Baprun: When the bikes roll out for the children

On the site at Åby in Mölndal you’ll find bouncy castles, larger-than-life mascots, food trucks, motorbikes with sidecars and sleek sports cars ready to whisk excited children away – and everything is free for the kids.

“Everyone is welcome, whatever their background, but we focus especially on families who can’t afford days out at places like Liseberg,” the organisers explain. “Here the children get it all, without parents having to open their wallets.”

This year, more than 800 children and 100 motorbikes turned up, even though the rain poured all day. The Baprun team had thought of everything: ponchos were handed out the moment the weather turned. The children’s laughter is its own reward, yet there is a serious undertone.

Baprun – Bikers Against Paedophiles Run

Baprun’s mission is unambiguous: break the silence surrounding child sexual abuse and demand tougher sentences.

“It’s a difficult subject to talk about,” says founder Mikael Petersson. “Many steer clear of it. But we won’t be quiet. Child sexual abuse is a serious public-health issue, and sentencing must reflect the damage these crimes cause.”

Year five of Baprun – how it began

Everything started in 2020 with a T-shirt. Mikael Petersson, who had spent his life riding, was to feature in a motorcycle magazine with his custom-painted Harley-Davidson. He wore a shirt bearing a strong statement against child sexual abuse. The shirt drew attention – and sparked something bigger.

“I’d always donated here and there, but felt no one was doing anything directly for the children themselves.”

And so Baprun was born. Since then, thousands of children have enjoyed a day of pure happiness, entirely free of charge. The vision is crystal-clear: every child deserves a wonderful day of laughter and joy – at no cost to their families.

The annual procession – a silent but powerful protest

Each year the day includes a ride-out around Gothenburg: an unspoken yet powerful statement against child abuse. Riders pay a fee to join the procession, and that fee – like the entrance to the site – goes straight towards funding the day’s activities for the children.

Baprun is more than a one-off event. Throughout the year the team organises a Christmas dinner together with ATSUB Gothenburg – an association for relatives of sexually abused children.

“We were invited the first year,” says Mikael. “Now it’s a given. We provide presents and help out all day. It can’t just be words.”

Every child receives age-appropriate gifts, cuddly toys and sometimes outings – to Kolmården wildlife park, or this year to Astrid Lindgren’s World. And 2025 brings an even bigger step: a dedicated summer camp.

A healing camp – “Friends for Life”

At the end of the summer Baprun will run its first Friends for Life camp: a long weekend for ten mothers and their daughters (aged 9–14) from across Sweden. Entry, sadly, requires that they have experienced sexual abuse.

“It hurts to say it,” Mikael admits, “but that’s what makes this so important.”

Everything – travel, meals, accommodation and activities – is free. Yet the logistics aren’t the main point; it’s what happens between the participants.

“We hope these mothers and girls will find one another. Someone to phone when things are heavy. No-one should feel alone.”

The camp is designed as a safe space where it’s fine simply to be – to laugh, share memories or sit quietly together. A seed for future friendship and strength.

A community, not a club

Baprun has grown with heart at its core. The team visit shows, meet other riders, gather sponsors and build relationships. On Gotland, a local group runs its own ride and sends the surplus to Gothenburg. Running Baprun has become a full-time commitment. From two people at the outset they are now fourteen volunteers working year-round – often unpaid – to keep everything running.

“We’ve grown fast and there’s a lot to juggle. But as long as it’s fun – and as long as the kids benefit – we’ll keep going.”

When the engines fall silent and children head home clutching balloons, eyes sparkling, the team behind Baprun know they’ve made a difference.

“We do this for the children, and so society stops looking the other way. Our motto is: No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.”

Want to help?

Behind every child’s laugh at Åby lie hours of volunteer work, sponsors with heart and people who care. If you’d like to be part of it – as a volunteer, corporate partner or by sending a contribution – you’ll find more information at:

www.baprun.se
Swish: 123-568 94 76

Together, we can create more days filled with joy – and stand up for those whose voices too often go unheard.