In light of recent events, and in an attempt to take the argument away from the origonal thread, I pose the question:
Do we accept injury and possible death as a possible part of Alleycats?

I've organized several races. There have been two instances in which people have been hit in races where I've helped plan the route. One was at an intersection that I knew would be tempting yet sketchy to run, but that I also knew there to be a route around.
Neither was life threatening.
I've spent the night in a hospital in St Petersburg FL holding the hand of a close friend who was hit in a race there. She was ok.

Alleycats are street races. There is a long history here, probably starting with running, then horses, chariots, cars, morotcycles, and now bikes. They have, I'm sure, always been mostly unruled. There has always been injury and death.

If we do apply rules, how do we keep it from turning into pro-style bike racing, which many of us won't or can't compete in due to the requirements on equipment and quasi-mandatory drug taking?

Will an alleycat with saftety rules still be an alleycat?
Will stated rules actually make them safer?
Is this simply a result of more people racing therefore raising the probability that someone wll be hit?
Should we prevent less experienced riders from competing in events that would push them beyond their ability (recognizing the fact that many injuries are sustained by very experienced riders)?

If this is too soon, feel free to lock it. If it's been covered, lock it.
I thought I'd give people a place to vent their ideas about the current situation.