Bicycling enthusiasts got off the roads and into ballrooms Monday to discuss bike safety at the Commons Hotel on campus.

The U.S. Department of Transportation event, in its second year, included panels on bicycling education and planning, and drew biking representatives from across the country.

After a rally attended by Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, the attendees were invited on a 3.25-mile bike tour of Minneapolis, which included popular bike routes in the University of Minnesota area like the Washington Avenue Bridge and 15th Avenue Southeast. About 30 bikers took off on the first pod of tours offered, many on Nice Ride bikes that were provided.