A US town prohibited touring bicyclists from pedalling while in town, becoming what is thought by cycling advocates to be the only city in America with such a restriction.

Bicycle advocacy groups are gearing up to challenge the law in Black Hawk, which they say is illegal.

"The danger here is the precedent," Dan Grunig of Bicycle Colorado, an advocacy group, said. "We don't believe it's right or legal and we want to make sure it's addressed before it's spread any further."

Black Hawk began enforcing its ordinance and issuing 68 US dollar tickets on June 5, five months after it passed the law requiring bicyclists to dismount and walk their two-wheelers through the town of about 100 residents.

Black Hawk City Manager Michael Copp said eight citations have been issued so far.

"At this point the council has no intention of repealing the ban," Mr Copp said. "They believe their actions are what's best for it's citizens in Black Hawk, which are casinos and their patrons."

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