Cycling campaigners crowdfund enough insurance to stage demo events
An online petition has smashed its target
Campaigners - calling for safer cycling routes for children - have smashed their crowdfunding target.
They were trying to raise just over £2,500 to get insurance so they could hold more protest events nationwide - like the ones planned in Exeter and Reading later this month.
The last one (see below) in Exeter saw hundreds of children and families riding through the city to show how many would cycle if they felt safe.
Harriet Sharp, behind the so-called Exeter 'Kidical Mass', said: "It's absolutely fantastic and a huge relief, but it's also really lovely to see the Kidical Mass events in the UK have the levels of support that we can reach that target quite quickly - which was amazing.
"We know that cycling is really good for children - it's really good for their physical health and really good for their mental health."
Kat Heath, from Reading, started the online appeal so every 'Kidical Mass' event nationwide would be covered, saying: "It highlights that so many towns don't have safe routes for kids to travel along.
"One of the hardest things from all the Kidical Mass events that I've been involved in is just finding a route that you can take kids on."
She says the events aim to remind planners that cycling infrastructure should be at the heart of new housing estates and transport plans, adding: "Councils don't always think about that - or planners don't. We're raising awareness of design thinking with children in mind - but it's not just children, it's also other vulnerable road users."
The crowdfunder can be found here
The next Kidical Mass ride in Reading is on Sunday, September 8
The Exeter Kidical Mass event is on Sunday 22nd September