Children are leading a bike ride in a call for safer roads in Sheffield

Dozens of children took part in a mass bike ride to call for safer bike insurance in Sheffield.

Along with adults, around 100 people joined the walk through the city center to highlight their message.

Organizer Faith Salih said: “We want changes so children can pedal independently, but the roads need to be safer.”

The bike ride was part of the international Kidical Mass movement, which promotes safe spaces for children to walk or cycle.

Mother-of-three Ms Salih said councilors attended Saturday’s event which was encouraging to help get their message across.

“Ideally what would work best for everyone is separated cycle lanes as it helps children and families feel safer, but it also means there are dedicated spaces, which is better for drivers too. I think drivers feel nervous around cyclists, especially children. .

“We had a speech from an 11-year-old girl at the end of the trip and she really brought home that she wants to cycle to school and into town and can do it independently but because the roads are safer.”

Ms Salih said there were some “really good bits of cycling infrastructure” in Sheffield, but the biggest problem was that it was not united.

She added: “Last year we did a ride in the suburbs and this year it was in the city center but fewer people took part because many families felt they couldn’t go into the city center with their bikes.”

Watch BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].