With a light rain bouncing off their helmets, the cycling group known as Student Mass gathered Friday afternoon in the EMU Amphitheater for their latest trek across town.
Student Mass is an informal gathering of students and community members who bike for 30 to 40 minutes throughout Eugene to promote alternative means of transportation.
While the rain might have deterred some potential riders from coming out, more than 20 cyclists showed up for the monthly event. The Student Mass riders were met with cheers, waves and encouraging honks along their route.
“When you choose to drive a car, you choose to be a part of the system,” said biology major Jacob Meyer during the ride. “Someday, people will be honest and realize that our current transportation system is unsustainable.”
Student Mass is separate from Critical Mass, which has a long history of conflicts with the Eugene Police Department.
“As long as they’re orderly we have no problem with them,” said Jan Power, spokeswoman for the Eugene Police Department.
Ashton Burris, an environmental studies major, said riders have been issued tickets in the past during the demonstrations. However, there were no tickets issued during the course of this latest ride.
Burris stressed that bike riding is safer when people ride in big groups, because the group is more visible, and drivers are more cautious and respectful.
The rides are held the last Friday of each month and begin outside the EMU Amphitheater at 4 p.m.