Haleakala National Park Issues Safety Stand-Down to Commercially guided Bike Tours
After the third fatality this year Haleakala National Park has suspended all commercially guided downhill bicycle tours effective Wednesday October 10, 2007. This Safety Stand Down affects the seven commercial companies holding permits to operate within the park. The Safety Stand-Down is scheduled for a minimum of 60 days. Individuals bicycling in the park are not affected.
With three fatalities and several serious accidents within a year, it is important to stop and critically analyze this commercial activity in the park,” said park Superintendent Parris.
Last Wednesday, September 26, 2007, a 65 - year old woman was killed on a commercial guided downhill tour when she lost control of her bicycle while traveling downhill from the 10,000 foot summit. She crossed the double yellow line on a downhill curve and was struck by an up-bound van operated by another commercial downhill bicycle operator. The park closed the road for over two hours. This marked the third fatality within a year involving guided commercial downhill bicycle tours.
Haleakala National Park’s press release is here.
