PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

JUNE 13, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact Information: PolicePRUnit@slcgov.com

Media Request Form: https://police.slc.gov/mediarequest/ 

SLCPD Working to Help Ensure Safety of “999 Ride”, Community Help Requested

SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Police Department is highlighting recent enforcement efforts to help keep the “999 Ride” safe for participants and other community members.

As part of its efforts, the Salt Lake City Police Department is asking community members to help ensure this event remains safe and free from criminal behavior.

The “999 Ride” is a forum used by many bicyclists to build unity.

Generally, hundreds of cyclists, including motorized e-bikes and sportbikes, have joined the ride, which is mostly autonomous, to pedal throughout the city, including in downtown, Liberty Park, and other densely populated neighborhoods.

The Salt Lake City Police Department has documented and is working to address criminal activity associated with this event, including public intoxication, criminal mischief, assaults, road blocking and violations of the city’s noise ordinance.

From January 1, 2021 through July 27, 2023, SLC911 received nearly 200 calls for service about the ride, criminal behavior, and concerns from community members.

These impacts are unfair to local businesses and community members who otherwise support this ride.

The actions of some of the participants are negatively impacting community members who are forced to spend their resources and time to clean up and repair property damage.

To help mitigate this and other criminal behavior, the SLCPD Motor Squad conducted an operation during the most recent ride on Thursday June 6, 2024.

The operation resulted in three warnings, nine citations, and one arrest.

Future education and enforcement operations are expected.

The Salt Lake City Police Department wants to take an educational approach regarding the management of this ride. Participants are asked to obey all traffic laws and refrain from engaging in criminal behavior.

As this ride occurs after sunset, participants are reminded about some of the applicable laws and safety reminders:

·         Pocket card for bicyclists

·         Sample of SLC bicycle laws

Community members who see criminal activity occurring or who are impacted by the ride are asked to not engage with participants to avoid any escalation.

Anyone who sees criminal behavior is urged to call 9-1-1 immediately.

###