Cyclists gearing up for Wellingborough's first Critical Mass

Cyclists of all ages and abilities are gearing up for Wellingborough's very first Critical Mass.

Northampton has a Critical Mass ride once a month and Wellingborough is just about to launch its own.

Cyclists are invited to meet from 6.30pm on Friday, July 31, outside Castello Lounge in the town centre before the ride starts at 7pm.

Samuel Shoesmith, who is helping organise the event, said: "This is a celebration of cycling, enjoying our public space and going for a pleasant ride but it is also topped off with a bit of a protest.

"We are reclaiming the space on the streets and demanding the council put in safe infrastructure and make changes to the highways to make it better for all."

While the Government is saying measures are needed to enable and encourage walking and cycling, such as creating pop-up cycle lanes, widening pavements and pedestrianising roads in the town centres, Samuel feels there has been no action in Wellingborough.

He said: "I saw during lockdown the massive surge in cycling.

"People in Wellingborough were getting on their bicycles and enjoying the empty roads and going about their lives, shopping, exercising, and leisurely cycling around.

"It's a great way to get fit, to be more social and move around in a safer and quieter way.

"However, without the changes, and as more and more people jump in cars, people on bicycles are being put off cycling.

"It should be safe and easy to cycle a couple of miles to the shops or to cycle to the next town or village.

"The roads are becoming less and less hospitable for people on bicycles as they are becoming busier and busier with cars.

"This needs to change."

Samuel hopes that Wellingborough's first Critical Mass will be well supported and show the town's need for greater provision for cyclists.

He said: "Critical Mass happens in cities and towns all over the world on the last Friday every month and I hope that Wellingborough's one will recur.

"I attended my first Critical Mass in Nottingham in 2014 and there were about 50 people cycling.

"It was wonderful.

"I went to launch Critical Mass in Wellingborough that year but I wondered whether anyone would actually come.

"The mood has certainly changed now as more and more people have seen the wonders of cycling over the past few months."

Samuel has been a fan of cycling for a long time and in the past year has got into walking too, to the point that he now considers himself an 'active travel advocate.'

He recently submitted a 14-page response to a consultation on the vision for Wellingborough town centre with suggestions including pedestrianising Sheep Street and Silver Street.

After seeing his comments, Wellingborough councillor Valerie Anslow got in touch and they decided to try and get some action for the town.

Cllr Anslow, who represents the Swanspool ward, said: "I am really pleased to be part of this inaugural event.

"I'll be up the back of the ride making sure everyone is safe and remains part of the group."

Samuel and Cllr Anslow have also been working with Tom Jones, a fellow active travel advocate in Wellingborough who is behind the @FamilyByCycle Twitter account, and they are all hoping the town's first Critical Mass will be a success.

For more details about the event, click here

The Northants Telegraph has contacted Northants County Council for a comment on the call for better provision for cyclists in Wellingborough.