DENVER, CO (BRAIN)—More than 100 cyclists gathered on the west steps of the Colorado State Capitol early this week to voice their disapproval of a bike ban in Black Hawk, a small gambling town in the state that’s made headlines for its new ordinance.
Black Hawk, a historic mining town that’s the least populous city in the state, began enforcing the ordinance and fining cyclists $68 for riding through streets.
Bicycle Colorado organized the June 29 rally where state senators Chris Romer and Greg Brophy, outspoken supporters of cycling, pledged their support of bicycling.
“From what we know, this is the only city in the U.S. that has made it impossible to go through their town by bicycle,” said Maggie Thompson, assistant director of Bicycle Colorado.
Thompson said the ordinance came about due to safety concerns for bicyclists in the town of 100 residents that has seen vehicle traffic increase on its narrow roads. Gregory Street in downtown Black Hawk is a popular cycling route and a nationally designated cycling route connecting National Parks, according to the advocacy group, which argues that the ban sets “an ugly precedent for one of America’s best states for bicycling.”
Bicycle Colorado is putting pressure on the Board of Alderman to overturn the ban and plans to attend a July 14 meeting to present signed petitions. It’s also put several ticketed cyclists in touch with law firms that are taking the cases on pro bono and fighting the validity of the law. The first court date is set for mid-August.
—Lynette Carpiet
lcarpiet@bicycleretailer.com
