I tagged along with the Kidical Mass crowd on Sunday. There was a hailstorm and a rainstorm in the 30 minutes before the ride started, but the crowd massed at Overlook Park. We then rode as a group to Arbor Lodge Park. That’s a few miles, which is a lot for small tots who are happily pedaling along.

Being my first Kidical Mass, I got to see neighborhood parkways from a new point of view. Not only did I notice impatient car drivers more than otherwise, but a few of the road crossings (like crossing Greeley at Williams) seemed insurmountable.

Anyhow, it was a fun event, I’m especially proud of the above shot- capturing the uninhibited glee of the kids.

From Portland’s first Kidical Mass in 2008.
(Photos: J.Maus/BikePortland)

Kidical Mass PDX, the tradition of family bike rides each month exploring neighborhoods around Portland, will hold its annual planning meeting one week from Saturday and is inviting anyone who might have ideas to join in.

“We’ve had a pretty stable leadership the last few years, and that’s been great,” said Katie Proctor, who took the handlebars of Kidical Mass in 2010. “But we also are feeling a little set in our ways, so we’re looking for new blood to come in and shake things up.”

[Read more…]

Mayor Sam Adams, shown here at a Safe Routes to School event in June 2010, is scheduled to attend February’s KidicalMass ride.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

[*Please note: This article originally said Adams would attend the ride. Unfortunately there was a mix-up with organizers and his staff and we have now learned he is not 100% confirmed. He has been invited, he’s “interested in attending,” but he has not yet committed to it. — JM]

Portland’s beloved Kidical Mass is back for 2012 and, along with already having events scheduled through the end of the year, they’re expecting the Mayor to join in on the fun this month.
[Read more…]

Kidical Mass will end at a puppet
show next month.
(Photo © J. Maus)

After news spread earlier this month about Oregon House Representative Mitch Greenlick’s law proposal that would ban kids six years and under from riding on (or being pulled behind) bikes with their parents, Kidical Mass organizers felt their ride would be a fitting way to demonstrate their opposition to the bill.

On January 15th, despite rain-soaked skies, about 50 people showed up to ride through the streets of Sellwood. Ride organizer Katie Proctor invited Rep. Greenlick to join them but he had a prior commitment (House Rep. Jules Bailey did attend). This month, Proctor once again invited Greenlick, but he has declined the invitation.
[Read more…]

Kidical Massers in Sellwood.
(Photos: Paul Manson/Flickr)

[Read more…]

Kidical Mass rallies the family biking troops.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Moms, dads, and kid-lovers throughout the state have gotten fired up over the family biking legislation that’s made headlines this week. Many of them plan to join the monthly Kidical Mass ride which will be held this Saturday in Sellwood. Joining them will be Oregon House Representative Jules Bailey.[Read more…]

This just in from Kidical Mass Headquarters…. Full details on this month’s ride (which happens on Sat, 11/20):

Family Fun Bike Ride Plans Tour de Pie

Portland, OR — November 9, 2010 — The Thanksgiving holiday is all about gathering with friends and family, giving thanks for our blessings, and eating pie. Lots of pie. Portland’s monthly family fun bike ride will celebrate these traditions with a “Tour de Pie” in close-in SE.

The Kidical Mass Tour de Pie will be a rolling exploration of southeast Portland’s pie establishments. Stops are not yet finalized, but will likely include pizza pie, fried pie, and of course the traditional baked-in-a-flaky-crust pumpkin pie.[Read more…]

The ride heads down Alder,
en route to a zombie-infested
Pioneer Square.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Kidical Mass made its return to Portland in fine style on Saturday. The turnout was small (just a handful of families), but the group was fun and friendly. We met up under the colorful fall leaves of the South Park Blocks and mingled a bit before being corralled by ride organizer Katie Proctor.[Read more…]