Originally Posted By: dbd
Originally Posted By: wbtravis
Let's see, the organizers have a history of safety; therefore, the government, in its infinite wisdom, decides to study something that has been proven safe. While doing so shutting down the races with willing participants, who most likely sign personal safety waivers.

Can you say, a waste of money, I know you can.


For those who haven't read or comprehended the originally cited article, the issues include traffic safety:
"Chipman said park officials aren't so concerned about runners and cyclers, who they know arrive prepared to survive the area's heat and rugged terrain.

But as such events have grown in popularity, she said, participants, their support crews and spectators have begun to jam the park's narrow two-lane roads, creating a dangerous traffic hazard."

Other concerns expressed by Chipman are mentioned in another article:
http://www.scpr.org/news/2013/12/23/41144/safety-concerns-put-badwater-and-death-valley-endu/

Just so we understand what people expect from the Park Service, how many traffic related deaths do you suggest the Park Service should wait to record before wasting money on including traffic safety concerns in special event permitting?

Dale B. Dalrymple


Dale, I appreciate that the Park Service has a responsibility to consider the safety of all visitors, but I fail to see why it takes more than one day to come up with a plan to address the issues.

Why does it seem necessary to halt any event?

Events like these are held very frequently in all areas of the world. In my area (the bay area) there is some event that involves either runners or bicyclist every month that includes the support vehicles and many "re-fueling sites". They somehow manage to hold these events without problem. Why not the same in Death Valley? Portable Solar/Electric signs are available to post warnings to motorist. It would be easy to enact rules for the riders/runners to consider motor vehicles during the event (I understand enforcement might be different than enactment). I believe bicyclist understand that in a contest between a bike and a motor vehicle there is only one "winner", and they then nearly always will concede "right of way". As it happens, bicycles enjoy the same "privileges" as the motor vehicles, and it is the motor vehicles that should move to the left when passing bicycles. For the most part the roads in Death Valley are straight and have few visibility limitations, so I really do not see it as asking too much for the motorist to pass on the left, just as they would if they were overtaking another motor vehicle. For those areas that are not straight, with good visibility, impress upon the bicyclists and runners the importance of staying single file, as far to the right side of the road as safety permits (for the bicyclist).

So, back to my original question. Why does it take more than one day to decide on some procedures to address traffic safety concerns?

Last edited by John Sims; 12/26/13 12:53 PM.