and promotes the mental and physical health benefits of cycling, as well as the benefits in reduced pollution and the fight against climate change.
It also points out that cycling is a cheaper and healthier way for kids to get to school and adults to get to work.
