The horrifically disorganized and unsafe Rideout caused violence, vandalism and accidents. It could have easily ended in tragedy.

That one day caused more ILL WILL TOWARDS CYCLING than all the good will generated by year-round safe and well-organized events like Bike to School/Work Weeks, Open Streets, AIDS LifeCycle Ride, Slow Streets, and more.

Most of us would love our streets filled with cyclists, pedestrians, electric vehicles and other responsible transportation alternatives.  In fact, many families and cycling advocates participated in the Rideout thinking it was yet another well-planned and organized cycling event for Santa Cruz, only learning during or after what a chaotic, disorganized mess it was.

In fact, the Rideout was primarily a marketing ploy for national brands JT Racing and SE Bikes, both represented locally by Thomas and Kief Laughron, the primary disorganizers and chaos leaders of the Santa Cruz Rideout.

WORKING TOGETHER with the City, County, our local bike shops and cycling advocates like Bike Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship, Ecology Action, Friends of the Rail & Trail and Greenway, we can make next year's Rideout SAFE FOR ALL (or stop it if it won't be).

It is in all of our interests to promote ONLY Safe Cycling in Santa Cruz.