Events listed here may be local, regional, or national and might be offered virtually, in-person, or both! We invite you to participate in any that interest you, and to contact us if you have an event you'd like to share here.
You can also
Find a local For Our Kids team near you and connect with them to get updates
Sign up for our national network updates & read our latest e-newsletters here
Check out recordings of previous events on our YouTube channel
This event is perfect for families or anyone looking to enjoy a slow ride. Everyone is welcome: participants of all ages, abilities, and caretaking responsibilities (that means you too grandparents, aunts, uncles, babysitters, and community members who love kids!). We will be travelling at a very slow pace. Whether your child is a pro on two wheels or just starting out, this event is perfect for riders of all ages, abilities, and skill levels.
Kidical Mass is an international movement inspired by ‘critical mass’ events held to emphasize the number of people who want to ride bikes and to call for infrastructure improvements. Kidical Mass expands on that idea with a focus on children and families. These events celebrate the joy of biking asking cities to make streets safe for kids and therefore safe for everyone. We believe children should be able to safely and independently travel to school, parks, sports, and other destinations. With climate change already impacting the lives of children, safe streets for kids also means seriously addressing the climate emergency. There are measures – both big and small – that cities like Ottawa can pursue to make this possible (some of our ideas are below).
The City Hall ride will be the first of our 2024 season. More information on our future rides, including "the big one" on September 21 (in collaboration with similar events around the world) will be shared soon. The City Hall ride will be the first of our 2024 season. More information on our future rides, including "the big one" on September 21 (in collaboration with similar events around the world) will be shared soon. You can find all of the dates on our colouring page event poster - print your own copy, colour it in, and post it in your community. Tag us on social media too, we'd love to see the hard work of our local young artists!
Schedule
9:30 AM
Meet at City Hall: decorate bikes, dance, chalk, and bubbles
10:05 AM
Bike Ride Begins! We will ride in a loop along Queen Elizabeth Drive (if the parkway is open for active use) or the Rideau Canal Western Pathway, returning to City Hall.
11:00 AM
Community meet-up alongside other groups. Participants are encouraged to bring snacks or picnics.
Details
Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult and are welcome to ride their own bikes or on board with another rider.
Bright colourful clothing and accessories are encouraged.
We will have some bike decorations, but you are encouraged to bring your own as well.
Sign-up is not required, but it is encouraged so we can get in touch if there are any updates to the event (e.g., weather issues, travel disruptions, etc.).
Let's come together as a community, promote cycling, and create lasting memories. Mark your calendars and get ready for a wheely good time at Kidical Mass Ottawa!
We are also seeking volunteers and donations (prizes, snacks, bike decorations, and services including videography/photography and children’s entertainment). Are you a bike-friendly or kid-friendly individual or business that would like to be involved with this event? Please reach out to [email protected].
About the Event Hosts
Bike Ottawa is a not-for-profit volunteer-based advocacy group. We believe riding a bike in Ottawa should be a fun, safe, and easy choice for all ages and abilities. We are committed to advocating for a vibrant and equitable Ottawa where active transportation plays an important role in year-round mobility.
For Our Kids Ottawa Gatineau is a community of parents, grandparents and families who are concerned about climate change. We organize family-friendly activism and information activities and provide a space to connect and take action together. We strive to be a welcoming place for all parents, guardians, grandparents, caregivers, and community members to connect and act together.
School Streets Ottawa is a coalition of local volunteers along with supporting organizations who advocate for kids to have healthy and safe ways to get to school. Our mission is to have more students using travel modes that are active, safe, and sustainable.
Questions about the event can be sent to [email protected]
What makes streets safer for kids?
