Fifty turn out for Sunday (Critical) Mass

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Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

AURORA – About 50 bicyclists took to the streets Sunday afternoon to raise awareness of bike safety, and call for more bike lanes in the city.

The event was part of the worldwide Critical Mass movement, which finds bike riders coming together to show solidarity. Sunday’s ride, the first of its kind in Aurora, was organized by 29-year-old Melissa Stoneking, and promoted on Facebook and through word of mouth.

Riders of all ages made their way from West Aurora High School through downtown, to the far East Side and back, using Galena Boulevard, New York Street, Liberty Street, Eola Road and McCoy Drive, riding a total of 16 miles. They did so as a group, taking up one lane of traffic and waving signs that read “Critical Mass” and “Thank You,” and they finished their two-hour sojourn without incident or injury.

Stoneking emphasized that Critical Mass is not a protest. But her goal, she said, was to call attention to the need for more bike lanes on Aurora’s streets, and several of her fellow riders agreed.

“I’ve had a lot of close calls,” said Dave Lasee of Aurora. “People don’t see you, and you have to slam on the brakes.”

Lasee’s last incident with a driver happened only a couple of days ago, he said, pointing to the scabs on his knee. He rides about 1,000 miles a year, he said, and he’s heard it all. Drivers, he said, will yell at him, telling him to get off the street, and some will scream past him on purpose, trying to run him off the road.

Bob and Betty Gaul of Aurora said they are often scared to ride their bikes on the roads. In fact, they said, they were yelled at on the way to Critical Mass on Sunday, by a motorist who nearly ran into them while turning into a church driveway. Bike lanes, they said, would help cut down on accidents.

Last October, Aurora approved a bike and pedestrian plan, which is available on the city’s website (www.aurora-il.org). City Spokesman Kevin Stahr said there are plans to add a bike lane to Prairie Street, from Woodlawn to Edgelawn avenues, by the end of the year, with Frontenac Street (between Ogden Avenue and McCoy Drive) on the docket for 2011.

In November, Stahr said, the city plans to form a bike and pedestrian committee to identify future bike lane projects. It will be made up of city staffers and residents. Those interested in joining should contact Traffic Engineer Eric Gallt, at egallt@aurora-il.org.

“Anyone saying bike lanes are not on our radar, that couldn’t be further from the truth,” Stahr said.

Stoneking said she was pleased with Sunday’s turnout, and plans another event on Oct. 31. (“Everyone can wear costumes,” she said.) Most importantly, she said, the higher-than-expected attendance proves that people in Aurora do want bike lanes on city streets.

“I hope we get even more people next time,” she said.