You see them on the roads every day in Central Arkansas, but now one mayor wants to do more to protect those on two wheels.

North Little Rock Mayor Patrick Hays wants to enact an ordinance which would protect cyclists from harassment. It lists illegal actions like throwing objects at them, honking your horn or shouting at them, or trying to frighten or disturb them in anyway.

Hays, a cyclist himself, says the city needs this ordinance because of the growing number of cyclists.

However, during Monday night's city council meeting, council members expressed concern about the ordinance. Debi Ross said she had talked to council members in Columbia, Missouri who recently enacted a similar ordinance. She said they experienced a backlash against cyclists and she does not want that to happen in North Little Rock. She said the city should proceed slowly when enacting this type of ordinance.

This law would protect those on two wheels, but not those on two feet. Hays said pedestrians and cyclists fall under different categories when it comes to the state law and do not have to follow the same regulations. Cyclists and motorists must both stop at a stop sign, when pedestrians don't, which Hays cited as an example.

It would be a misdemeanor to harrass a cyclist.

The hearing will take place during the next city council meeting.

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