Motorists shared the roads Friday with about 40 bikers, as students, professors and State College residents banded together to protest the war in Iraq.

Critical Mass -- a decade-old biking movement to reclaim public roadways for bicycles and to provide a safe environment for bikers that has taken place in more than 100 cities -- had an additional purpose this time.

Bikers organized to send the message "that we are not going to allow oil to be gained through murder," a flier read. Kathryn Johnston, a member of The Streets Project and organizer of the event, said she added the war protest to the Critical Mass ride because she believes one of the goals of going into Iraq is to tap into the oil reserve under Iraqi soil. Bikes are an oil-free mode of transportation.

When the Critical Mass bike ride for peace began at 5:30 p.m. in front of Osmond Lab, Johnston quieted the crowd to remind them of their purpose.

"Remember, this is a peaceful event," she said. "Don't harass the pedestrians or the cars."

Throughout the ride, two bikers clutched a banner reading "Penn State Says No to War." One bike displayed a sign with "Save Civilians and Troops: Cease Fire," while others displayed American flags and buttons.

Paul Simpson, president of the Centre Region Bike Coalition, joined the bikers in protest.

"I thought it was a perfect opportunity to make the statement that if people would stop using cars so much and rely on their own power for transportation, then we wouldn't be in the position of invading other countries to seize their oil assets," he said.

As traffic crawled, the protestors biked through campus, downtown and back through campus for more than an hour, each holding up two fingers as a sign of peace.

Four police officers on bicycles and a patrol car followed the mass of bikers to ensure everything went smoothly. A police officer asked the bikers to stay in one lane throughout the ride.

Some onlookers held up peace signs to support the protestors, while others booed or honked their horns.

Beth Rusticus (senior-visual arts) attended the event to gain awareness for bikers.

"It's not safe riding a bike in this town, and it's the best way to get around," she said.

She said she talked with friends about organizing her own Critical Mass ride before she heard about the bike for peace ride.

Johnston was pleased with the turnout.

"I think we definitely got people's attention," Johnston said. "We definitely got our message across on Park Avenue, because traffic got backed up back to the stadium."

Not all those who participated in the bike race were there for the sole purpose of promoting peace. Some attended to promote better bike safety, Johnston said.

"People are afraid to bike down Atherton [Street]," she said. "Biking together with just a small mass gives you added protection against cars and gives you more visibility. When you have a mass of people it's harder to ignore."