Cyclists who zip along the American River Parkway faster than the 15 mph speed limit may find their free-wheeling ways costing them $50.

Starting as early as this weekend, Sacramento County rangers will be lying in wait – a LiDAR speed gun in one hand, a citation book in the other – to clock, warn and eventually cite cyclists who treat the crowded trail as a racetrack.

“If cyclists want to open it up, they really need to go out on the roadway,” County Regional Parks Chief Ranger Stan Lumsden said. “This is a multiuse trail with pedestrians, dogs, horses, strollers and joggers.”

Cyclists have long been allowed to ride faster than the posted limit, often doing it safely. But as the parkway has gotten crowded, Lumsden said, rangers have noted more speed-related crashes, including some serious head-on collisions.

Lumsden said parkway groups and users complain about unsafe riders, especially clusters of cyclists hitting speeds of 30 mph.

“People say it’s a long time coming,” Lumsden said. He acknowledged the effort will be controversial. “Yeah, but everything we do is.”

The citations will be issued under the county park code. They will not be reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles, and will not affect a cyclist’s driver’s license standing or car insurance, Lumsden said.