Bicyclists ride to support alternative mode of travel

Chris Richards Arizona Daily Wildcat Bicyclists take up a lane of Speedway Boulevard as part of yesterday's Critical Mass ride. The ride was designed to highlight the need for better bike lanes and encourage the use of alternative forms of transportation.

Many University of Arizona students met other cyclists behind the Ordinary Bike Shop, 741 N. Fourth Ave., and began the ride west on East University Boulevard.

Chris Ford, theatre arts senior, helped organize the event. He said the ride promotes the need for more bike lanes to accommodate a clean and safe mode of transportation.

"Bicycles are an effective means of transportation," Ford said. He said he has participated in eight Critical Mass rides.

Students support the event because many of them ride bicycles, Ford said.

Jodi Beebe, engineering junior, said she decided to participate because cycling is a cleaner alternative to automobiles. The Critical Mass ride was Beebe's first.

"I want to show my support and show the city that this is a viable form of transportation and that many citizens care about it," said Ben Hale, environmental public policy graduate student.

The last well-publicized ride was April 6, 1995, when 15 cyclists were arrested by Tucson police on charges of obstructing a highway or public thoroughfare. The riders were protesting pollution caused by motor vehicles.

Yesterday, the Critical Mass cyclists rode two abreast while following each other along the right-hand edge of the street.

Tucson Police Lt. Joyce Lingel and three bike patrol officers met with the participants before the ride and passed out flyers warning them not to obstruct roadways. The three bike patrol officers rode along with the cyclists and a patrol car followed the riders.

Lingel said the police were there to educate the riders and to make sure laws were enforced on the ride.

After riding west on University Boulevard, the riders went north on North Stone Avenue to East Speedway Boulevard, then east to North Euclid Avenue, south to East Sixth Street and on to North Fourth Avenue. The ride lasted about a half hour.