Starting Friday, The Salisbury Bicycle Club will canvas downtown in an effort to raise awareness about the presence of cyclists on streets.

The event is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. in the parking lot adjacent to the library. Salisbury Bike Coalition co-founder Eric Phillips said the cyclists would split off in pairs and ride through a 24-block area. It will be a leisurely ride, Phillips said.

Phillips said the bicycle coalition chose to have the ride — called the Salisbury Shuffle — during First Fridays because of the large number of people usually present downtown. Businesses and restaurants often also stay open late.

“Bicyclists do belong on the streets, and we are a valid form of transportation,” he said.

Phillips said bicyclists frequently avoid Salisbury’s busiest streets because of uncertainty about safety.

Phillips says he isn’t hoping for only bike lanes. Instead, he hopes for better transportation for all pedestrians.

He equated Friday’s event to a “critical mass” race. Unlike a “critical mass” race, all participants will be spread out.