Hundreds Take Part in Guildford’s Kidical Ride As Part Of Cleaner Air Day

Published on: 1 Oct, 2024
Updated on: 1 Oct, 2024

The kids head out with a marshal in the lead.

Children and parents took to the streets on their bikes to celebrate Guildford’s Cleaner Air Day on Sunday (September 29).

The mass ride was one of hundreds taking place in towns and cities all over the world this month. The Kidical Mass ride was calling for a better cycle route network to tackle air pollution and give residents transport choices.

See video here.

The sound of bike bells filled the air as the 230 children and parents cycled in a colourful mass group around the town centre on Sunday to call for more safe cycle routes in Guildford.

Passing the London Road/Waterden Road junction.

There were toddlers in child seats and trailers or scooting along on balance bikes, alongside older children riding independently. All shared a sense of joyful excitement to be cycling together on the road – many for the first time.

While the children cycled a loop from G Live, up Stoke Road and around Stoke Park, a team of marshals pedalled alongside to keep everyone safe. The organisers said would like to thank everyone who waited patiently in their cars for the children to pass and gave encouraging waves.

MP Zöe Franklin has her face painted

Guildford MP Zöe Franklin attended to wave the children off at the start and show her support – even getting her face painted with a bike stencil.

Cllr Paul Deach (Con, Frimley Green & Mytchett), deputy cabinet member for Environment at Surrey County Council, joined for the third time to cycle alongside the children.

The ride took part on the same day as Guildford Borough Council’s Cleaner Air Day event, and participants attached signs to their bikes saying ‘Pedal power’ and ‘This is a clean air machine’.

Air pollution is a significant concern in Guildford, with parts of the town breaching legal limits for levels of nitrogen dioxide. Road transport is the main source of these emissions, which worsen respiratory illness and asthma. However, 60% of car journeys in England are under five miles, a distance which can be easily cycled within half an hour.

E-bikes can make this even easier, said Mark Percival, a father of one living in Shalford who joined the ride on his electric cargo bike.

Mark Percival with his electric cargo bike.

He said, “I’m seeing more parents using these for the school run now, I used to be the only one. I think the new Beryl e-bike hire scheme will be good to let more people try them out.

The new Beryl e-bikes in Guildford

“But we know the biggest barrier for most people is not feeling safe on the roads. There’s a real demand for more separated routes, which is why we’re all here today. We need to improve transport options so people don’t feel like their only choice is to drive across town to take their kids to school.”

Sophie Gordon, one of the ride organisers, explained what would make people feel safer cycling around Guildford.

“Councillors will be meeting soon to decide whether to go ahead with the cycling and walking improvements on London Road through Burpham. We urge them to approve the plans and do the right thing for all these kids around me who want to be able to cycle to school or to their friend’s house. They deserve the freedom to do that.

“Look how many kids you see going to school on the cycle path opposite the Spectrum now – they never would have cycled along the A25. It makes such a difference.”