From: Bicycle Colorado

Action Alert from Bicycle Colorado Better Riding...Much Better!
November 22, 2005


Dear Denver,

We need your help to overturn the State Patrol's decision to ban popular bike rides in Colorado. Please take a minute and follow the steps below. Together we can overturn this decision and improve safety for bike events. Thanks!!


BIG BIKE EVENTS BANNED!!

The Colorado State Patrol has just added a policy banning the biggest bicycle events in Colorado!! Their new policy:

Limits bicycle and triathlon events to 2,500 riders
The limit can be lowered at any time putting every event at risk
Bicycle tours, races, charity rides, group rides, and triathlons are affected



WHAT YOU CAN DO

Follow these four steps at:

http://www.BicycleColorado.org/to/petition

ADD YOUR NAME: Sign the petition to overturn this damaging policy.
GET OUT THE WORD: Please send this email to other bicyclists. We can only win this issue with a huge outcry.
USE YOUR VOICE: Send an email/fax/call State Patrol Chief Mark Trostel asking him to reverse this policy and include bicyclists in discussions regarding bike events.
STRENGTHEN THE EFFORT: Bicycle Colorado is here to lead this campaign and protect bicyclists' rights but this campaign is going to require long hours and extra resources. We need your financial support to overturn this bike ban.

Take Action Now...

SAFETY HAS NO LIMITS

The State Patrol says that they are using this ban to “ensure safety.” But a random cap does not address safety of bicyclists. Safety is based on good event planning, educated bicyclists, traffic management plans, safe roads, and law-abiding motorists. A well-run event can be safe for 10,000 bicyclists and a poorly-run event can be unsafe for 100 riders.

The 2,500 cap is subjective and may be changed at any time by the State Patrol. If tomorrow they decide that 500 is a “safer” number, amazing rides are at risk like Elephant Rock, Triple Bypass, Ride the Rockies, MS 150, Iron Horse Classic, Courage Classic, Bicycle Tour of Colorado, Tour de Cure, Mount Evans Hill Climb, and on and on.

Colorado’s largest bicycle event, The Elephant Rock, reports having only one car-bike crash in nineteen years. This fact strongly questions bicyclist safety as the reason for this ban. Is this the bicycle-friendly Colorado you want?

Take Action Now...

BAD POLICY DECISION

Keep in mind that the State Patrol officers are heroes to bicyclists. They cite unsafe drivers and provide emergency assistance. But this is a bad policy decision which they need to reverse. Bicyclists, event promoters, state bicycle planners, businesses, and event sponsors were excluded from behind-the- scenes meetings on this policy.


TAKE ACTION NOW

We formally asked the State Patrol to reverse their decision and they declined. Now is the time to act. With the holiday season here, we may be strapped by a small outcry because people are too busy to act. Apathy could let this ban stay in place. Take action today and protect your right to bicycle. Together we can end bike bans and build a bicycle- friendly Colorado.

Take Action Now...

DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN IN COLORADO

i added my name to the petition.

i agree that a cap on numbers doesn't address anything. safety doesn't seem the reason. as cited in the email these rides are quite safe. it seems more like a traffic conflict me to. i bet the police department got a number of complaints about these rides affecting the flow of traffic and this is the reaction.

I guess no limit on the number of cars on the road. :mad:

Are they crazy? What about the tourism dollars?!

I know that I'm being naive, but isn't this a wierd bit of discrimination. The State Patrol can't ban motorists from all using the same piece of road to go on vacation or to a sporting event. How can they then arbitrarily cite/ban cyclists. Seems almost like a civil rights issue. Not that it would happen, but what if 10,000 people in Denver all decided to commute by bicycle tomorrow, would that be illegal? Seems pretty flimsy, the question is only if someone has the funds to fight it in the courts.

-Marcus

I know that I'm being naive, but isn't this a wierd bit of discrimination. The State Patrol can't ban motorists from all using the same piece of road to go on vacation or to a sporting event. How can they then arbitrarily cite/ban cyclists. Seems almost like a civil rights issue. Not that it would happen, but what if 10,000 people in Denver all decided to commute by bicycle tomorrow, would that be illegal? Seems pretty flimsy, the question is only if someone has the funds to fight it in the courts.

-Marcus

well, i don't think commuting would fit into the mold of being an "event". the way i read this is that any organized event will be capped at 2,500 or less if necessary. so, oganizations would have to limit the number of participates - which is especially damaging for charities.

I suspect this is something that can be successfully fought against. The Colorado Highway Patrol is probably hoping that not enough people care to make a difference.

All done in the name of Safety. And yet, they don't ban cell phones use in cars.
I signed the petition.

Nick

Signed it. (bump)

I posted this in

USENET - rec.bicycles.rides
USENET - rec.bicycles.misc
BikeJournal.com
BikeForums.net

Could someone post in the other cycling forums of which I do not take part?

This is poor crap, I SIGNED IT.
Denver it is posted on MTBR too.

I know that I'm being naive, but isn't this a wierd bit of discrimination. The State Patrol can't ban motorists from all using the same piece of road to go on vacation or to a sporting event. How can they then arbitrarily cite/ban cyclists. Seems almost like a civil rights issue. Not that it would happen, but what if 10,000 people in Denver all decided to commute by bicycle tomorrow, would that be illegal? Seems pretty flimsy, the question is only if someone has the funds to fight it in the courts.
Many organized rides do things such as pavement markings and rest stops that may be on the highway right of way (even if they are on a wide shoulder) - things that typically need an "enroachment permit" approved by the state DOT. The state police probably have some input as to whether or not the permit is approved, as criteria for approval of the permit are things such as impacts on traffic, etc. These rides could still legally happen without an approved permit, but then there could be no road markings, all of the rest stops would have to be on private property, and police would likely make life miserable by strictly enforcing no more than two-abreast laws.

Who lobbied for the ban? Which specific events does the (current, but could be lowered) 2500 limit affect? Where did the friction start between a large event and the CSP or those that lobbied them?

Al

Why don't we just ensure that that dangerous 2501st rider who causes all the trouble is banned? Perhaps that's why they want to reduce it to below 2500 on occasion in case he sneaks in at 1756.

Campaigners might mention other events, such as the Tour des Isles, Montreal (40,000), the London to Brighton Ride in aid of Heart charity (35,000) and the big South African one whose name I forget, roughly the same number.

Perhaps they should have FEMA standing by. Or even Michael (the gall of him) Brown who, I hear, has set up as a disaster recovery consultant!

http://www.csp.state.co.us/specevent1.cfm

Notice to Applicant
An application and permit will be required for any athletic or special event on state highways that requires any type of road closure, restriction, or may create a significant impact to the motoring public.

The maximum number of participants for any timed event/bicycle tour or race will be 2,500.

No application or permit is required for most events that have less than 50 participants unless the event requires any type of road closure, restriction, or may create a significant impact to the motoring public.

What a crock! Colorado bicyclists pay taxes that pay the colorado state patrols wages. What the hell are they thinking? Don't CO cyclist have the right to share the roads they pay for? :mad: I put my name down.

I signed it too.

Doesn't the constitution give me, and whatever number of others, the right to gather peacefully. I don't think that it specifies that the gathering has to stay in one place.... :)

anything suggesting cyclists have a less viable claim to the road than anyone else, in any number or for any reason, i'm against. **** that, **** it, and once again, **** it. **** the people who lobbied for it, too.

signed, sealed, and delivered.

"It's nothing personal, just business."

I think it is a great idea. So much so, I plan on recommending they expand the idea to limit Bronco games to 2,500 spectators. Same for CU, CSU and all high school events. :eek:


Signed the petition as well.

I think it is a great idea. So much so, I plan on recommending they expand the idea to limit Bronco games to 2,500 spectators. Same for CU, CSU and all high school events. :eek:


Signed the petition as well.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_4273507,00.html

I'm curious. Does anybody know what inspired this move? Did I miss something?

I'm curious. Does anybody know what inspired this move? Did I miss something?

My best guess is that this is a political ploy by the State Patrol for more funding for more officers, claiming their officer census has not kept up with Colorado's population, which is true, and now that the voter's have authorized a modification of our TABOR Act (which kept the state at a poverty level the past 3 years), the CSP wants their share of the $$.

Just a guess, but the timing is amazing.

Please read the article from the Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_3263295


Summary:
The Colorado State Patrol has added an alarming new policy banning the biggest bicycle events in Colorado! Their new policy limits bicycle and triathlon events to 2,500 riders, but this limit can be lowered at any time putting every event at risk. Bicycle tours, races, charity rides, group rides, and triathlons are all affected.

SAFETY HAS NO LIMITS
The State Patrol says that they are using this ban to “ensure safety.” But a random cap has no effect on the safety of bicyclists. Safety is based on good event planning, educated bicyclists, traffic management plans, safe roads, and law-abiding motorists. A well-run event can be safe for 10,000 bicyclists and a poorly-run event can be unsafe for 100 riders. An arbitrary cap punishes everyone and discourages all events.


Bicycle Lovers please follow the link and sign the petition and write a letter to the State Patrol using the link. Please forward this link to your bicycle loving friends. We can make a difference.


http://bicyclecolo.org/site/page.cfm?PageID=651

spent the morning gaining support to overturn this decision.
response from Lance's website:
"We’re already working this for sure…
Cheers, Chris Brewer..."

Please remember, you can write the State Patrol using the link at Bicycle Colorado
Link to the article in the Denver Post
http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_3263295

Please create an email with the proper links and send it to all your bicycle friends.

Thanks, Mayonnaise. I was just about to post this.

Does anyone know of any similar limits in other states, or a good place to get safety stats? If Iowa can do RAGBRAI with ~10k riders every year, why can't we do that here in CO?

This is rich:

But CSP says the rider cap is a necessary response to safety and resource concerns. "We've had everything from people throwing tacks out the back of pickup trucks to take out a bunch of cyclists, to drunk drivers getting out and attacking the bicyclists as they're making their way around the course," says one Colorado State Patrol officer.

Sounds like the problem isn't exactly the cyclists.

http://www.9news.com/acm_news.aspx?OSGNAME=KUSA&IKOBJECTID=dfa5caed-0abe-421a-009c-c86ac04945cf&TEMPLATEID=0c76dce6-ac1f-02d8-0047-c589c01ca7bf

I think all the Denver peeps are aware of this news. It was on 9news last night and in the paper as well, also all over bicycle websites.
Thanks

I've signed the petition.

But if it doesn't change their position, then the SP should already realize that there is going to be a lot of poachers riding anyway. In essence the SP are going to bring on a critical mass of cyclists that will speak volumes.

In the end it may be better for cycling advocacy to create such a stir.

I say bring it.

Dear concerned citizen:

We have recently received your email/letter regarding our new policy to cap the number of participants to 2,500 per timed special events on State highways.

The principal reason for this action is to ensure the safety of cyclists and motorists as they continue to share more time on Colorado's roadways. We must also have a span of control that is beneficial to the participants, members of the motoring public, and our agency. After numerous consultations with civic leaders and cyclists (racing and tourists) in and around the metro area, and knowing what our own limitations are concerning safe escorts for special events, we have concluded a cap of 2,500 participants meets the needs of those who regulate and promote most cycling tours and races. As our resources are based on the number of registered participants, and as the number of unregistered riders continues to increase, a breakdown in safety occurs, which we will not compromise.

Please note that this policy does not pertain to events in incorporated cities. This policy punishes no entity, as promoters are not limited in the number of events they wish to sponsor. With the exception of two events in Colorado that are run on Colorado highways, the rest of the races and tours have a cap limit or number of registered participants that is below the threshold of 2,500.

Thank you for your correspondence. We look forward to continuing our support of cycling and other outdoor recreation activities in Colorado, and hope you will do your part to promote safe riding.

Should you have any further questions/comments, please contact the Colorado State Patrol Public Affairs Office at: csppublicaffairs@cdps.state.co.us.


Sergeant Jeff Goodwin
Public Affairs Section
Denver Headquarters
700 Kipling Street, Suite 1100
Denver, CO 80215-5865
Office - 303-239-4574
Cell - 303-961-2935

I agree Telenick, Bring it I got my bike gloves on and I'm ready!!! :D
Oh, I signed the petition myself TOO!!!

Not being a resident of Colorado and not being aware of Colorado laws, I don't understand how the Colorado State Patrol has any right to make policy on road usage. In most states, police agencies are usually an enforcement part of law, not policy makers.

I believe that the CSP grants special use permits for organized bike rides. So they do "own" some of the control over these types of organized events. Don't quote me though.

Not being a resident of Colorado and not being aware of Colorado laws, I don't understand how the Colorado State Patrol has any right to make policy on road usage. In most states, police agencies are usually an enforcement part of law, not policy makers.

My thoughts exactly. The state legislature can giveth and taketh.

Here is some of the problem our state is in a hugh budget crisis. The state has cut funds to the SP, so this has an effect on how many officers they can provide for Large Events.
Yes, there is WAY MORE then just this but this has just started to unfold in the last two days. The SP claims they are doing this cause of safety but I'm sure there is more then meets the eye on this topic.
We will do our best to keep everyone updated.

The issue of limits on participation in large bike events comes up here in the Southeast. Two centuries come to mind: The Assault on Mt. Mitchell and The Six-Gap Century.

In the case of Mt. Mitchell, the U.S. Park Service (since the ride crosses into a national park) imposed a limit of, if I remember correctly, 1500 riders. I think the Park Service overreacted and set the limit too low – I don’t see any valid safety issue that justifies that limit. The section of the ride in the Park is about 80 miles into the course and the riders tend to be spread out at that point. I believe that the Park Service is behaving like a bunch of bureaucrats who aren’t responsive to the public.

On the other hand, the limit of 2500 for the Six-Gap (I don’t know who imposed it and I could be off on the number) is reasonable given that many of the roads are narrow with blind curves – I believe there is a legitimate safety issue.

My point is that our rights (under the First Amendment) to assemble are not absolute – state and local governments do have the authority to impose reasonable restrictions in light of other considerations – like safety. If you’ve ever been at a mass start with 2499 other riders, you’ll have to admit that that’s a lot of bikes sharing the road at one time and in one place.

That said, I think that a blanket limit of 2500 in all cases is arbitrary and some flexibility should be allowed if the sponsors work to mitigate the risks – staggered starts, for example.

An application and permit will be required for any athletic or special event on state highways that requires any type of road closure, restriction, or may create a significant impact to the motoring public.

I have one thing to say: **** the motoring public.

Oh, those poooooor motorists!

Here is some of the problem our state is in a hugh budget crisis. The state has cut funds to the SP, so this has an effect on how many officers they can provide for Large Events.
Yes, there is WAY MORE then just this but this has just started to unfold in the last two days. The SP claims they are doing this cause of safety but I'm sure there is more then meets the eye on this topic.
We will do our best to keep everyone updated.

Soooo, exactly why are the police needed for an event if all the cyclists are riding legally where they should be on the road?
If they limit cyclist numbers because of vehicle drivers, what's next? Since they can't control the offenders, they control the victims.

Last time I was in Colorado I noticed that they had sold all the "natural" wonders to privateers who then charge exorbitant rates for what used to be free to the public.

Some bridge, some Cave in Colorado Springs, a fake waterfall near the cave, etc.

I'll never go back to Colorado if I can help it. It's Vegas/Disney in the mountains.

I can see needing a permit if the police are doing road closures or doing traffic control at an uncontrolled intersection to stop cross traffic so cyclists can go through. But if it's just 2500 individual cyclists, each following the rules of the road, then I don't see how the police have any legal authority to stop the ride.

I think a big event should ignore the 2500 rider limit and plan a ride anyway. But that would probably never happen, as the event wouldn't want to risk friction with the police and bad publicity.

I have one thing to say: **** the motoring public.

Oh, those poooooor motorists!

quoted for truth.

There are limits on rides around this area, but I'm not sure if that's from an outside source, or the club organizing the ride feels that's about as many as they can porvide support for.

Signed it. (bump)
+1

Thousands show dismay with State Patrol edict
By Jason Blevins
Denver Post Staff Writer

After the 11th annual Bicycle Tour of Colorado last year, Greg Brophy joined hundreds of bedraggled riders in delivering a standing ovation to the motorcycle formation of Colorado State Patrol troopers who had kept them safe during the week-long ride.

Today, he joins thousands of Colorado cyclists in delivering another kind of salute to the State Patrol, which recently decided to cap the number of cyclists in any organized race or tour at 2,500. The decision threatens to end two of the state's largest rides, the Elephant Rock and Triple Bypass.

"This makes me really angry and I am taking this very, very seriously," said Brophy, a Republican state senator from Wray whose legs were broken when he was struck by a distracted motorist during an organized ride outside Steamboat Springs in July 2004. "It is an arbitrary and arrogant act. It oversteps their bounds and I will not stand for it. They say this is a final decision. Well, guess what, it's not final."

Brophy and Rep. Terrance Carroll, D-Denver, fired off a letter to State Patrol Chief Mark Trostel on Wednesday, saying his decision appeared to be made "in a vacuum" and it "displays disrespect for the public you are sworn to protect." The legislators are urging the State Patrol to reconsider its decision.

That's not going to happen, said State Patrol spokesman Sgt. Jeff Goodwin, adding that they expected an outcry from cyclists.

"Our stance is firm," Goodwin said. "We knew this was coming. No one likes change, especially when you are dealing with a very avid group of bicycling enthusiasts."

A petition organized by the nonprofit Bicycle Colorado two days ago has harvested the signatures of more than 10,000 Colorado cyclists urging the State Patrol to reconsider its decision, said the group's executive director, Dan Grunig.

Grunig said he fears local communities may follow the State Patrol's lead and impose limits on riders on county roads. The State Patrol directive applies only to bicycle races and tours on state highways that stretch through several jurisdictions.

"If this gets a toehold and sticks around, it could have really broad ramifications," he said.

Goodwin said a team of State Patrol leaders worked with the Colorado Department of Transportation to determine the safest number. That team ran a proposed rider cap past Rep. Al White, R-Winter Park, and Rep. Gary Lindstrom, D-Breckenridge, and neither objected to a limit.

Heck, if we banned all but 2,500 cars on state highways, it would certainly make the job of the state patrol a lot easier!

"This makes me really angry and I am taking this very, very seriously," said Brophy..."It is an arbitrary and arrogant act. It oversteps their bounds and I will not stand for it. They say this is a final decision. Well, guess what, it's not final."

Brophy and Rep. Terrance Carroll, D-Denver, fired off a letter to State Patrol Chief Mark Trostel on Wednesday...The legislators are urging the State Patrol to reconsider its decision.

That's not going to happen, said State Patrol spokesman Sgt. Jeff Goodwin, adding that they expected an outcry from cyclists.

"Our stance is firm," Goodwin said. "We knew this was coming. No one likes change, especially when you are dealing with a very avid group of bicycling enthusiasts."
Sounds like they're testing us to see how strong our influence is.

how many thousands of cars pass through the Eisenhower Tunnel each day belching out how many millions of tons of carbon monoxide into the beautiful Colorado air?

They see bicycling as an inconvenience where I see a perpetuation of a car dominated culture/lifestyle.

Safety? Hogwash. How many dead cyclists have the CSP had to scrap off the pavement in the last 5 years? How many motorists?

If you get people on their bikes you get them out of their cars.

Oh how I’d love a Critical Mass type event at the Eisenhower Tunnel.

Last time I was in Colorado I noticed that they had sold all the "natural" wonders to privateers who then charge exorbitant rates for what used to be free to the public.

Some bridge, some Cave in Colorado Springs, a fake waterfall near the cave, etc.

I'll never go back to Colorado if I can help it. It's Vegas/Disney in the mountains.

And their skiing is overpriced.

What if two events were planned on the same day? Woudld the total still need to be <2500 as the CSP resources would be divided?

Are they trying to get organizers to pay for CSP? If a club holds a large event they are required to hire a certain number of officers.

Al

What are they gonna do if 10,000 cyclists decide to go on a bike ride one Monday morning during rush hour?