So you've got kids now, and want to ride with them on Chicago's streets? One way to begin is to join a Kidical Mass family bike ride in your neighborhood. Kidical Mass rides (it's a play on the words "Critical Mass") are volunteer-led, volunteer-organized, free family bike rides held in a number of neighborhoods, including Logan Square, Roscoe Village, South Loop, Lincoln Square and Edison Park. (Chicago Kidical Mass has a website as well as a Facebook page.)
Lincoln Park's rides began two years ago, and have become popular events. Jerry Quandt, former aldermanic candidate and active Bike Walk Lincoln Park participant, is taking over as Lincoln Park Kidical Mass ride coordinator, and he has announced the season's full schedule:
Most of the monthly rides will be held on Sunday afternoons at 4:00 pm, but the first ride on Saturday, May 30th will be at 9:30 am, and then end at the Spring Zing event sponsored by Lincoln Central Association. That event will have pros from Performance Bicycle providing free safety check ups on bikes, and a team from Lurie Children's Hospital giving a demonstration on bike safety for kids.
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These rides are a great way to meet families who are interested in family biking. All ages of kids are welcomed, including teens, who could help out by keeping the littler kids safely corralled. Even if you don't have any cute kids to participate in the ride, you're welcome to come and help out by serving as a "blocker" at intersections, or the "caboose" at the back of the group.
A Lincoln Park Kidical Mass bike ride in September 2013. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park) |
The rides will go forth, rain or shine! Meet up in Oz Park, at the playground (approximately 657 West Webster Avenue). You don't have to live in Lincoln Park to participate!
If you have questions, would like to be added to the LP Kidical Mass mailing list, or want to let Jerry know you can volunteer to help out with the ride, drop a line to:
LPKidicalMass@gmail.com
More information and background about the rides is in this DNA Info Chicago article.
Hope to see you at Kidical Mass!
Whoaaa! finally schedule is here. Looking forward to attending it :)
ReplyDeleteMy kids will be thrilled. Thanks
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