Mass bike ride boss promises return, blames ‘the Karens’ as police probe safety
Sunday, 26 July 2026
Hamilton police are disappointed with the behaviour of a mass grassroots bike event but the man behind it says riders are “just being real’’.
Kimami Ngaluafe, known online as Pass Me the Ball, organised the Hamilton event as the 11th ride-out for his Bike Life Collective initiative.
The Auckland-based organiser said the project’s simple mission is to tour the country and encourage people to get on bikes and get outside.
However, many events including Saturday’s have seen massed riders blocking traffic, cycling on the wrong side of the road, not wearing helmets and doing wheelies and BMX tricks on busy roads.
“We’re creating a platform where we’re normalising safety,” Ngaluafe says.
“We’re encouraging them to wear helmets. We’re encouraging them to keep left, which they don’t do in their own time. They have bad habits, and we’re creating good habits at our rides because we come from similar backgrounds.”
Many riders come from troubled or hard-to-reach backgrounds, which sometimes shows in behaviours such as riding on the wrong side of the road, he says.
Ngaluafe said the events deliberately creates a positive space alongside more experienced riders so safer practices can take hold.
Free helmets are handed out at each ride — usually five or ten per ride — paid for from the organisers’ own pockets and community contributions.
Ngaluafe said the group has already sat down with police, councils, local boards before events.
“Our goal with the police is just to keep everyone safe and making sure that everybody goes home safely.”
Since the rides began there have been no accidents.
In five months the collective has staged 11 events, mostly on the North Island, and attracted more than 2000 riders in total.
The largest single turnout reached 350. While the focus includes youth who may struggle with anxiety or limited social connections, the rides welcome all ages and fitness levels.
Ngaluafe, who has a family of six, says he wants to spread the joy and affordability of riding together.
“It’s free and it’s fun,” he said.
“When you connect with someone face to face, it’s more stronger than it is when you’re talking over the phone.”
A North Shore Auckland ride is scheduled for the coming Saturday, with a Huntly event expected within the following fortnight.
Word spreads largely through Ngaluafe’s social media, where casual calls for people to “get on bikes and get outside” continue to draw growing numbers.
He told The Waikato Times safety will continue to improve and the events will continue despite objections from “the Karens’’ and “impatient motorists’’.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day. Each ride-out we’re seeing more numbers wearing helmets… and more keeping left.”
For Ngaluafe the reward is watching people buy bikes, step away from screens and rediscover outdoor connection.
He estimates more than 200 took part in Saturday’s event.
However, Hamilton Police Senior Sergeant Joanne Porima told the Waikato Times police are pursuing enquiries following the event.
“A number of dangerous riding behaviours were observed, putting both participants and the wider public at risk.
“A vehicle was impounded after dangerous driving was witnessed, and Police are now making follow-up enquiries to hold some other participants to account.’’
Anyone who witnessed dangerous behaviour, or who has photos or video that might be of use to our enquiries, can submit it online through the 105 service, referencing event number P067106043.