They should just drop this. I agree. If I ever have to the opportunity to see the race, I don’t want to stand behind anything.
When I raced regionally, the people/families in lawn chairs, the cycling fans in general lining the road on big hill climbs getting close and telling to you to keep going were a big part of the motivation and experience as a racer.
Hate to see the Tour lose that element. It will just get cold and lose luster.
If you can charge a spectator for doing something stupid, it would make sense to me you could charge a racer for doing something stupid and causing a pile up.