If the members of the Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation Advisory Board get their way, cyclists will soon be allowed to ride unrestricted on the Pikes Peak Highway.

After listening to the passionate words of several area cycling advocates and a positive report from Pikes Peak Highway Superindendent Jack Glavan, the board overwhelmingly supported opening the highway to cyclists with no date restrictions.

Glavan said he'll meet with his staff and then seek input from the U.S. Forest Service. He said the highway could be open this year, but most likely final approval will come in early 2013. The decision does not require city council approval.

"I see no reason why it shouldn't be open to cyclists," said board member Gary Feffer. "We're not a fat community, we're an active community and to have the highway open is a huge statement about who we are."

Of all the cyclists in the room, none wanted an open Pikes Peak Highway as much as Al Brody who has preached the two-wheeled gospel for years. Brody said the highway can be opened immediately, citing the city's special use permit from the Forest Service which includes language that encourages activities such as cycling.

"It's not a matter of should we allow cyclists on the Pikes Peak Highway," Brody said. "It's ... do we have the right to not allow them on the highway?"

Board member Andy Finn agreed.

"This (opening the highway) is not only a wonderful opportunity for everyone, but also an obligation," he said.

Scott Christopher, the Development and Outreach Coordinator for the Denver-based nonprofit Bicycle Colorado, also spoke in favor of pedaling Pikes Peak.

"We're asking that you allow all bikes and all vehicles to truly make it America's Mountain," he said.

During September's pilot program - a test run of sorts - 1,041 cyclist pedaled on the highway.There were no car/bike confrontations, but safety is a concern. The highway is narrow, with tricky twists and turns, plus heavy auto traffic. There were 170,000 visitors from June through August in 2011, about 75 percent of them from out of state.

Sonny Augustine, a longtime cyclist spoke in favor of opening the highway, but also said that descending can be tricky and that cyclists would be wise to keep their speed in check.

"Coming down, you can get out of control quickly," he said.

But the board was impressed by the cyclists who insisted that riders with the experience and skills to try Pikes Peak are riders who are also responsible. Several indicated that cycling during busy tourism days wouldn't be advisable.

"From what I've heard, I can tell that we have a cycling community that is engaged and responsible," Feffer said.

The thrill of riding to the top of Pikes Peak is something that all cyclist should experience said Randi Hitchcock, of the nonprofit organization UpaDowna.

"I thought I would have a hard time," she said. "It was the longest ride of my life, but I made it to the top. We did it on Sept. 11 and it was very inspiring. And we didn't have a problem with cars. People would drive buy and roll down their windows and encourage us."