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Clifton leaders press organizer to rein in smaller group of unruly riders; consider permit, enforcement options
Summary
Council members urged education and stronger coordination with organizers of the Second Sunday motorcycle rally after residents reported traffic, parking and safety problems; organizer John Esposito pledged to continue outreach, saying most riders behave but a small share cause issues.
Clifton leaders on June 3 pressed the organizer of the town’s Second Sunday motorcycle rally to tighten outreach and manage behavior after residents reported safety and parking problems when large groups pass through the town.
Mayor Tom Peterson said he had met with organizer John Esposito and relayed the council’s concerns about the event’s growth. Esposito told the council he believes about 95% of riders are respectful visitors but acknowledged that roughly 5% coming from out of town create problems by not following traffic rules or parking in ways that block corners and sidewalks.
Councilmembers discussed responses including continued education of the group, asking property owners to control parking on private lots, better pre‑event communications with businesses and the use of the existing noise ordinance if bullhorns or amplified sound are used. Several councilmembers also raised the question of whether the town should study adding event permitting authority to the municipal code, noting the town currently lacks a permit process for private events that spill into public ways.
"We cannot tell people who may park on private property, but if property owners allow it that affects traffic and use permits," CM Steve Effros said in the discussion, pressing for clarity about who calls police when large vehicles block turning movements.
CM Mary Hess urged caution about telling visitors not to come, saying the events also bring revenue for some businesses. Council and staff agreed to continue outreach to the motorcycle organizer and to contact the organizer of a proposed car show so expectations can be set consistently across events.
Esposito, a Clifton resident for nearly 40 years, said he is willing to work with the town and that changes may take time; the council noted temporary steps such as the Baptist Church coning off a parking lot on event nights to reduce spillover. Councilmembers also asked staff to compile a list of consistent engagement practices for groups that want to hold recurring events in town.
Next steps: staff will continue engagement with the motorcycle organizer and other event planners and report back with options for communication, enforcement and whether a permit framework merits further study.
