The operator of a Tucson bicycle motocross track
says he will fight attempts to stop the weekly races he sponsors.
The city planning department has given Stuart
Kleinberg - owner of the Spokesmen Bicycle Shop and sponsor of the track - until Friday to
make operational changes that would prompt his neighbors to drop charges. Otherwise the
complaint will be forwarded to the city prosecutors’ office.
"I’m going to fight it. I don’t
think I’m doing anything wrong," Kleinberg said.
But John J. Kelly, who lives across the street
from the track and filed the complaint claims Kleinberg is operating a commercial business
on land zoned for residential use. The track is at E. 12th St. and S. Campbell Ave.
Dust. noise and litter from the track are a
detrimental to the neighborhood, Kelly complained. As many as 100 riders participate each
Sunday and "its like a carnival," he said.
Kleinberg said he loses money on the track, which
is a club facility for the Bicycle Motocross Association (BMXA) - a group of about 50
riders. Nonaffiliated riders also race at the track, he said. BMX is an abbreviation for
bicycle motocross.
A nonprofit, recreational facility is allowed
under the lot’s zoning classification.
Although an entry fee is charged, it goes towards
covering insurance costs and parts discounts - at the Spokesmen, Bicycle West and Wheels
Unlimited bicycle shops - that are awarded in lieu of trophies to race winners, Kleinberg
said.
He said he has already oiled the tracks parking
lot and Monday, plans to start construction of a $1,000 fence around the 175-yard-long
track. Kleinberg hopes these moves will appease his neighbors.
"Even if he does everything, it still boils
down to a commercial business activity," Kelly said.
Kleinberg said he has run sales ads for the shop
which encourage people to watch the Sunday races. But, "I can't see the relevancy. If
the races are free, how can it be called a commercial enterprise?"
Another track, supported by the Southern Arizona
Sports Association, a nonprofit group, and the City of Tucson is located in Randolph Park.
Rivalry between the two track associations has
prevented them from cosponsoring more than two or three races in the past, however.
Bicycle motocross - at least an organized version
- was virtually unknown before a few scenes in the movie "On Any Sunday" showed
youngsters stunting on bicycles. Since then the sport has mushroomed in Southern
California and Arizona. About 500 riders recently participated in a race in Phoenix.
Other than the absence of engines, bicycle
motocross is quite similar to motorcycle motocross. Rider wear helmets. goggles, gloves,
padded pants and other racing gear as they jump, slide and pedal their trick bikes around
the track.