Cyclists hold awareness ride in Aurora
Bicycling enthusiasts who support the designation of bike lanes on Aurora streets held their third Critical Mass bike ride Sunday since organizing last fall, though the turnout wasn’t as massive as previous rides.
Melissa Stoneking, who often commutes by bicycle to work in Naperville, started a Facebook group “More Bike Lanes in Aurora, IL,” and set up group rides to call attention to her cause. Critical Mass rides are typically held in large cities on Friday nights to promote bicycle awareness, but Stoneking has set up her rides on Sunday afternoons to better accommodate suburbanites, she said.
On Sunday, the group of 10 bicyclists rode alongside cars on main streets in Aurora. From West Aurora High School, they went along Galena Boulevard, Orchard Road, Indian Trail and Route 31.
Similar rides were held last September and October, with 50 and 20 participants, respectively, Stoneking said. She’s planning another ride the last Sunday in May, and expects a larger turnout with warmer weather.
Stoneking said she’s like to see bike lanes on any of the busy streets in Aurora.
“The best place to have bike lanes is where there’s traffic,” Stoneking said. “That’s where people would be safe.”
Aurora approved a bike and pedestrian plan in July 2009, but Stoneking said it’s likely the city wants to see more support before establishing lanes. Currently, there is a bike lane on part of Eola Road.