Kidical Mass is Back in 2026

Kidical Mass Sunday July 5th 2026 The Physics of Motion: Kidical Mass & Active Transportation A series of community rides designed to move science education out of our classroom and onto the streets of Tacoma. Scientific Focus: Teach physics; focusing on kinetic energy, momentum, center of gravity, and spatial awareness. Families learn the mechanics of a pre-ride safety check of their bicycles, navigate Tacoma’s topography safely while understanding the physics of group commuting in mass within the city. Practical science experiential learning designed for all ages and abilities.

Join us for a Kidical Mass Ride at Swan Creek Park from 9–11 AM! This fun, family-friendly ride is open to all and designed to help kids and adults alike feel more confident riding together in a group. We’ll take a 4 mile route at a relaxed 5 MPH pace, making it accessible for riders of all ages and abilities. Get a bike at the bike swap for you and your kids and try it out.  Please also bring a helmet, and enthusiasm, and let’s roll together in a celebration of biking in Tacoma! 

Why come to Swan Creek check out this great promotion video that Jamie Stavlo created on why Swan Creek is a great place to ride with kids.

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September 28, 2024 - Water Flume Trail Ride

The Kidical Mass team decided that we just couldn't let this month go without a Kidical Mass Ride!

Join us for an adventure down the Water Flume trail! This South Side Tacoma Gem is a great spot to check out when you grab your Howdy Bagel or head over to the STAR Center. If  you've been sleeping on this neighborhood, this is your chance to check out everything in that corner of Tacoma.

We will meet at South Park, Tacoma at 9:30 AM, ride at 10 AM for a 3.5 mile round trip ride. We'll follow the Water Flume trail past Edison Elementary, then ride on neighborhood streets over to the STAR Center for a bit of playground time. Then we'll follow neighborhood streets past the South Tacoma Sounder Station back to South Park.

Please note:

-Helmets are required for all riders for your safety and our insurance. (Contact us before the event if you need a helmet.)

-All children must be accompanied by an adult.

-No training wheels or balance bikes on this route

-Dress for the weather and bring water if you need it

-Public restrooms are available at South Park and STAR Center

-Snacks provided by our sponsor, 2nd Cycle!

See you there!

July 20, 2024 - Bike Bus to Porchfest!

Kidical Mass is so excited for the summer! This is the time to get those kiddos excited for riding!

For our July ride, we will be doing a bicycle bus over to Porchfest!    Porchfest is a neighborhood music festival where porches are turned into stages and dozens of bands perform all across the the Central District Neighborhood in Tacoma.  Participants are encouraged to Walk, Bike or Roll to the festival and that's just what Kidical Mass is going to do!

Traveling from the East and South Side of Tacoma to Central District or Northside is a challenge, but Kidical Mass is up for it! We are running this ride as a "Bicycle Bus."  A bicycle bus is a group of cyclists who ride along a pre-determined route.  You can join us for any portion of the ride. Expect music, balloons and fun while we traverse the city.

The schedule for the Bike Bus:

1 PM - Eastside Community Center

1:15 - Mottet Library

1:30 - Lincoln Park

2:00 - Wright Park

2:15 - Porchfest

This ride will be on city streets and we will be riding at approximately 5-10 miles per hour. No training wheels and balance bikes for this portion of the event. If you live further west on the Southside, you can also join Velofemme's portion of the bike bus. Their info is here: Bike Bus to Porchfest (eastside edition) | Facebook

The Porchfest Parade is leaves at 3 PM and basically moves the party from one side of the neighborhood to the other!  Parade Starts at the Ferry St. Community Garden. Decorate your bicycles, bring noisemakers and Jami, the Balloon Biker will be creating some bike helmet balloon art. Training Wheels and Balance bikes would be welcome for the parade!

After the event, riders can create their own group heading back or hop on public transit! Don't forget about Velofemme's Annual Little Black Dress ride at 6 PM!

 

Bike to the Farmer's Market

 

There's nothing like rolling up to the Farmer's market on your wheels, getting prime parking, picking out some cherries, maybe a baguette and some kale and then biking aways with delightful goodies. The only thing that would make it better would be to do that ride with your Kidical Mass buddies!

Join us for our Famer's Market ride on Saturday, June 29th for a kid-paced ride from Franklin Park (Franklin Park, 1201 S Puget Sound Ave, Tacoma, WA 98405) to the Proctor Farmer's Market. Meet at 9 AM, roll out at 9:30.

The ride will be about 2 miles each way. We'll spend about 45 minutes at the market before returning back to Franklin Park. Ride will primarily be on neighborhood streets. Please no training wheels or balance bikes for this ride. 

 This ride is sponsored and supported by 2nd Cycle. Helmets required and can be made available if necessary. Please contact us!

Kidical Mass at the Bike Swap

 

13th Annual Pierce County Bike Swap

Ride Together Pierce County is hosting the swap in a new location at Tacoma Community College. This is the perfect time to swap the bike your kid has outgrown and get something new to you! There will be a test ride area and mechanics will be available for safety checks.

Kidical Mass will also be there doing helmet decorations. We'll do a short bicycle parade around TCC's campus around 1 PM with music, balloons and lots of fun! Come by and say "Hello!"

Swan Creek Family Bike Morning - March 24, 2024 - 10 AM - Noon

 

Swan Creek Family Bike Morning

Let’s hang out with our kiddos and families and enjoy what Swan Creek has to offer. Meet at 10 AM at the shelter near the pump track. We’ll socialize with other cycling families, check out the pump track, and watch the kids ride around the great loop. Snacks and hot water for tea and hot chocolate will be available, bring a cup! Staff from 2^nd Cycle will be on hand to help inflate tires.

At 11, we’ll take a group lap around the park, through the community garden and back to where we started. More experienced kids are welcome to do as many laps as their parents wish. The park is mostly flat, though there are a few small inclines. We’ll wrap up around noon.

Swan Creek is Tacoma’s second largest park by land area and it has a lot to offer. You can find mountain bike trails, a dog park, hiking trails, a creek for mucking about and miles of empty streets that are perfect for kids to learn how to safely ride bikes.  Swan Creek used to be a residential neighborhood during World War II, and temporary houses were demolished in the 1950s. These empty residential streets are a great place for new riders to get confidence away from traffic.

 

Getting to Swan Creek park –

Parking is available behind Lister Elementary School at 4738 East T St, Tacoma, WA 98404. There are approximately 50 stalls. Follow the inter-generational trail toward the large picnic shelter.

You can also park near the Eastside Community Center at 1721 E 56th St, Tacoma, WA 98404. You’ll enter the park east of the Pipeline trail and take about a half-mile walk or ride through the unpaved mountain bike trail network.

 

Restrooms

Restrooms are available at the T streets parking lot. There is also a drinking fountain there, though it may still be off at the time of our ride.   There is a large accessible port-a-potty located near the mountain bike trails. There are two additional port-a-potties near the community garden.

February 10, 2024 - Monkeyshine Hunting (and rogue hiding) Ride

 Kidical Mass is back in 2024 and we are excited to announce our first ride of the year!

Join us on Saturday, February 10 to partake in one of the best traditions Tacoma has to offer: the hunt for Monkeyshines.  If you aren't familiar with this tradition, you can read more about it. Bicycle riding is one of the best ways to explore the city and travel from park to park to hunt for 'shines, so we're doing a ride to do just that!

Tacoma Kidical Mass will continue to partner with 2nd Cycle and we will meet at the shop to craft our own rogue Monkeyshines on our ride. Then we will depart on a four to five mile bike ride about the central area of Tacoma, visiting parks, public spaces and hiding our works of art. Perhaps we'll even find a real Monkeyshine!

If you are able and interested in supporting the Monkeyshines tradition, please consider donating to their GoFundMe.

Kidical Mass bike rides encourage families to ride bikes safely in the street by following the Rules of the Road. We ride at a kid's pace and stay together in a group, stopping to regather when needed. This free event is open to riders of all ages.

Please note:

• Helmets are required for all riders for your safety and our insurance. (Contact us before the event if you need a free helmet.)
• All children must be accompanied by an adult.
• No training wheels or balance bikes on this route
• Dress for the weather and bring water if you need it
• Public restrooms are available at 2nd Cycle before and after the ride
• Snacks provided

Shiny and New Ride - Sept 30, 2023

SHINY AND NEW RIDE

Saturday September 30, 2023

Stewart Heights Park, Tacoma, WA

Meet up at 10am     Roll Out at 10:30am

Return Around 12pm

Kidical Mass bike rides encourage families to ride bikes safely in the street by following the Rules of the Road. We ride at a kid's pace and stay together in a group, stopping to regather when needed. This free event is open to riders of all ages.

This month we are exploring a few spots in Tacoma's South End that have been recently renovated: Gas Station Park and Fawcett Elementary. Plan to play for a bit when we stop at both spots.

Here is a rough version of the 3.3 mile round-trip route, which we will ride clockwise starting from Stewart Heights Park. We'll be crossing Pacific Avenue at S 64th by using the new bicycle infrastructure and again at S 50th Street by using the flashing crosswalk beacon at Stewart Middle School.

Please note:

• Helmets are required for all riders for your safety and our insurance. (Contact us before the event if you need a free helmet.)
• All children must be accompanied by an adult.
• No training wheels or balance bikes on this route
• Dress for the weather and bring water if you need it
• Public restrooms are available at Stewart Heights Park before and after the ride
• Snacks provided

Contact ride leaders Matt Newport or Jami Stavlo with questions: kidicalmasstacoma@gmail.com

Pedal to Porchfest with Kidical Mass on August 5

Pedal to Porchfest - Saturday August 5, 2023

Meet-up at 12pm      Roll-out at 12:30am

Meet at Wright Park Playground

501 South I Street, Tacoma, 98405

Kidical Mass bike rides encourage families to ride bikes safely in the street by following the Rules of the Road. We ride at a kid's pace and stay together in a group, stopping to regather when needed. This free event is open to riders of all ages.

This month we are encouraging families to Pedal to Porchfest, a free, walkable music festival in Central Tacoma where front porches become musical stages for one magical afternoon. The Porchfest event runs from 1pm-6pm with music acts playing throughout the neighborhood. There's also a non-motorized parade at 3pm.

Venues will be located in two walkable zones of Central Tacoma

To ride with us to Porchfest, meet-up on August 5th at 12pm at Wright Park (near the splash pad and bathrooms). We'll roll-out at 12:30pm, pedaling in a group on neighborhood streets. The route to Central Tacoma is 2 miles. Families can choose which music venues to visit and head home individually whenever they like. If you're still there at 3pm, you can join us for the parade as a spectator or participant. Details about venues are available at www.tacomaporchfest.org.

Please note:

• -Helmets are required for all riders for your safety and our insurance. (Contact us before the event if you need a free helmet.)
• -All children must be accompanied by an adult.
• -No training wheels or balance bikes on this route
• -Dress for the weather and bring water if you need it
• -Public restrooms are available at Wright Park before the ride and Portable Toilets will be available in the Central Tacoma neighborhood.
• -Snacks provided at Wright Park

Contact ride leaders Matt Newport or Jami Stavlo with questions: kidicalmasstacoma@gmail.com

Bike to the Market on June 24, 2023

 

 Bike to the Market - Saturday June 24, 2023 - 

Meet-up at 10am      Roll-out at 10:30am

Meet at Franklin Park near the Splash Pad

1201 Puget Sound Ave, Tacoma, WA

Kidical Mass bike rides encourage families to ride bikes safely in the street by following the Rules of the Road. We ride at a kid's pace and stay together in a group, stopping to regather when needed. This free event is open to riders of all ages.

Meet-up on June 24th at 10am at Franklin Park (near the splash pad and bathrooms). We'll roll-out at 10:30 am, pedaling in a group on neighborhood streets the Proctor Farmer's Market. We'll have 20-30 minutes to shop the market, then head back to the Franklin Park playground (playground, restrooms, ball fields). The neighborhood is relatively flat and the route is about 4 miles roundtrip. Expect the whole event to finish around noon.

Please note:

• -Helmets are required for all riders for your safety and our insurance. (Contact us before the event if you need a free helmet.)
• -All children must be accompanied by an adult.
• -No training wheels or balance bikes on this route
• -Dress for the weather and bring water if you need it
• -Public restrooms are available at South Park
• -Snacks provided

Contact ride leaders Matt Newport or Jami Stavlo with questions: kidicalmasstacoma@gmail.com

South Tacoma Family Ride - Sunday May 21, 2023

 South Tacoma Ramble - Sunday May 21, 2023 - Rollout at 10:30AM

Meet at South Park near the Asia Pacific Cultural Center

S. 50th Street and Puget Sound Ave, Tacoma 98409

Kidical Mass bike rides encourage families to ride bikes safely in the street by following the Rules of the Road. We ride at a kid's pace and stay together in a group, stopping to regather when needed. This free event is open to riders of all ages.

On May 21st we'll roll-out from South Park (near the playground) at 10:30am and pedal together on neighborhood streets and paved trails to Manitou Park. We'll play for a bit at Manitou Park (playground, horseshoe pits, big trees and grassy areas), then head back to the South Park playground (playground, restrooms). The neighborhood is relatively flat and the route is about 4 miles roundtrip. Expect the whole event to last about 1-1.5 hours.

Please note:

• -Helmets are required for all riders for your safety and our insurance. (Contact us before the event if you need a free helmet.)
• -All children must be accompanied by an adult.
• -No training wheels or balance bikes on this route
• -Dress for the weather and bring water if you need it
• -Public restrooms are available at South Park
• -Snacks provided

Contact ride leaders Matt Newport or Jami Stavlo with questions: kidicalmasstacoma@gmail.com

Hilltop Family Ride | April 23, 2023

 

Family Bike Hangout

We're easing back into things with a Family Bike Hangout at Swan Creek on March 25 at 10:30am! Look for a pop-up tent near the pump track and plan to ride a few 1-mile laps of the paved park trail in a group so we can get a car-free feel for riding in the road. 

This will also be a great time to jump in as a volunteer! We're looking for folks to help plan and pre-ride routes, put up flyers, and chip in for snacks. 

Keep an eye on this space for future flyers or email kidicalmasstacoma@gmail.com to get on the mailing list. 

Please share the digital flyer above with friends, neighbors, and family members that might be interested.

See you there!

-Matt Newport and Jami Stavlo

Kidical Mass Tour of Playgrounds

Kidical Mass Tour of Playgrounds

with Kidical Mass Tacoma and 2nd Cycle

Saturday May 28, 2022 | 10:30am - 12pm

Starts/Ends at Stewart Heights Park

402 E 56th Street, Tacoma, WA 98404

After a long break, Kidical Mass is back in Tacoma! Kidical Mass rides encourage families to ride bikes safely in the street by following the Rules of the Road. We ride at a kid's pace and stay together in a group. This free event is open to riders of all ages.

For May we are partnering with Second Cycle Community Bicycle Shop to celebrate Bike Month with a Tour of Playgrounds in the South End.

We'll roll-out from Stewart Heights playground at 10:30am and pedal together on neighborhood streets to Ryan's Park. We'll play for a bit, then head over to Charlotte's Blueberry Park playground before returning to Stewart Heights. The neighborhood is relatively flat and the route is about 4.1 miles roundtrip. Expect the ride to last about 1-1.5 hours.

Please note:

-Helmets are required for all riders

-Masks are not required for this outdoor event, but we respect your choice to wear a mask

-All children must be accompanied by an adult.

-No training wheels or balance bikes on this route

-Dress for the weather and bring water if you need it

-Public restrooms are available at Stewart Heights Park

-Snacks provided

Contact Matt (ride leader) with questions: kidicalmasstacoma@gmail.com

Route: https://goo.gl/maps/N8WcvGT5Su4bHB2C9

Flume Line Trail Ride for Pierce County Trails Day 2021

 

After a long pandemic break, we're back with bikes for Pierce County Trails Day!

Co-hosts Kidical Mass Tacoma and Asia Pacific Cultural Center team up to offer a safe bike ride for kids and families on the Flume Line Trail in South Tacoma. Participants will also practice riding in the street and following the Rules of the Road. 

There are multiple playground stops (including a spray park) and refreshments at the end courtesy of the generous Asia Pacific Cultural Center, located just north of the start location on the trail.

Thanks to ForeverGreen Trails for helping us coordinate this event.

SATURDAY, JULY 31, 2021 AT 10:30 AM PDT – 12 PM PDT

Start Location: South Park, S 50th and Puget Sound Ave, Tacoma 98409

Map pin for start point: https://goo.gl/maps/2JSXDx79eCdKvCY7A

Length: 4-5 miles

Rating: We ride at a kid's pace in a group. Bikes with training wheels are discouraged due to terrain and distance.

RSVP on Facebook (not required but helpful)

https://www.facebook.com/events/332945768204169

More info about Kidical Mass Tacoma

http://kidicalmasstacoma.blogspot.com/p/about-kidical-mass.html

More info about Asia Pacific Cultural Center

https://www.facebook.com/AsiaPacificCulturalCenter

List of ALL Pierce County Trails Day events:

https://www.forevergreentrails.org/pierce-county-trails-day

We shared the trail with this duck family a few weeks ago

Tacoma Cranksgiving 2019 - Ride Recap

Cheers to the friends and families who pedaled and shopped on our 5th Annual Cranksgiving Ride on Saturday. And many thanks to Kevin and Felix and the crew at St. Leo Food Connection for doing good work day-in and day-out at the food pantry.

If you missed the ride, you can donate directly to Food Connection online here, or purchase a $10 food bag at the Hilltop Safeway on S. M Street (those goods go directly to Food Connection.)

We would like to grow this event next year as the needs of our community increase. If you'd like to help out, leave a comment or contact us at kidicalmasstacoma<at gmail dot com>.

Visit Cranksgiving.org to find more food-drive bike-rides across the country or to register an event in your area. 

Cranksgiving Food-Drive Bike-Ride 2019

5th Annual CRANKSGIVING Food-drive Bike-ride

Pedal to store -> Shop for others -> Haul it back

Starts at Alma Mater - 1322 Fawcett Ave, Tacoma

Saturday November 16, 2019

1PM - 3PM / Family-friendly 

Benefits St. Leo Food Connection of Tacoma

Ride and Shop 1PM-2PM / Afterparty hang-out at Alma Mater Cafe or other nearby spot 2PM-3PM

Bring a bike lock!

Join Kidical Mass Tacoma for our 5th Annual Cranksgiving family bike ride benefiting the St. Leo Food Connection food bank!

Meet-up at the bike corral in front of Alma Mater around 12:45 pm. We'll roll-out at 1 pm, pedaling a 2.3 mile route to the Hilltop Safeway for a chance to try our hand at family shopping by bicycle. Riders will be asked to purchase a few items that will be donated to St. Leo Food Connection. Be sure to bring along some way to haul your food items on your bike - backpack, basket, trailer, etc.

After we shop, we'll pedal directly to the Food Connection to donate our items. Cash donations will also be collected at this time and are used to purchase fresh produce for the food bank. We'll finish around the corner at Alma Mater to celebrate our biking and shopping skills.

FAQ: Do I have to shop at Hilltop Safeway? Nope. You are welcome to shop before the ride and bring items along if that's a better way to stretch your dollars (Costco and Cash'n'Carry have some good deals if you want to buy in bulk.)

**Special Note: This route is not very long, but it is uphill getting to the store and downhill getting back to Alma Mater. We've picked a more gradual route up and down the hill, but no push bikes or training wheels please.

Optional: RSVP on Facebook so we know you're planning to attend. Cheers!

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Kidical Mass is a monthly family bike ride series. We ride in the street and follow the Rules of the Road. We ride together, stopping to regroup when needed. All children must be accompanied by an adult and all riders should wear a helmet.

September 2019: Hilltopia Community Cruise

Kidical Mass Tacoma - Family Bike Ride

Hilltopia Community Cruise

Saturday Sept 14, 2019 

10:30am - 12pm

Starts/Ends at the People's Center

1602 M.L.K. Jr. Way, Tacoma, WA 98405

Every September, Kidical Mass groups around the globe share the road together on the same day for a Kidical MASSIVE ride. This year we will be exploring the theme of community building as we cruise around Hilltop from People's Center to the All Live Are Precious monument. We'll make a few other stops along this 2-3 mile route. The neighborhood is relatively flat and this free event is open to riders of all ages and abilities.

Here's a rough map of our route. We'll pass the Hello, How Are You? installation, stop at the All Lives Are Precious monument and green space, then finish up with some playground time at McCarver Park. Expect ice cream near the end of the ride. What other stops should we include on this route?

Kidical Mass rides encourage families to ride bikes safely in the street by following the Rules of the Road. We ride at a kid's pace and stay together in a group. Helmets are required for all riders. Snacks are provided. Contact Matt with questions about the event at kidicalmasstacoma@gmail.com.

You can optionally RSVP for the event on Facebook.

This event is sponsored by Tacoma Washington Bicycle Club and the Puyallup Watershed Initiative Active Transportation Community of Interest.

July 2019: Pierce County Trails Day Ride in South Tacoma

Join Kidical Mass Tacoma and ForeverGreen Trails in a celebration of Pierce County Trails Day!

We'll start at 10am at South Park (meet at the big toy) and use the Flume Line Trail to ride about 1.7 miles to Oak Tree Park.  We'll stop in the big grassy area for a quick (~15min) break, before riding back to South Park where we'll have snacks.  We'll ride at kid pace and anticipate finishing about 11am.  This should keep us out of the high heat of the day, but the South Park play area also has a spray ground where riders can cool off.

Here's a map of the route:

Kidical Mass encourages families to ride bikes safely in the street by following the Rules of the Road. We ride at a kid's pace and stay together in a group. This event is open to riders of all ages and abilities. Helmets are required for all riders. Snacks are provided.

This event is sponsored by Tacoma Washington Bicycle Club and the Puyallup Watershed Initiative Active Transportation Community of Interest.

You can also RSVP on Facebook. We'll see you there!