The SLO BIke Club should hope this doesn’t catch on.
It’s a proposed ordinance by the Roads Department in Santa Clara county that would require organized bicycle events to get permits from the county.
A rural area of the county has been upset about some organized events in the past, and this year was particularly inconvenienced by a visit by the Tour of California, allegedly without adequate warning. Sound familiar, SLOBC?
If enacted next month by the supervisors, all events with 50 or more riders would have to get a permit that would be wholly at the discretion of the county. Bicycle organizers in Santa Clara argue that if there are no road closures, and if the riders are obeying the California Vehicle Code that there should be no permit required. The fear, it appears, is that the law would allow the county to add additional considerations and conditions before issuing the permit.
Ouch.
Some bicycle clubs have weekly rides that might exceed 50 riders. Even in SLO, there have been regular weekly rides which have had 30 riders, and the New Years Day ride has exceeded 50 in recent years.
Shows the importance of working with the local community AND insisting that all riders do in fact obey the laws and show respect for local motorists.
