Bicyclists, Motorists Clash in Ogden; 4 Arrested

OGDEN, Utah (AP) - Four people were arrested in Ogden after a ride to celebrate bicyclists and their rights to the road turned ugly. Some bicyclists riding in a group that included dozens of people became hostile on Friday during a Critical Mass ride, police reports said. The reports said some bicyclists were intoxicated and hostile as they disrupted traffic flow, yelled obscenities and made gestures at motorists.

The problems started when a driver, who stopped for a red light, couldn't move forward when the light turned green because of the bikes, according to the police reports.

The driver honked her horn, cyclists yelled obscenities at her and one person threw a cup of soda that hit the woman in the face, police said. The driver then moved forward, bumping a bike and causing minor damage, before calling police.

Problems with the group continued when two people reportedly halted traffic at an intersection to escort the bicyclists through it.

Law enforcement officials observed the scene and told the two people to leave the intersection. One complied but another allegedly pedaled away and was tackled by an officer, who called for backup after other cyclists surrounded him.

Eventually at least six officers showed up to calm the situation.

"I have never encountered something like this. Usually people are very law abiding, but the crowd was very hostile. Many were intoxicated and smelled of alcohol," Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Chris Turley said. "It was unusual behavior."

But Matt Hasenyager, owner of Skyline Cycle and a participant in Friday's event, said the group obeyed traffic laws and was having fun. The cyclist who was tackled simply didn't know he was supposed to stop.

Four people were arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct, failure to disperse and public intoxication.

"The best we can do now is move this in a positive direction, learn a valuable lesson and move forward, and be better because of it," Hasenyager said.

Critical Mass rides are held across the country to promote bike riding.


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