Today the Colorado State Patrol backpedaled from its recent decision to limit organized cycling events to 2,500 riders.
Chief Mark Trostel delayed for one year the enforcement of the directive, which has prompted outcry from the state’s cycling community and a handful of state legislators.
“I’ve had a lot of input in support of this too,” Trostel said at a press conference in the State Patrol’s Lakewood headquarters. “In the spirit of cooperation and problem solving, I have decided to delay the implementation of this cap.”
Trostel’s decision comes a week after announcing the cap, three days after a State Patrol spokesman said the cap was “written in stone,” and the day after the Lance Armstrong Foundation said it would cut Denver from its planned inaugural Livestrong Ride tour, which requires at least 3,500 riders to meet fundraising goals.
Trostel said the decision to impose a cap was made in the name of safety and balancing the needs of cyclists, motorists and homeowners along the routes of the state’s most popular rides. He noted “the underlying lack of civility” between both cyclists and motorists during the state’s busiest rides as an impetus to imposing the cap.
“These events put us between a rock and a hard place,” Trostel said. “Both sides here need to understand the needs of the other.”
The State Patrol licenses 185 events on the state’s highways. The cycling events pose the most trouble to the patrol, Trostel said. He said he “is comfortable” with the cap, but will entertain the cycling community’s and legislators’ concerns during the 12-month delay.
“I would say we have to be flexible with that number,” he said. “But this may be the best number in terms of safety.”
Anything short of eliminating the ban altogether is not acceptable, said Sen. Greg Brophy, a Republican from Wray who cycles in organized events and has vowed to fight the ban..
“I am not going to negotiate numbers. I more than willing to negotiate with them about how we can continue to make these events safer as Colorado grows,” said Brophy, lamenting the cap’s impact on bike tourism and Colorado’s hard-earned reputation as a bike-friendly state. “I am very happy they have suspected the rule for a year so we can continue this discussion.”
Staff Writer Jason Blevins can be reached at 303-820-1374 or jblevins@denverpost.com
