Manager of MSU Bikes Service Center Tim Potter said the event gained attendance of police officers from MSU police, LCC police, Lansing Police Department and the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office.

“More people joined us as we started the ride, (which) was from campus to (the) state Capitol, and we rode in silence,” Potter said.

“It was somber and powerful, yet emotional.”

Bike to Work Week was this past week with last Friday designated as Bike to Work Day. Education Coordinator Lauren Olson said MSU Bikes and the Office of Campus Sustainability held the first Bicycle to Work Breakfast this year, honoring MSU students, faculty and staff who bicycled to work with a free meal at Brody Square.

Olson said that efforts were being made to ensure people could commute easily on campus despite road construction projects.

“I think what is important in moving forward is education of bicyclists and drivers about how to safely share the road,” Olson said.

“Events such as the Bicycle to Work Breakfast, as well as MSU Bikes’ bicycle commuting workshops, are examples of working toward this goal of an educated campus.”

Coincidentally, graduate student Kevin Fleury and his biking partner, MSU alumna Emily Lawler, started an approximately 260-mile bike trip to Alpena, Mich., from East Lansing this month.

“Two years ago, we had a longer trip of about 500 miles. It is always fun to travel,” Fleury said.

“We really appreciate bikers and drivers who respect bikers. On this trip, truckers on U.S. 23 gave us a full lane to ride on. Such gestures are always appreciated by bikers like us.”