For once, cyclists had the right of way on State Street.
About 50 cyclists and a few roller-bladers participated in the Critical Mass Bike Race, a demonstration promoting the use of bikes for traveling short distances.
The Friday event was designed to draw attention to air pollution caused by cars and served as a kick-off Earth Week.
The cyclists traveled the streets of Ann Arbor for a half hour, holding up traffic and wearing signs reading "Honk if you like to bike," and "One less car."
SNRE senior Angie Farleigh, organizer of the ride, said she was hoping to get some attention and show people alternatives to driving.
"We just want to make people more aware of the effects of automobiles on the environment," Farleigh said.
About 65 to 80 percent of carbon monoxide in the atmosphere comes from motor vehicles, according to a pamphlet the organizers distributed in the Diag before the ride.
"Even though cars are becoming better environmentally and meeting better standards, pollution is still increasing because of the number of cars on the road and the amount of miles driven per day is increasing," said An Marie Rodgers, an SNRE second-year graduate student.
Another purpose of the demonstration was to exhibit how difficult it is for a cyclist to travel conveniently.
"Ann Arbor is a compact town where a lot of people like to bike," Farleigh said. "There have been a lot of people pushing for bike paths."
Christa Hawryluk, an SNRE second-year masters student, said the biking situation in Ann Arbor is not optimal.
"One thing I hate the most is that people ride their bikes on the sidewalks," Hawryluk said. "They are scared to ride them in the streets."
The city's design caters to the motorist, Hawryluk said.
"Bikers and pedestrians are second-class citizens compared to motorists," she said.
LSA junior Stephanie Cervelli, a member of the Michigan cycling team, said she always rides in the street.
"Cars don't like me on the street, pedestrians don't like me on the sidewalk," Cervelli said.
The local event was modeled after one that takes place monthly in San Francisco to promote bike use.
"There must be over a dozen cities that have demonstrations like this one," Hawryluk said.
JEANNIE SERVAAS/Daily
University students celebrate Earth Week by showing alternative methods of transportation on the Diag Friday. The students say biking is better for the environment than cars.