SAN FRANCISCO -- About two-thousand bicyclists turned out Friday evening for a peaceful Critical Mass ride through the city.

Riders weren't the only ones who turned out in larger-than-usual numbers this month. Police stepped up patrols after a woman said last month that rowdy cyclists surrounded her minivan, frightened her children and bashed in a window.

This time, there was a festive mood among the crowd on the warm spring evening. A group of riders even handed out fliers encouraging people to avoid confrontations with motorists and assist cars trapped in the street by getting out of the way.