BYU NewsNet - Mass of Provo Bicyclists Pedal for Awareness, Fun

It's about the ride.

No metaphors, no clichés, no "learn as you go."

It's really about the ride.

Critical Mass, a bicycling event originally founded to raise awareness for bikers, occurs one Friday a month in more than 300 cities worldwide. Provo's Critical Mass gathers the first Friday of every month, including this Friday, Oct. 3rd, at 5:30 p.m.

Rob Brill, a regular participant in Provo's bicycle event, said the goal of the bike ride is not really to raise awareness anymore, but rather to have some fun.

"We all just get together, ride bikes and have a good time," Brill said. "Maybe it does help motorists know bikers are out there, but we really just want bikers to know about other bikers."

Participants meet in front of the Provo courthouse at the intersection of Center Street and University Avenue. According to a press release, mountain bikers, beach cruisers, tandem riders, road and track bikers, commuters, fixed gears and tricyclists are invited to attend.

The bicycle route is determined once the ride gets going.

"The person in front sets the route we will go," Brill said. "The front man is the commander."

Bryce Cline, a 23-year-old BYU student from Seattle Wash., studying pre-communications, is an avid bike rider.

"It's fun and entertaining and gets you outdoors," Cline said. "And, I like to think green."

Jared Moench, a BYU student from Salt Lake City, studying theatre and media arts, has biked across Europe. He leisure rides with friends but also rides his bike to school.

"I hate driving," Moench said. "I get to school faster and I get to park closer when I ride my bike."

The bicycle event tonight is on Facebook under "October Critical Mass." More than 150 people have confirmed their participation in the ride.

Provo's Critical Mass started last spring. The number of participants fluctuates from month to month, generally depending on the weather. With the start of school, however, attendance at the event has been steadily increasing. Nearly 90 people participated in last month's ride.

In additional information provided by Critical Mass, the event has no leadership or official membership. Because of its minimal organization, the event remains free from parade or protest categorizations and thus free from break-up by city authorities.