Kidical Mass Bixby Knolls
Check our event calendar for upcoming Kidical Mass Bixby Knolls Rides. All rides will leave from Georgie's Place, 3850 Atlantic Ave. at 1:00pm.
Join us on Sunday, May 19
We ruled the streets
The inaugural Kidical Mass Bixby Knolls ride left from Los Cerritos Park (park location) promptly at 1:00pm on Sunday, May 20th. The ride was led by Olympic Cyclist Tony Cruz and wound through the neighborhood following all of the rules of the road. Prior to the start Tony gave a safety demonstration and went over basic rules that pertain to biking on the streets. The ride headed to Georgie's Place at 3850 Atlantic Ave., where riders were treated to complimentary ice cream and had the opportunity to buy lunch at Georgie's Place.
Kidical Mass Bixby Knolls is sponsored by Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association, 7th District Councilmember James Johnson, 8th District Councilmember Rae Gabelich.
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What is Kidical Mass?
Kidical Mass is a legal, safe and FUN bike ride for kids, kids at heart, and their families. The first ride was held in April 2008 in Eugene, Oregon and has now spread to over a dozen communities throughout North America and beyond. The rides are 
meant to be family friendly bike rides through a community.
Kidical Mass Bixby Knolls will host rides that connect the community to the businesses in Bixby Knolls. Our goal is to show people how easy it is to get around in Bixby Knolls by bike and support local business.
All types of bikes, trailers, trail-a-bikes, Xtracycles, longtails, bakfiets, Long Johns, tandems, folders, trikes, and whatever rolls are welcome! We celebrate the fact that Kids are Traffic Too and aim for family fun on vehicles that don’t hurt the future! It’s just another excuse to pedal around town with your family.
Where will the ride go?
Each ride begins at Georgie's Place, 3850 Atlantic Ave. and winds through the neighborhood, and then ends at Georgie's Place for complimentary ice cream. The route is about 2 miles long and is more for kids able to ride two wheelers. Some families will bring along a “balance bike”, trike, or small bicycle for their kids to ride around the park with but then when it is time for the ride they can use a trailer, cargobike, or child’s bike seat.
Are helmets required?
Yes. By law in California all children 18 and under must wear a helmet, and the ride leaders strongly encourage all riders to wear helmets.
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 sometimes 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.
Speaking of ‘liability’, is there a waiver to sign?
Not having them keeps it a little less formal. We are organizing a meeting spot and a fun event at the end but when we ride “together” each family is responsible for their kids and surroundings (stop at all stops, ride with traffic, stay to the right, and no swerving).
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- but it makes it more fun and festive!
Do we have to ride in the bike lane if there is one?
In California, yes. By law in California, 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.
Are we allowed to ‘take the lane’?
A bicycle lane is a designated traffic lane for bicyclists, marked by a solid white line, typically breaking into a dotted line at the corner. Different from a simple white line showing the edge of the road, a bicycle lane follows specific width requirements and is clearly marked as a bike lane. Many roads do not have designated bicycle traffic lanes, so bicyclists will share the traffic lane to the left of the white line. If there is no shoulder or bicycle lane and the traffic lane is narrow, ride closer to the center of the lane. This will prevent motorists from passing you when there is not enough room. Bicyclists can travel at speeds of 20 mph, or faster. You should also use the traffic lane when you are traveling at the same speed as the traffic around you. This will keep you out of motorists’ blind spots and reduce conflicts with right-turning traffic.
Bike Links
Safety Tips for Bicyclists and Motorists
DMV Driver's Handbook-Bicycle Section