FERGUSON, Mo. (AP) - An annual fall bicycle ride in Ferguson has been cancelled in response to the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown and subsequent protests.
The Ferguson Twilight Ramble was scheduled for Sunday afternoon, but organizers canceled it late last week.
An email from event organizer Gerry Noll cites the lack of availability of Ferguson police officers to accompany riders and monitor street closings. The Ferguson Bicycle Shop owner adds that the Ferguson department "has been stressed and stretched thin recently and we don't want to add to their workload."
The family-friendly event was to have included group bike rides, repair clinics and free food and beer tastings.
For Halloween, Ferguson community leaders concerned about public safety organized a daytime event as a trick-or-treating alternative.