Mass cycle ride in Exeter calls for safer streets
The International Kidical Mass Action Weekend takes place in the city today
Last updated 24th Sep 2023
Exeter families and residents will be taking part in the International Kidical Mass Action Weekend today.
They will join tens of thousands across the UK and world in a call for streets to be made safer for everyone.
The ride will start at Southernhay Park at 11.00am and take a gentle route through town and the new Heavitree Low Traffic Neighbourhood and end at Heavitree Pleasure Garden for a picnic.
Professor Richard Betts MBE, a climate scientist at the University of Exeter and Met Office, said:
"The scientific evidence shows that cities can reduce carbon emissions substantially by improving infrastructure for low carbon, cleaner, travel such as cycling and walking.
"Making it safer for people to cycle enables them to ride their bikes more often, instead of driving their cars, so helps combat climate change."
Organizer Vipul Patel, an environmental campaigner and local businessman, said:
"In the high emotion and drama of the low traffic neighbourhood being trialled in Heavitree, too many forget that our road systems have been deeply unfair for decades. As we adults enjoy the freedom to drive everywhere, we’ve made prisoners of our children.
"Most parents would love their children to have the freedom to play and move safely outside rather than be glued to an Xbox or phone, but for children living in cities, that’s not an option.
"Every child has a right to feel safe. And they should also have the independence to explore, play, and move freely in their neighbourhoods."
It comes ahead of the start of national Cycle to School week, to encourage children to cycle to school and parents to stop driving on the "school run".