Brighton families riding for better cycling infrastructure

Riders will meet in different parks around Brighton and Hove before cycling “en masse” through the streets.

The event, called Kidical Mass, is organised by several cycling groups and calls for Brighton and Hove City Council to “make our city safer” for cyclists and pedestrians.

It comes after around 300 riders joined the first protest cycle around the city on September 23 last year.

Families outside Hove Town Hall in September last year (Image: Alex Bamford)

Iliana Koutsou, of Bricycles which is one of the ride organisers, said: “Kidical Mass in September had three times as many people as expected and was great fun.

“It showed how much people, including families, want safe routes for riding on bicycles.

“It's great that the council have now pledged to complete the cycle lane from the Palace Pier to Valley Gardens, but we need them to increase the pace and scale of creating more cycle lanes. We’re therefore going to ride again, but bigger and louder this time.”

The protest is taking place on the afternoon of April 28.

The meeting locations are Wish Park, Hove Park, The Level and Black Rock. Riders will then go to the Peace Statue on Hove seafront before riding around the city centre.

Cycling along Hove seafront last year (Image: Alex Bamford)

Dr Dan Roberts from Clean Air For Brighton And Hove said: "As an A&E doctor, every day I see the effects of air pollution, inactivity and unsafe cycle infrastructure.

"Making our city an easy place for everyone to cycle will save lives – directly through preventing accidents but also by reducing air pollution and increasing exercise.”

Kidical Mass Brighton and Hove is organised by Bricycles, Brighton Bike Hub, Brighton Multicultural Women’s Cycling Club, Clean Air For Brighton And Hove and Old Shoreham Road Bike Train. It is funded by The Big Bike Revival.