It’s an event that has become not just widely popular, but solidified Long Beach’s place as an innovator in pushing forward with bicycling culture.
Enter Kidical Mass, Blair Cohn’s counter to what he calls “the whole angry issue of Critical Mass versus the City of Long Beach.” Critical Mass is a series of monthly rides that involve bicyclists overtaking streets, sometimes in such numbers that cars are diverted. Originating in San Francisco, the mass rides were often considered a form of political protest in order to engage cities with the demands of cyclists.
Kidical Mass which is celebrating its one-year anniversary, flipped the concept, drawing some 300 kids and family members by luring them with the prize of Georgie’s Place ice cream at the end of the ride–and in the meantime, now welcomes imitators (hello, Santa Monica!) as well as kids and adults being introduced to the old-school tradition of pedaling.
“We asked LBPD to have bike officers in front of the pack leading us out rather than chasing from behind,” Cohn said. “We thought it would just be an annual thing but then decided to add it to our monthly mix of events that could tie the local community to our businesses.”
This monthly event then became attached to a passport that kids and adults alike could get stamped; the more you get, the more likely you are to win prizes this upcoming Sunday when Kidical Mass officially celebrates its first anniversary.
The popularity of the event is unquestionable as proven by other cities picking up the idea and even keeping the name.
“A few months ago someone from Santa Monica called us to see how to put on the event,” said Cohn. “We told them, ‘You just put it on! Pick a location and nice route and the people will come.'”
Before you know it, Santa Monica–per usual the tale of the media perception of Long Beach–was found on television screens everywhere. Of course, this didn’t phase Cohn.
“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery–and we imitated San Luis Obispo and Eugene, Oregon,” Cohn explained. “We are determined to be the largest monthly Kidical Mass event in the country.”
And who needs imitation when you have a five-year-old–honored last year by Kidical Mass with the “Iron Man Award” since she was one of the youngest riders and didn’t complain once–having her birthday party where? At Kidical Mass.
Kiddical Mass’ 2st Anniversary ride leaves Georgie’s Place at 1PM Saturday, May 19. For more information about Kiddical Mass, visit bixbyknollsinfo.com/kidicalmass.html
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