Parents and children have come together for a fun Santa cycle ride through Reading.
The Kidical Mass Reading group holds cycling events in the town throughout the year, but the latest event took a festive turn with Santa Claus joining the riders.
More than 60 cyclists took part in the recent ride, which saw participants go in a looped route from Thames Lido and King’s Meadow along the Kennet, through the town centre and Duke Street to the finishing point at Forbury Gardens.
Kat Heath, the organiser of Kidical Mass Reading said: “We had Santa on a tandem which was so exciting!
“We also had one of Santa’s elves doing free bike repairs provided by Stumbles Cycles.
“It was really really cute, my three-year-old was so excited when he saw Santa.
“It was really really great fun, we had just under 70 people come out on their bikes to ask for better cycle routes and infrastructure.
“And people came out despite the cold weather which was great.”
Ms Heath lives in West Reading with her two children.
Stumbles Cycles provides pay-what-you-can bike repairs for cyclists in the town.
The Santa cycle held on Sunday, November 26 was the last Kidical Mass event in Reading this year.
However, there will be a Kidical Mass Cycle in Wokingham beginning at Elms Field at 2pm on Saturday, December 16.
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The campaign receives cross-party support politically in both Reading and Wokingham boroughs.
Councillor Alistair Neal (Liberal Democrats, Hillside), who was spotted at the Santa cycle, said: “I have supported them [Kidical Mass] ever since they have been going.
“I’ve always helped out with them ever since it started. I’ve been doing it quite regularly in the last few years. I’m a long time supporter.
“Kat Heath has been the driving force behind it since it arrived in Reading and we’ve been going on cycles ever since.”
He added that Kidical Mass receives cross-party support in its quest to improve cycling in Reading and Wokingham boroughs.
A consultation on Reading’s Transport Strategy 2040 is currently taking place which includes proposals for how the council can improve journeys for cyclists.
You can view objectives and proposals on the Reading Borough Council website.
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