In this time of uncertainty about dependence and prices of fuel, some have decided to lean on alternative modes of transportation.

Critical Mass is an informal group of cyclists, some of whom rely on their bicycles in the same way most people rely on their cars.

Tyler Jessen, senior in architecture, helped to bring the international cycling initiative to the city of Ames last September.

Those participating in Critical Mass – in Ames and other locations worldwide – ride as a group on the last Friday of every month. The Ames group has been deterred by the weather over the past few months, but Jessen said he plans to get a group together to ride this month.

“[Critical Mass is] just basically acknowledging that there is an alternate mode of transportation,” Jessen said.

He said the local response has mostly been positive. The cyclists have ridden past people going to the bars on Welch Avenue, he said, and they seemed to enjoy the sight.

Jessen said the Ames group began because a couple of students in the College of Design “wanted to go for a bike ride,” and they decided to join Critical Mass. The group does not have an established leader or an official route to travel during its monthly events.

In other locations, Critical Mass has run into some problems with some cyclists not respecting traffic laws and getting into trouble with the police, according to www.critical-mass.info.

Jessen said there have been a couple of incidents in which a situation “got out of control and out of line” in Ames but that the group does respect the law and does not encourage being confrontational with drivers.

He said there have been times when people have yelled at the bikers.

“We don’t encourage people yelling things back,” Jessen said.

He said the group is instead encouraged to say “thank you” or “have a nice day.”

Jessen said the Ames Critical Mass follows in the footsteps of a group called Critical Manner, which began cycling in reaction to the belligerent manner of some Critical Mass cyclists across the nation. Critical Manner encouraged respecting traffic laws and was not deliberately confrontational.

Jessen said safety is important to the Ames chapter of Critical Mass, so cyclists wear helmets during their ride.

“We ride in one lane, we stop at stop signs, we signal, and during nighttime, we ride with lights,” Jessen said.

The group has attracted 50 to 60 riders in past events, Jessen said. The October ride celebrated Halloween, and the cyclists wore costumes for the event. He said he hopes to have a special ride for the last month of the semester in honor of graduation.

Jessen is one Critical Mass cyclist who actually relies on his bicycle for everyday transportation needs. He said he has a road bike and a mountain bike. He uses the mountain bike during the winter and said he cleans it every day.

Though Jessen does own a car, he said he prefers his bicycle for simple errands such as grocery shopping.

Randall Miller, senior in architecture, is another cyclist who has participated in the Ames Critical Mass events. He said his first experience with the organization, however, was in Chicago, where he rode with a few thousand cyclists.

Jessen, who participated in Critical Mass in Kansas City, said that when groups get very large, as they often do in bigger cities, they need to acquire licenses. He said the Ames group would pursue getting a license if it brought in 70 to 100 riders.

Miller said he is involved in Critical Mass to make a statement about alternative forms of transportation. He said people rely too much on foreign oil.

“I don’t know if that message is that clear when we ride,” Miller said.

Miller has a car and said that, although he may not be the best example of someone who uses it infrequently, he is looking for a place to live after graduation where he doesn’t need to use a car.

Ryan Dirks, senior in architecture, does not own a car and fully relies on his bicycle or the bus for his daily transportation needs.

Dirks said he read about Critical Mass online and heard it was pretty big in San Francisco and Chicago and that both casual and serious cyclists participate.

“It’s pretty laid back,” Dirks said.