Kidical Mass Manchester: 9 great photos as hundreds of cyclists ride through the city centre

Hundreds of cyclists of all ages made a colourful spectacle as they rode through the streets of Manchester city centre in a mass participation event.

Organisers of Kidical Mass Manchester said more than 400 people pedalled from St Peter’s Square to Whitworth Park on Sunday (14 May). The event was organised by a group of parents who want to see the city become a safer and better place for active travel, especially for children.

Lots of children and families were able to enjoy two-wheeled travel through the middle of Manchester as the two-wheeled procession made its way from the start point outside the Central Library along Deansgate and Oxford Road.

As well as celebrating how fun active travel can be, Kidical Mass Manchester wants to also remind the authorities that walking, wheeling and cycling can help the city tackle major issues such as high levels of air pollution or its response to climate change. And it is hoped the ride will help to focus minds on the need for more segregated routes in Manchester so cycling in the city becomes less dangerous.

Layla Siebert, one of the organisers, said: “The fact that so many people have joined this ride shows how much demand there is for families wanting to get about by bike. We know that it’s good for us, it’s good for our communities and it’s good for the planet. But at the moment it isn’t always safe or possible because of the lack of joined up cycling infrastructure. We’d love to see more places across the region made accessible to all different types of bikes.”

Organisers are now hoping to put on more, similar rides in the future. In the meantime, enjoy these nine photos of cyclists from the inaugural event.