Cassoday ? New signs aimed at the throngs of motorcyclists who attend a monthly rally in this small Kansas town have helped alleviate traffic congestion and soothe the frayed nerves of some residents, said a man who has lobbied to end the events.

Brett Nelson said things looked a lot better Sunday because of the signs.

“I think we’re going to get through this,” he told The Wichita Eagle.

Cassoday, a town of about 130 in the scenic Flint Hills region of south-central Kansas, has been a destination since 1991 for motorcyclists who take part in the Cassoday Bike Run on the first Sunday of each month. Attendance varies with the weather but can reach about 7,000 bikers. Last month, only about 25 people showed up because of rain.

Some residents have complained recently about the noise and commotion the bikers bring, which led to the petition being presented at a City Council meeting.

City Council member Joy Nelson said she walked around the rally Sunday and thought the signs, which urge the bikers to be quiet and tell them where they can park, helped, especially in getting bikes off the highway and roads and into parking areas. In the past, she said, bikes have been lined up two or three deep on some streets. Some riders parked on private property, blocking driveways, she said, and conveyed an attitude of “we own this place.”

She believes keeping control of the noise and congestion is “going to be an ongoing thing.”

Randy Wells, a board member of the Cassoday Bike Run, said he also thought riders and residents would work out their differences. He said riders are respectful and that most Cassoday residents enjoy the rally.

“I think the signs made a difference,” he said.

The City Council is scheduled to hear more public comments on Aug. 9.

Harold Roberts, who lives a mile east of Cassoday and owns several buildings there, said concerns were “blown totally out proportion” by a minority. Roberts, 90, who rents out space to vendors for the monthly rally, said there’s no way the rallies will end.

“They’re not going to stop it,” he said. “It’ll all work out.”