‘Critical Mass’ cycle ride to take place in Peterborough

A member of the messaging team told the Peterborough Telegraph that Critical Mass events are ‘leaderless and have no organisers’.

The ride will be socially distanced and will start at Sessions House on Thorpe Road at 2pm on Sunday.

The cyclists will then make their way around the city centre on a pre-planned route before finishing at Cowgate approximately an hour later.

In May, the government announced its ‘Safe Cycling Inititiave’ as a response to the increased interest in the pursiut during lockdown.

A £250 million emergency travel fund was set up to create pop-up cycle lanes, wider pavements and safer junctions across the country.

Participinats in the event are keen to demonstrate the presence of cyclists in the city and ensure that Peterborough’s share of the funds is used appropriately to fully enhance the experience of cycling in the city.

Orton Waterlville Ward Councillor for the Green Party Nicola Day has confirmed her attendance and said: “I wholeheartedly support the implementation of improved cycling infrastructure in the city.

“I didn’t learn to drive until I was 26 and spent many years cycling around the city, often with my small son on a child seat on the back. So, I know from experience just how terrifying it is to cycle on our roads with cars and lorries thundering past.

“I have been working with Sustrans, the Peterborough Cycle Forum and the council to encourage the implementation of ambitious plans for cycling and walking. The ‘Safer Cycling Funding’ is proactively encouraging councils to reallocate road space for cyclists and we have seen Boris Johnson urge the nation to ‘get on our bikes’.

“Peterborough urgently needs to invest in walking and cycling, ambitious measures will bring health and well-being benefits, as well as improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions, which will help our city to reach its Emergency Climate Declaration net zero carbon goals by 2030.

“So I will be getting on my bike this Sunday at 2pm and joining many other riders in imagining the cycle friendly city Peterborough could become. Not only could we become the Environmental Capital of the UK, but we also have the perfect conditions to become one of the top cycling cities in the UK.”

The event will be supported by a local Extinction Rebellion group but it is not an official Extinction Rebellion event.

All details available about the event can be found on Facebook by clicking here.