Spectators on climbs - ASO Act Now!

[jazzcyclist]

huh? They are pretty rough with the crowd. Police would get sued here in the US if they treated crowds like that. ALso, drivers of official cars are pretty aggressive with crowd control. Just too many people.

I don't know what you're talking about. The Gerdarmerie is much gentler in its treatment of knuckleheads than American policemen. When was the last time a Tour spectator was killed by the Gerdarmerie are even put in the hospital?

 

[Rooboy]

The Gendarmerie at the Tour de France seem to have the same attitude about crowd as the New Orleans Police during Mardi Gras in that they're willing to look the other way at moronic behavior and public intoxication since it's considered part of the charm of the event.

Sorry no - the problem is there are none (or very few) police placed on the course in France. Where there is a police presence things go pretty well.

I've been to the last 5 tours and the lack of police on the course (in key spots) is woeful. On Luz Ardiden this year I was 3.5km from the top. I had the joy of watching them place barriers to the point where we had been camped out. But barriers without police are just a waste of time and resources. Everyone just jumped over them and they might as well have not been there. The only police we saw in 2 days were the ones riding with the riders. Was about 3km from top of Col d'Aubisque - no police anywhere near us.

This year on the Alpe not to have barriers to at least below 5km is a disgrace. I've seen them put them out - it's pretty quick and efficient. As for cost we're looking at one semi trailer/truck and 5 guys/girls plus the barrier rental. It's not super big money and one truck can carry a lot of barriers.

The only time I have ever seen a good police presence in france was on the Mur de Bretagne in 2008 (and it wasn't even a finish).

Compare that to stages I saw in Switzerland (Verbier), Andorra and Monaco in 2009. Enough police but not overbearing. They were friendly and and made an effort to go around and say have a good time but don't be stupid and watch your kids, dogs etc. (ok they didn't do this is Monaco and were quite strict I admit). Never saw an ounce of trouble in these places. They even had the audacity to provide public porta toilets in all these places - a true blessing.

ASO needs to put pressure on the French government for more police support. The amount of tourism revenue brought in by the tour surely justifies this.

 

[180mmCrank]

I think we have seen it like this before. I am not sure there is much new here... big crowds, silly costumes, cheering/jeering, pushing, throwing water ... riders have often taken a swing at spectators who got too close.

Like others above I thought the road was a little clearer that it can be at times ... riders could see the road!

 

[mastersracer]

I don't know what you're talking about. The Gerdarmerie is much gentler in its treatment of knuckleheads than American policemen. When was the last time a Tour spectator was killed by the Gerdarmerie are even put in the hospital?

we're talking about crowd control. I've been to both many Tours and the ToC - police in CA rarely even touch spectators. If they shove or knock down a spectator, chances are someone would sue them...

 

[Apollonius]

I don't know what you're talking about. The Gerdarmerie is much gentler in its treatment of knuckleheads than American policemen. When was the last time a Tour spectator was killed by the Gerdarmerie are even put in the hospital?

2009 - A woman was mown down by a police motorbike and died.

 

[Esroh the Hoss]

Its the Morons that are running backwards while trying to get video of themselves and the riders that are the ones that seemed to be a trip up away from causing havoc
I did like the way TV swung an arm at the Guy who was pushing Taaramae on the Alpe

 

[ozerulz]

2009 - A woman was mown down by a police motorbike and died.

and? look at how many people are killed every year in the Paris to Dakar race.