Discussion: Enforcement of laws and protection of cyclists. Fan with sign causes huge pile-up in Stage 1 of the Tour de France | Cyc...

The best view of the spectator interference starts 54 seconds into this video.

I recently posted a New York Times article to social media: Police Arrest Tour de France Fan Who They Say Caused Crash, A cardboard sign stopped a speeding pack of cyclists on Saturday, sending dozens crashing to the pavement, by Victor Mather (link provided for those who are online subscribers to the NY Times).

One response was curious (from a personal injury attorney, by the way):

Arrested?

Seriously?

For what crime?

This led me to ask the question, was the person responding not familiar with:

• the severity of the incident,
• the importance of the event (an international event, important both as to the world of cycling as well as French tourism),
• the extent of the injuries of many of the riders (some continue to ride with minor injuries, while four had to withdraw due to the severity of their injuries).
• the extent of the property damage (some of these racing bikes cost well over $12,000.00)

Or do some just think cyclists do not deserve to ride without risk/fear of injuries?

My initial reply was not really directed to the commenter, but in general to the offending spectator:

for being an idiot. Remember the French have an entirely different legal system. She put many people in danger and actually caused significant property damage and personal injury.

I would think that our local police would arrest and charge anyone who stepped in front of traffic and caused an accident, especially an accident that resulted in serious personal injury and significant property damage.

Compare this event to local sporting events. Haven't we all seen a spectator get arrested for rushing onto the fields at a sporting event - and those are situations where they simply trespass, no damage or injuries are caused. Would we not expect authorities to detain a person who decided to cross barriers and involve themselves in a parade, thinking specifically of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Maybe I am just being overly sensitive as far too many people seem to fail to recognize that bicycles are classified as vehicles under Florida Law and have the same rights to use the roads as motor vehicles.  See Florida Statutes 316.2065 Bicycle regulations.

What happened Stage one, day one of the 2021 Tour de France: As documented in the video above, a spectator had leaned into the path of professional rider Tony Martin, knocking him off his bike in the path of the following petaton. This lead to dozens of others competitors striking each other in a horrendous crash. Some, including German rider Jasha Sutterlin, were forced to abandon the race. The forced withdraw will impact his ranking and career. It is a serious matter.

Future impact: Note that it is tradition for fans to gather on the sides of roads and in villages as riders pass by. But the woman in question leaned into the path of cyclists with her sign that read “Allez Opi-Omi,” a mix of French and German-language terms of endearment for grandparents — “Go Grandpa-Grandma.” The behavior in this instance puts the enjoyment of this race, the closeness, at risk for those who do follow both the rules as well as what should be common sense.

Safety is important. The cyclists of the Tour de France expressed their dissatisfaction with the conditions of the race on Tuesday (Stage 4 of the race), by pausing for one minute, just after the start of this stage. Anyone who likes to enjoy outdoor events should be outraged by this selfish and reckless behavior. This is far from a case of what could happen. It did happen in this case.