Join us for a family-friendly, kid-focused group bike ride this spring! These “Kidical Mass” rides are fun bike parties that demonstrate that streets should be (and can be!) safe to use for all ages. All three rides will feature a pre-ride party and a midpoint stop to enjoy a sweet treat.
| Date | Time | Starting/ending location | Route |
| Friday, March 27th | 5:30p pre-ride party, 6p roll Join us afterward for Critical Mass from the belltower, departing at 7p! | Pullen Park (north parking lots) 520 Ashe Ave, Raleigh, NC 27606 | Strava route |
| Friday, April 10th | 4p pre-ride party, 4:30p roll | Oakwood Park 910 Brookside Dr, Raleigh, NC 27604 | Strava route |
| Friday, May 1st | 3:30p pre-ride party, 4p roll Upon returning, check out the activities and tables at the City of Raleigh’s Bike Bonanza festival! | Dix Park Middleton Dr, Raleigh, NC 27603 Parking available in multiple nearby lots. | Strava route |
Schedule:
Join us for the 30 minutes before the ride begins for chalk art, bike and helmet decorating, music, free safety swag, and complimentary bike checks! Each ride will last around 1 hour depending on the pace of the group and will feature a short mid-ride dessert stop (e.g., freeze pops, popsicles, Italian ice cups; dairy-free options will be available). We’ll then return to the start/end location for more fun and a raffle.
Frequently asked questions:
How long are these rides? Are kids on training wheels or balance bikes allowed?
Our rides will follow a 2-3 mile loop and last approximately 1 hr depending on the pace of the group. All routes contain some short hills and will be most appropriate for participants who are able to balance and pedal two-wheeled bikes. We invite you to bring a balance bike or trike for younger riders to enjoy during the pre-ride party, then use a trailer, cargo bike, or child’s bike seat for them during the ride!
I’m worried we won’t be fast or strong enough!
Every ride will have a sweep and marshals to make sure no rider gets left behind, and we’ll have frequent stops (including our halfway point dessert break!) to make sure the group remains together. We’ll aim to ride at approximately the pace of our slowest group members.
Do I need to bring my own bike?
We strongly encourage you to bring your own bike (and helmet!) for both yourself and your family members. If you need to borrow a child’s or adult’s bike, reach out to our Programs Manager at kat@oaksandspokes.org to inquire about borrowing one from our fleet. Staff from Wake County’s Safe Routes to School program will be on hand to provide free helmets to kids who need one.
Are helmets required?
Yes! By NC law, all children under 16 must wear a helmet. We urge parents and caregivers to model that behavior as well for kids – you are their role models, and helmets prevent traumatic head injuries at all ages. Staff from Wake County’s Safe Routes to School program will be on hand to provide free helmets to kids who need one.
What if we need to stop or leave the ride?
You can stop at any time and walk or ride your bike to the start/end location. Sometimes kids just need a moment, get overwhelmed, get tired, or you’ve got another commitment – we get it! Let the sweep rider know you’re leaving the ride so we don’t think we lost you. We will try to provide an escort/marshal to ride along with you if you’d like.
I don’t have kids (but I’m a kid at heart!) – can I join?
Absolutely! We welcome support from adult volunteers to help marshal and sweep rides, provide traffic control at intersections, and accompany participants who may want to end early. Bring your enthusiasm and prepare for a slow, fun ride!
Routes:
Kidical Mass – March 27 at 6:00 PM from Pullen Park
Kidical Mass – April 10 at 4:30 PM from Oakwood Park
Kidical Mass – May 1 at 4:00 PM from Dix Park
