Comments on: De Soto 83rd Street Bicycle Ban To Be Lifted

By: Sam

Sam — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:09:57 +0000

just so you are all clear. The ban was not put in place due to one incident, there were several incidents that lead up to the ban. The final straw was when a group of cyclists were riding down the road and made it impossible for any traffic to pass around it. The ban has been for safety reasons, not because we don’t like cyclists. We are worried about cyclists getting hit or, God forbid, killed on that road. With all the commercial trucks and cars that travel the road it is too dangerous for both cyclists and motorized vehicles to occupy the space. Sean by saying that we are a hick town is only supporting our belief that cyclists are rude and incosiderate. So don’t put down a town that is only looking out for the well being of our children and the defensless. Many of our businesses have reported that the so-called “economical profit” we would receive is non-existent. The businesses have only seen cyclists come in, dirty up the restroom, and fill up with free water. Where is the profit from this? We do not dislike cyclists, we merely don’t want them on that particular stretch of road. We have many cyclists throughout the community and we are very welcome to the cyclists, but 83rd street is a deathtrap for cyclists. We have been fighting for alternate routes that the cyclists may take instead of 83rd. So don’t think we aren’t trying and don’t think that we are hateful of cyclists, because you would be misinformed of the situation. Do not think negatively of the town that is only protecting the safety of both riders and drivers. Just try to make suggestions how to make it better.

By: Randy

Randy — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:50:10 +0000

Can compromise be found on 83rd Street bike ban in De Soto, KS? Unsigned newspaper letter/editorial says “no“.

By: Randy

Randy — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:59:02 +0000

Funny thing about that sign: Bicycles are not, as I understand it, officially classified as “vehicles” in Kansas law (see Kansas Bicycling Statutes #8-1485). So therefore they’re not “non motorized vehicles”, and the text of the sign wouldn’t apply to them. Don’t know if anyone’s tried that approach to get around a ticket, but it might be worth a shot…

By: Ray Craighead

Ray Craighead — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:48:13 +0000

Thanks for the info, Randy. The ban is still in affect as of 8/23. I was unaware of it until an officer yelled something from his car as we met, then I saw the sign.

By: Randy

Randy — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:53:11 +0000

Coverage from the Missouri Bicycle Federation: DeSoto, KS, reconsiders bicycle ban, but no change for now

By: Sean

Sean — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 22:42:39 +0000

The law banning cyclists from 87th street was stupid and typical of the anti-cyclist mindset so prevalent in our society. It always made DeSoto look like a hick town. Yes there are rude cyclists, but in the minds of many motorists the mere existence of a cyclist on the road probably constitutes “rude” behavior (since, you know, it might actually require having to slow down to pass.) Through the years I’ve encountered a lot of rude motorists, people who’ve shouted insults and thought nothing of driving in a manner that could have killed me. Where are the laws banning motorists?