A growing peloton is mobilising ahead of national Bike Week to push for cycle-safe streets across Birmingham, Wolverhampton and beyond.
Next week, June 9 to 15, is both Bike Week, showcasing how cycling can fit into daily life, and Great Big Green Week, a UK-wide celebration of climate change action.
Better Streets for Birmingham
Today, Friday June 6, campaign group Better Streets for Birmingham is holding its monthly ‘Circle The City’ ride from the Council House through Digbeth, the Aston University campus, the Gun Quarter, the Jewellery Quarter and Ladywood before returning to Victoria Square.
John Munro of Better Streets for Birmingham said the purpose of the ride is “to have fun and to make a point.”
He said: The fun comes from riding together in relative safety, enjoying the city, and meeting and making friends on a ride that’s welcome to all.
“The point we are making is that while Birmingham has a few bits of cycling infrastructure in a couple of places, some of which we incorporate into our route, the city as a whole is a dangerous and unpleasant place for people trying to move around by one of the most affordable, efficient, and healthy ways to do so.”
Kidical Mass – credit Sam Qusai.Kidical Mass in Wolverhampton
Meanwhile in Wolverhampton, Kidical Mass – a partnership between Wolverhampton City Council, Transport for West Midlands and health and wellbeing social enterprise No Limits to Health CIC – returns for a second year on Saturday June 14 with a group ride from East Park to the Molineux Stadium.The purpose is to celebrate local cycling infrastructure and encourage Wolverhampton residents to explore the city on two wheels.
Sam Henry, who set up Kidical Mass Wolverhampton last year, said it was “a great way to encourage masses of citizens to embark on a journey for health for the sake of their children”.
He added: “Safety is the big, golden word running through this event. We are making the city safe for cycling”
