Kidical Mass Berario hopes to promote a healthy lifestyle for young and old alike. Photo: Supplied.
Along with the the pitter-patter of tiny feet, Berario heard the whizzing past of close to 100 children as they cycled through the neighbourhood due to a unique movement.
Inspired by Critical Mass , a movement originated in San Francisco about 25 years ago, Kidical Mass Berario was started by three residents, Robert Janbroers, Nigel Laver and Byron Poson.
Kidical Mass Berario started about eight months ago. Photo: Supplied.
The movement, which is free to participate in, takes place every last Sunday of the month at 4pm in summer and 3pm in winter, where it begins and ends at the Berario Recreation Centre. Cyclists do two 5km loops through the neighbourhood.
Kidical Mass Berario meets every last Sunday of the month. Photo: Supplied.
The area was first introduced to the movement last year when about 20 children participated.
Janbroers explained that the movement began so as to give children the opportunity to ride on the roads in a safe environment. He also shared that one of the great aspects of the movement is that it has managed to bring children together from different schools, cultures and backgrounds with the common goal of enjoying an hour or two get-together on two wheels.
“It has also got a few parents off the couch who have now followed either cycling, jogging or walking – a win for all,” said Janbroers, who himself, is a cyclist.
Organisers of Kidical Mass Berario encourage children to go outside and enjoy the fresh air. Photo: Supplied.
He added that most importantly the movement gets children away from television and computer screens and back into the fresh air where they should be enjoying their childhood and maybe even develop into a Tour de France cyclist one day.
Kidical Mass Berario was started by three residents. Photo: Supplied.
Poson added that anything to get parents and children out into the community to bond, is great. Their plan is to now have the movement grow so big that they could even close off Beyers Naudé Drive.
Janbroers concluded with the hope that the project has a twofold impact on the community: That children ride in a safe environment and enjoy themselves and, to create awareness for cyclists on the road.
Parents and children spend their Sunday afternoon together enjoying the fresh air. Photo: Supplied.
