Fuck the "protect the children" bullshit. I've seen them ride past and you can't actually see much. They're going too fast, theres a whole bunch of them, the bike equipment is in the way, and most have backpacks. I would not care if my children saw and in fact, would laugh along with them at the people just having a great time.
I wouldn't be comfortable taking part myself but would never stop other people doing it.