tour da chicago

I've been wondering the same thing. technically, i think it's not the race itself that's illegal, but the actions of the people involved in it usually are.

"cracking down" would have to involve going after the organizers, i guess. but even then, riders race at their own risk, though obviously there is no legal document that supports this. moreover, most races (ie - NOT the tour, which is its own thing) are relatively impromptu, and as i've said already, scattered all over the place. that is, a group of three riders biking really fast could just as easily NOT be a race, and an isolated clot of irresponsible guys. e.g.-- two years ago a guy got pulled over during a race, was asked if he was in "some kind of race," and said "no," even as other riders rode by and yelled/jeered/laughed/etc. The police can't really prove anything.

cutty? hunter? esquires?

Yeah but people know about races, they're not TOTALLY impromptu. If the police cared enough they could probably start getting info online or on bulletin boards at bike shops (and/or pressure shops for aiding & abetting) or via INFORMANTS. Etc. Or just start pleading with/shaming the riders & organizers for putting each other at risk -- I imagine yesterday is going to put a damper on bike events in Chicago for a while.

it happened this morning

i have no idea if the tour will go on, but somehow i suspect it will, for better or for worse. w/r/t cracking down: there's ample information online about most races, it's true. however, i'm still not sure what crime, exactly, a race organizer could be charged with, you know? if you say meet in this public place and let's go ride around the city but please be careful and obey all traffic laws (they usually say this), then you're not really doing much but organizing the equivalent of a public demonstration? IANAL, etc.

HOWEVER: many of the larger races (Monstertrack, for instance) have sponsors. Like, real ones, that contribute prizes and stuff. Not sure what their liability is, if any.

Ach, whatever. I have been a wreck about this all day, despite not even knowing the guy.

holy shit.

Well, I think technically rides of more than like five cyclists are supposed to get permission from the city of New York, but I'm pretty sure that was just to hamstring Critical Mass. Not sure what other effect it could possibly have.

Like you said, what are they gonna do? Pull you over and ask if you're with those other guys? On the other hand the police have been known to do things like purposefully door riders, and I guess if they can stick you with being in violation of the law they might get more leeway.

Monstertrack NYC cancelled supposed. for safety concerns and the inability to monitor skill levels in the now-much-larger community of people taking part. o_O

smart

More time for bike polo.

yeah, i heard that. definitely smart. when ddb and i did it there was over a hundred people. not exactly an underground deal anymore.

the rest of the tour has been cancelled, obviously, and i suspect it won't be resurrected for a year or two. which is for the best.

also stairmaster conflicted with booooooooooooredoms, so at least that's settled :-/

not quite the same, but a friend of mine is organizing this

http://www.tour-de-troit.org/