Salem Reaches Kidical Mass!

You can do it too!

2011-04-19T12:43:00.000-07:00

You can help make a 2011 Kidical Mass season possible.

I'm looking for Kidical Mass enthusiasts to join a committee to help coordinate the 2011 rides. Are you interested? Send an email to kidicalmasssalem@gmail.com for more information.

What would your role be as a member of the Kidical Mass Committee? You can be involved as much or as little as you have time and interest. However, all Committee members will be asked to take on one or more of the various tasks needed to make Kidical Mass a fun and successful event. Tasks can be split or shared among different Committee members, such as:
* Develop ride themes
* Develop ride routes
* Lead rides
* Participate in rides as a chaperone or volunteer
* Seek out donors and other fundraising
* Recruit new riders and volunteers
* Promote rides via social networking tools
* Send emails to Kidical Mass riders about upcoming events
* Write and send press releases
* Update the Kidical Mass blog
* Develop on-going community connections
* Help brainstorm and implement ideas for how Kidical Mass can be a bigger, better, and more sustainable event

Committee members will also be asked to attend regular meetings to stay involved and up to date with what we're up to.

Do you think you can do it? I think you can! Send me an email today and let's get this season started!

-Kat

Go Green! Ride and Picnic Potluck

2010-08-23T19:00:00.001-07:00

Salem Greenway Path? Check.
Green colored clothes? Check.
Green colored food to share? Check.
Green Eggs & Ham? ...Mmm.

Try not to miss the last Kidical Mass Salem ride scheduled for the 2010 season. It's the 7th and final ride, and a celebration of family, cycling, food, community, and greenness. Join us at Bush Park (corner of High and Mission Streets) at 5:00 pm, this Sunday, August 29th. We'll have a group bike ride along part of the Salem Greenway Trail, enjoy some returning activities from previous Kidical Mass rides, and top off the evening with a community picnic-style potluck. Come for all or part of the ride. Please bring children, friends, neighbors, bicycles, helmets, green clothing and accessories, your own serving ware, and food to share.

See you soon and thank you all for a wonderful Kidical season!

July's Food Share and Garden bicycle tour

2010-08-19T19:45:00.000-07:00

The afternoon was hot, and this ride didn't draw out as many riders as previous rides, but the few who were game had a great time.

We met at Hallman Elementary School in the Northgate neighborhood of Salem.

We rode the little ways to the Northgate Park, which is home to the blooming Northgate Peace & Forgiveness Community Garden.

The garden honors a young boy who was shot and killed in the park last spring.

Annilivia, a member of the Northgate Community Garden team and a neighbor of the park, spoke with the group about the Northgate community's more recent history.

She also had us smell four different kinds of mint. Yum!

After the garden stop, Annilivia joined the group for a ride to the Marion Polk Food Share.

At the Food Share, we met with (another) Kat, the Women Ending Hunger group organizer. She spoke with us briefly about how the Food Share works and about hunger in our community.

In the shade from the heat, we shared some snacks. Annalivia watered the Food Share's on-site garden while the rest of the group played in the spray from the garden hose.

Food Drive Ride

2010-07-19T18:15:00.000-07:00

The next Kidical Mass ride will be this Sunday, July 25th, 2010. We'll meet at about 4:00 pm at Hallman Elementary School. If you're able, please bring non-perishable food to donate to the Marion-Polk Food Share. During the ride through the quiet Northgate neighborhood we'll pit stop at the new Northgate Peace & Forgiveness Community Garden and have a snack at the Marion-Polk Food Share warehouse and office.

Enjoy an afternoon bicycle ride with the family and also learn a little bit about what is being done to address hunger in our community.

This Kidical Mass ride is a project of Women Ending Hunger, a group affiliated with the Marion-Polk Food Share.

Didn't get to ride the Kidical "Cirque du Keizer" last month? Check out these recently posted photos on the Facebook Group and see the fun you missed!

The Kidical Circus

2010-06-29T09:27:00.000-07:00

34 riders met at Cummings Elementary School in Keizer this past Sunday.

We prepped our bikes,

signed in,

and after a brief safety and ride review,

we were off to find the circus!

Despite the heat,

we were determined to get there.

So we pedaled on...

along quiet Keizer streets,

past some twists

and turns...

We arrived at a Willamette Manor Park,

but the circus wasn't there...

So we move on!...

with a pedal powered caravan...

and flower flair.

It was a hot ride...

but we keep going!

And always remembering to signal,

and stop at the intersections.

Finally! After about 3 miles, we arrived at River Rd. Park. The circus is now in sight.

We stopped at the Kidical Circus tent to enjoy shade, snacks, hula hoops, bubbles, and poi.

Baby Maya - our youngest rider of the day - hangs out in the tent.

The hula hoops were a big hit at the circus!

...More photos may be added soon. If you have photos you'd like to share, please add them to the Kidical Mass Salem Facebook Group.

See you at the July ride?!

Thank you to the extraordinary volunteers that made the ride - and circus! - a blast to be a part of.

"Cirque du Keizer" Ride

2010-06-16T22:10:00.000-07:00

Next Sunday, June 27th, will be the 5th Kidical Mass Salem ride...! We'll be heading to a new and unexplored land: Keizer! Meet at Cummings Elementary School (613 Cummings Lane North Keizer) at 3:00 pm. The entire route will be about a 5 mile loop, but there will be three fun activity stops.

That same weekend, on Saturday, June 26th, is the Boys & Girls Club Cycle Challenge ride. One route option is the "Family Fun Ride" for kids and parents within Willamette Mission State Park, a nature site north of Keizer. You should register before the ride and it's $15. Participation includes fun activities and prizes! The Family Fun Ride starts at 11:00 am.

Friends & Flowers was absolutely lovely.

2010-06-01T22:02:00.000-07:00

48 riders, including a pet rat and dog, joined the Kidical Mass group this past Sunday for a ride in the beautiful Northeast Neighbors area of Salem. During the 3.5 mile tour we crossed two pedestrian bridges over Mill Creek, rode by the Friends of Straub Environmental Learning Center, and passed the first Passive House built on the West Coast.

The ride began like any other before it.

I arrived at the meet site, Englewood City Park in NE Salem, around 1:30 pm and waited for other riders to show...

It wasn't long before there were a few dozen KMass riders ready and waiting for me!

Not all of the riders were of the human species,

but we did not discriminate.

Even inanimate seals are more than welcome to join us (helmets are optional for these little critters).

Some riders were Kidical Mass newbies,

Others, such as no-more-training-wheels Austin, have become well known in the Kidical Mass circuit.

Once we got our floral decorations in order,

and had a brief road safety introduction,

we were ready to pedal!

And so we pedaled!

But then we took a break...

at the lovely neighborhood park on NE Chemeketa and 21st.

We chatted,

we stretched our legs,

we climbed,

we napped,

we had some fun.

Then, we were ready to finish the ride.

And a lovely ride it was.

Would you like to share your own photos from the day's event or other family cycling pics? Join the Facebook Group Kidical Mass Salem and add your own.

Thank you to the volunteers that took these wonderful photos. :)

Free Family Biking Safety class

2010-05-20T22:30:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, Friends of Salem Saturday Market is offering a free class about Family Biking Safety. It will be held from 10 - 11 am at the Salem Saturday Market at the Friends' table. It will be taught by Robert Fox of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance.

Hear about what kids and grown-ups can do, and should be aware of, to make biking together fun and safe.

Friends & Flowers

2010-05-14T11:14:00.001-07:00

The next Kidical Mass ride is approaching. The "Friends & Flowers" ride will be Sunday, May 30th, 2010 during the Memorial Day weekend. Riders are encouraged to decorate bicycles, helmets, and clothing with colorful spring flowers. And don't forget to bring a friend along for the ride!

The May ride will be at another central Salem location. We'll meet at 2:00 pm in Englewood City Park in the Northeast Neighbors neighborhood.

Mini Cookie was a treat!

2010-05-06T21:32:00.001-07:00

The Mini Cookie Metric Decade ride on April 25th, 2010 was a day of sunshine, cookies, and bicycles. 50 riders participated in the Kidical Mass event in the Grant and Highland neighborhoods of NE Salem.

Kidical flare was a must for all volunteers.

Other flare (such as this sparkly and hypnotizing pin wheel) is definitely encouraged, but not required.

Riders began to arrive at the meet location, Grant City Park.

After a brief review of ride rules, we ride!

Our first stop was at Highland Elementary School where we had fun with some sidewalk chalk.

Moving on to the second stop and highlight of the ride: the cookie potluck!

Our final stop was at the Capital to see the Monster Cookie riders.

We were a little late for their after party, so we had our own.

Good times, indeed!

Special thanks to ALL of the wonderful volunteers that help make the ride go smooth!

Next ride is on May 30th, 2010. Is it on your calendar yet??

Thanks to Nicole and Eric for sharing their photos.

Where to ride? That is the question.

2010-04-15T10:07:00.000-07:00

Kidical Mass rides will be happening on the last Sunday of the month from now through August. The April ride will be in the NE Grant neighborhood... but what about May, June, July, & August?

Where would you like a ride to be this summer? Comment here, add your vote to the survey question on the right column of this page, or send me an email to
KidicalMassSalem@gmail.com.

Have a fun theme idea? Please share that too! Your comments and ideas are definitely appreciated.

Mini Cookie Metric Decade Bicycle Ride!

2010-04-05T22:41:00.000-07:00

...What?

This is a ride for those that are still training to ride the Salem Bicycle Club's Monster Cookie Metric Century Ride, which is occurring on the same day as the April Kidical Mass ride this year, Sunday 4/25/2010. The entire ride route will be about a tenth of a metric century or 10 kilometers. (That's a whopping 6.2 miles!) Riders can participate in all or just part of the ride. We'll meet at Grant City Park, behind Grant Elementary School on Market St in close-in North Salem. We'll meet up around 2:00 pm, which is a little later than the last two rides. The event should wrap up around 4:00.

This ride will be a cookie potluck. Homemade or store bought, small or large, sugary or nutritious... it's up to you what you want to do! Note: bringing cookies is not required to participate in the cookie eating, but it is encouraged. :)

The Monster Cookie Rider.

"Pedal to the Beat," a hit in South Salem!

2010-03-28T18:43:00.000-07:00

Despite the fact that it was a chilly and rainy afternoon, the "Pedal to the Beat of Your Own Bicycle" ride got off to a good whistling and ringing start this past Sunday.

30 riders participated...

...some of them still with training wheels!...

...some of them as backseat riders...

...and some of them as teams! (Dad steered, she pedaled.)

Noise makers were a must,

and many bikes were sporting the Kidical-flair.

Our rest stop was at Wendy Kroger Park near Liberty. The park has a dirt BMX course... but with the rain, it was sort of a mud pit with muddy mounds. These guys still had fun though!

Everyone was impressed that little Austin (and his sister) rode the whole 4 mile route (with a few short cuts, thanks to Eric's guidance)!

All in all, a pretty sweet ride.

Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!

2010-03-26T09:30:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that there will be a group bicycle ride this Sunday at 1:00 pm. We'll meet at Faye Wright Elementary School in South Salem. Bring noise makers for some extra fun. :)

If the weather is particularly horrible (it's likely to rain all day), the ride will be canceled. But if it's just cloudy and drizzling, we'll still be there! So, bring a rain coat...

If you already know you're not going to make it to this ride, then we hope to see you on a future one.

And don't forget to tell your friends about the Kidical Mass events. You can send them an invite to the Facebook group, or let them know about this blog. Please help get the word out to any potential Kidical Mass riders!

See ya soon!

March's ride should start with a Bang!

2010-03-17T17:47:00.000-07:00

...and a Ding-Chime-Whistle-Ring-Pop-Clang!

That's the theme for the second Kidical Mass ride on Sunday, March 28th, 2010 at 1:00 pm. We'll be meeting at Faye Wright Elementary School in South Salem. The theme is "Pedal to the Beat of Your Own Bicycle Ride," and the idea is that riders will get to make some playful noise as we make our 4-mile loop. Noise makers, kazoos, maracas, bells, tambourines, homemade & otherwise, are definitely encouraged.

Kidical Mass Gets Rolling!

2010-03-01T21:06:00.000-08:00

Yesterday's ride was awesome! The turnout was great, much thanks to a beautiful February afternoon.

The group met at Bush Pasture Park. The pre-ride sign up sheet indicated 33 riders, but a head count at the beginning of the ride estimated 50 people in the group!

Before we took off for the ride, there was a brief introduction about the ride and reminders about how to ride safely with traffic. Special thanks to Gary Obery, a Kidical Mass rider and dad, for going over the ABC-Quick Check!

A few tricyclists joined us for the in-park ride.

Bikes, trikes, and trailers - Oh my!

The first part of the ride looped through some neighborhood streets so young riders could get some street riding cred!

Law-abiding riders wait patiently at a stop sign for a chance to cross a South Salem neighborhood street.

The second part of the ride branched out of the Bush Park neighborhood via the bike lane on Winter Street towards the Capitol State Park. This was our last destination before making our way back to the park.

Thanks to everyone that came out for the first ride. It wouldn't have been any fun without you!

Second thanks to journalist Stephanie Knowlton and photographer Danielle Peterson from the Statesman Journal for featuring the ride in today's paper and creating an online photo gallery.

Third thanks to volunteer rider Emily Ackland for taking these wonderful photos during the event.

Can't wait until March's ride. But where, oh where, should it be...?

KMS Kick-Off Ride Tomorrow!

2010-02-27T17:27:00.000-08:00

Kidical Mass begins its first season here in Salem as of tomorrow, 1 PM, @ the Bush House Museum.

Join the little masses for a pedal powered tour of the neighborhoods around Bush Pasture Park.

If you're considering riding, be sure to check out the FAQs and How to Ride pages for the 411 about the event. Email KidicalMassSalem@gmail.com with any additional questions.

Have you seen this flier?

2010-02-10T11:07:00.000-08:00

Kidical Mass Salem fliers are slowly but surely being distributed around town.

If you're serious about getting the word out, download this pdf and print some quarter sheet fliers to distribute to your friends and neighbors, or email them a link to the Blog.

Pre-Ride Prep

2010-02-06T19:35:00.000-08:00

Logistical work is still underway for prepping for the first ride.

Here are some additional networking resources developed to help remind you of upcoming Kidical Mass Salem rides. Use 'em if you're into that sort of thing!

Facebook Group - Kidical Mass Salem
Twitter - twitter.com/KMSalem

An email newsletter is also an option for those that aren't as social networking savvy, like myself.

e-Newsletter - Subscribe!

Ding Ding Ding! & The Season Begins.

2010-01-28T22:24:00.000-08:00

...Is that a bell you here? ...Is that a mass of bells you here?!

It will be!!

The Kidical Mass Salem Event Calendar is now updated. Kid- and family-friendly bike rides will be hosted the last Sunday of the month through August 2010 starting this FEBRUARY, on the 28th! The theme of the ride is "Slip on Your Rain Boots!" because, let's face it, it's February! We will meet at 1:00 pm at Bush Pasture City Park, near the Bush House Muesum & Bush Barn Art Center (Google map).

Check out the How to Ride page and the FAQs to learn more about the rides. Interested riders are encouraged to contact me, the event coordinator, at KidicalMassSalem@gmail.com.

See you all soon! :D

The little masses are coming!

2009-12-04T08:11:00.000-08:00

Kidical Mass is coming to a Salem near you, sooner than you think.

Look out for blinky lights and low riding wheels. They're almost here!

2010 Event Calendar

2009-12-01T19:45:00.000-08:00

February - Slip on Your Rain Boots! Kick-Off Ride

Location: Bush Pasture City Park, near the Bush House Museum & Bush Barn Art Center (Google map)

Date: Sunday, February 28th, 2010

Meet Time: 1:00 pm

End Time: about 3:00 pm?

Ride Details: The first Kidical Mass Salem ride is on, Rain or Shine! (Of course it is, since it's February in Oregon.) Leave your umbrellas at home. If it's raining, you're just gonna get wet!

March - Pedal to the Beat of Your Own Bicycle Ride

Location: Faye Wright Elementary School in South Salem (Google map)

Date: Sunday, March 28th, 2010

Meet Time: 1:00 pm

End Time: 3:00 pm

Ride Details: Bells, horns, kazoos, maracas, tambourines, and any other noise makers (homemade or otherwise) are strongly encouraged. Let's make some noise!

April - Mini Cookie Metric Decade Bicycle Ride

Location: Grant City Park, 725 Market St. NE Salem (Google map)

Date: Sunday, April 25th, 2010

Meet Time: 2:00 pm

End Time: 4:00 pm

Ride Details: This is a ride for those that are in training to someday ride the Salem Bicycle Club's Monster Cookie Metric Century ride. The total ride will be about a tenth of a metric century, or 10 kilometers - whoa! (That's 6.2 miles.) Riders can participate in all or just part of the ride. This is a mini cookie potluck (yum!), so bring cookies for yourself and to share. Helmets are required!

May - Friends & Flowers Ride

Location: Englewood City Park (Google Map)

Date: Sunday, May 30th, 2010

Meet Time: 2:00 pm

End Time: 4:00 pm

Ride Details: Decorate your bike with colorful spring flowers and let's have a flower parade through the neighborhood. Helmets are of course required, but a helmet covered in flowers is encouraged! An adult must ride along, but bring a friend too ... or three. :)

June - Cirque du Keizer

Location: Cummings Elementary School in North Keizer (613 Cummings Lane N Keizer)

Date: Sunday, June 27th, 2010

Meet Time: 3:00 pm

End Time: 5:00 pm

Ride Details: The theme is "Cirque du Keizer," so dress up in your most colorful festive bike wear and prepare to be part of the show! :D

July - Food Drive Ride

Location: Hallman Elementary School in the NE Northgate neighborhood (4000 Deerhaven Drive NE)

Date: Sunday, July 25th, 2010

Meet Time: 4:00 pm

End Time: 6:00 pm
Ride Details: An project of Women Ending Hunger, a group affiliated with the Marion-Polk Food Share. We'll visit a community garden and the Food Share warehouse. Please bring non-perishable food stuff to donate if you're able. Helmets and an adult riding along are required.

August - Go Green! - A Green Ride & Green Potluck

Location: Bush Pasture City Park (Google map)

Date: Sunday, August 29th, 2010

Meet Time: 5:00 pm

End Time: 7:00 pm

Ride Details: We'll be riding the Salem Greenway Ride, while wearing green, and eating green. It can't get much greener than that! Come play outside and say goodbye to a fun 2010 Kidical Mass season with an afternoon ride into the sunset followed by yumminess. Please bring green colored food for yourself and to share, along with your own serving ware.

How to Ride in Kidical Mass Salem

2009-12-01T18:43:00.000-08:00

Follow these easy steps to be a Kidical Mass Pro-Rider!

1) Be prepared.
Bicycles should be in proper road-safe condition, meaning tires are inflated, brakes are functioning, and riders feel comfortable. Every child will need to wear a helmet that fits (it's the law), and parents and volunteers are strongly encouraged to wear one too! The ride is outside, so of course dress appropriately for the weather. You'll want to bring full water bottles and snacks (if needed), as these may not be provided during the ride. Please also make sure your child can follow basic traffic laws with your guidance, such as coming to a complete stop at traffic stops and looking both ways before crossing a street. It should also be noted that the ride is a free event, so don't let that deter your participation!

For the sake of maximum fun-ness, be sure to check out the Event Calendar to see the "theme" of the upcoming ride.

Also, feel free to contact the event coordinator with any questions: KidicalMassSalem@gmail.com.

2) Show up.
We can't have Kidical Mass if we have no mass of kids, so be sure to show up! When you arrive to the meeting location at around the start time, look for the crowd of kids on bikes. If the group has not yet convened, the coordinator will be there with an orange flag. The first few minutes after the start time will be for introductions about the ride and a bike riding safety review. A parent or guardian needs to ride the Kidical Mass event with their children to ensure a good ratio of young riders to supervising adults (don't worry - you needn't be an experienced rider, just a willing rider!). The ride will start and end at the initial meeting place. Riders can leave the ride at any time, assuming an accompanying adult is with them.

3) Enjoy the ride.
The purpose of the ride is two-fold: to learn and to enjoy. The mission of the event is to have everyone, kid and kid-at-heart, to finish the ride feeling more comfortable riding on our city streets, with the bigger idealist goal that bicycle riding will become a regular mode of healthy, sustainable, and fun transport.

4) Do it again!
Mark these dates on your calendar! Kidical Mass Salem rides will be hosted the last Sunday of the month from February through August 2010. Check back for updates to the Event Calendar as locations and routes are developed.

Want to become a volunteer?

2009-12-01T12:36:00.000-08:00

Don't have any kiddos but still want to join in on the fun? Become a Kidical Mass event volunteer! Help plan a Kidical Mass ride, participate as a fellow adult rider, or assist with outreach efforts.

Want to insure that a ride happens in your neighborhood? Become a neighborhood Kidical Mass ambassador! Act as an event facilitator by helping to develop a safe local route or distributing event information to your friends and neighbors.

For more information,

please contact the Kidical Mass Salem coordinator via email at:

KidicalMassSalem@gmail.com

Contact

2009-12-01T12:10:00.000-08:00

For more information,

please contact the Kidical Mass Salem coordinator via email at:

KidicalMassSalem@gmail.com

Subscribe!
To receive an email reminding you of upcoming rides,
email the link above or
click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

2009-12-01T12:08:00.000-08:00

Is this just like Critical Mass but for kids?
Absolutely not. We are a family friendly law-abiding ride. Our purpose is to teach kids, parents and caregivers safety skills and provide a ride in which to practice them. We are creating awareness for the growing presence of kids and families on bikes and the need for all road users to respect other users of the road. We are also bringing together families who bike in an effort to provide a positive community experience that will show children how much fun riding your bike can be!

Are we required to have a parade permit to ride in KM?
No. We are riding as a group, following all traffic laws and are not required to have a permit since we are not purposefully stopping traffic or blocking traffic. It’s true we may be slow as snails and therefore slow traffic, but bikes are allowed to ride in traffic and other road users can pass or take an alternate route as they see fit.

Do we have to ride in the bike lane if there is one?
Yes. By law in Oregon, if there is a bike lane you may only leave the lane if it’s unsafe for you to remain in it, or if you are turning.

We will ride single file in the bike lane on these roads. Other state laws may vary.

Are we allowed to ‘take the lane’?
Absolutely. When it’s the safest place to ride, take the lane. Otherwise, ride as far right as ‘practicable’ unless you are making a left turn, avoiding hazards, or the lane is too narrow to share. Also, ride in the lane furthest to the right, unless it’s safer to ride in a middle or left lane. Your ride leader will give clear instructions on where you should be.

Is it really that safe to ride as a group?
Absolutely. The more cyclists the safer the roads, so keep on riding!

What if I have more than one kid to keep track of on the ride?
Ride leaders encourage all parents to take responsibility for all young cyclists so you should feel comfortable in knowing there are many eyes and ears on the road helping out. We also have volunteers to ride with us who do not have kids as well as a ride ’sweeper’ who stays in the back of the pack. However, you should still be very aware of your own child’s location and behavior as you are ultimately responsible for your child’s safety.

Will my kid get left behind?
No. We have a ride ’sweeper’ who stays in the back of the group to make sure no one is left. Also, the ride leader will stop as many times as necessary to make sure the group stays together since it’s safer and more fun that way! Since we are not stopping traffic or blocking traffic this may mean it’s the slowest ride you’ll ever take.

What if we need to stop or leave the ride?
You can stop at any time and walk your bike to the end location. Riding on the sidewalk is not always legal in downtown areas.

Are helmets required?
Yes. By law in Oregon all children 16 and under must wear a helmet, and the ride leaders strongly encourage all riders to wear helmets. We like to see parents and caregivers modeling the correct behavior and safest riding practices for the kids.

For more detailed information on the laws that protect cyclists and how to ride safely, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance has a wealth of resources.

This section borrowed from Kidical Mass Eugene.