Park police disturbs me

There have been 2 incidents at Stone Mountain park in Atlanta where the police has attempted to slow or stop a 40 rider peloton while in motion by 1. Pulling the squad car broadside in front of the group and 2. Last week, an office stood in front of them with hands out to stop them. The second incident resulted in a nasty tumble for the rides 1 of whom were tended to by park paramedics and transported to a local hospital.

It is beyond me how such tatical maneuvers can be deemed necessary even if the riders were in violation of riding more than 2 abreast after sunset. The presence of fixed structures such as curbs, trees can lead to severe injury or death in the event of a collision. I'm not sure how the peloton exceeding 30 mph represents a danger to the public for the police to employ this tactic.

I have friends who ride with this group and worry that without a formal complaint this can only escalate into 2 things. They can either forbid such groups from riding through the park or worse yet there will be an eventual fatality from this dumb tactic. Is anyone aware of such incidents elsewhere? Is seems this is an extreme measure for a moving violation (if you want to call it that :cool:

How would you suggest that the officials stop 40 riders riding in a pack through a public park after dark at over 30 mph?

Perhaps the answer is for the riders to stop breaking the law.

How about the hazard these guys represent to everyone else on the road, vehicles, pedestrians, even animals?

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Originally Posted by ZenSojourner

How would you suggest that the officials stop 40 riders riding in a pack through a public park after dark at over 30 mph?

Perhaps the answer is for the riders to stop breaking the law.

How about the hazard these guys represent to everyone else on the road, vehicles, pedestrians, even animals?

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Hey Zen- they come through at 6:15PM. It's not dark yet. However, assuming they are riding single file or double file then speed would be the factor and yes, slow down is the correct answer. I still believe that the maneuver is an over reaction and is rarely used by state and local PD unless there is an immediate danger to public. This does not rise to such a level as it is a 5 mile strip with a fairly low presence of vehichles and pedestrians pretty much stick to the designated areas.

Please do not confuse the original Zen with the ZenSojourner.
I offer guidance only, never admonition.

Thank you and I now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.

It's a moving violation... if you're in a car and police want to stop you, then they chase you, turn on the lights, etc... If a police officer has a speedtrap on the side of the road or whatever and steps out into the road to motion you to stop.... you stop and pull over. This isn't something that car drivers complain about.

What are the reasons that the park police are upset at the riders? I'm guessing its for riding after sunset more than 2 abreast since that's what you mentioned?

If it's after sunset, the roads are empty, and I'm in a park... I can't drive 100 mph hour just because noone's there. I can't drive on the wrong side of the road just because noone's there.

Most parks around me close at sunset. Most parks around me also have pretty anal park rangers and police, but... they're doing their jobs and they're enforcing the rules, because quite a few people think they don't apply to them.

You're afraid to complain about these incidents because bikers may lose the priveledge of biking through the park... So... why can't the bikers follow the rules that the park has set on them riding through the park?

Yes, it's unfortunate that some riders got hurt... but you also have to realize that if you're on a bike and you can't stop when there's an obstacle in the road, or you're in a pack of bikes that can't stop when there's an obstacle in the road... be it a police car or a human... Then something's wrong, you're really not biking all that safely on a public road.

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t is beyond me how such tatical maneuvers can be deemed necessary even if the riders were in violation of riding more than 2 abreast after sunset.

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well, there's your answer right there. Perhaps if your group contacted the authorities ahead of time for an event permit or special road closure or what ever it takes to not be in violation of the laws, the cops wouldn't do what they did.

Isn't Stone Mountain technically a private park? They're probably not 'real' cops and they probably don't give a crap.

Now, I do think the two abreast thing is a little silly to get in a huff about as if they're going with traffic, you can have way more than two abreast in a single lane (and the cyclists should be worthy of a full lane if they're going at the speed limit), which would make the group more compact and easier to pass in the left lane.

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easier to pass in the left lane.

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you can't always pass in the left lane. Some roads are blind, or slow or there's too much on coming traffic. Or, maybe you are like my mom, 80 years old and terrified to pass a group of cyclists on a curvy road....

Assuming stone mountain is a theme park, this is what it says on their FAQ:


* Do you have bike trails or somewhere for me to ride my bicycle at the Park?
Bicycles can be ridden along the roadways inside the Park. There is a dedicated bicycle lane on Robert E. Lee Blvd., on the back side of the mountain. Bikers must ride single file and follow all traffic laws.


If it's a theme park, I'm assuming it's private land & roads.

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Originally Posted by Zen

I offer guidance,only, never admonition.

Thank you and I now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.

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You forgot to add wonderfully witty sarcasm!:D

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Originally Posted by uforgot

You forgot to add wonderfully witty sarcasm!:D

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I've seen her admonish a helpful shaggy man in a kilt.

Yep our original Zen has a wicked sense of humour :cool: & plays an accordian

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Originally Posted by Catriona

I've seen her admonish a helpful shaggy man in a kilt.

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He was a hazard in himself.
But that's another story.

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Originally Posted by Zen

He was a hazard in himself.
But that's another story.

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True that.

I'd've kicked him in his kilt if he'd run over my litespeed.

Here you go. http://stonemountainpark.com/faq/

Do you have bike trails or somewhere for me to ride my bicycle at the Park?
Bicycles can be ridden along the roadways inside the Park. There is a dedicated bicycle lane on Robert E. Lee Blvd., on the back side of the mountain. Bikers must ride single file and follow all traffic laws.

I'm guessing that since the park is owned by the State of Georgia, state traffic laws apply and that there is traffic through out the hours of operation.

What time do the Park Gates open? What time do the attractions open? Park Gates are open daily, 6:00 a.m. to Midnight. Attraction hours vary. Visit the Operating Dates & Hours page for attraction hours on the day of your visit.