FAMILIES and youngsters are being invited to celebrate a worldwide campaign that centres around children’s cycling.

World Kidical Mass Day will be celebrated in Bournemouth this month with a fun, family-friendly cycle ride around King's Park on the new dedicated paths.

It will be the first Kidical Mass cycle to be held in the town and will support the larger campaign for safer cycle infrastructure and child-friendly road traffic laws.

The event was organised by community group BH Active Travel.

Chair of the group Lucie Allen said: “It’s about getting kids on bikes and celebrating cycling as a hobby and a sport, and a means to get around, but also to highlight that children want to cycle, and they want safe spaces to cycle."

Kidical Mass is a growing movement that has seen a number of towns and cities around the world host their own cycle events in its support.

The events are open to people across all ages, and abilities, but typically attract families and children.

Lucie said: “It will be at a real slow place. Kids can be on rollerblades, scooters or bikes. Parents can have their babies on the back of their bikes. It can be anything!”

The ride will follow the new cycle paths across the length of King's Park from the Ashley Road entrance to the new toucan crossing on Harewood Avenue, with volunteers from BH Active Travel placed along the route to guide participants.

It is also an opportunity for the new paths to be celebrated - since they are the type of infrastructure Kidical Mass campaigns for.

Lucie said: “It’s a way to say thank you to the council - I think that it’s really important to show that we’re grateful for that new cycle path through King's Park.”

BH Active Travel has also revealed they plan to hold a second Kidical Mass in Poole before Christmas, and another in Christchurch next spring, although details are yet to be confirmed.

Those who want to take part in Kidical Mass should meet outside Kings Park Café at 10.45am on Sunday, September 25, for an 11am start.