Cyclists to again fill streets

Downtown merchants support race's shift to Sunday

A three-day national bicycle championship event, which draws thousands of spectators and cyclists, appears headed for a return to Lawrence in May.

This time, steps have been taken to alleviate business owners’ concerns about closing certain downtown streets during part of the National Collegiate Cycling Assn. Championships, which will run the weekend of May 12-14.

“It appears everyone is in agreement that the downtown event should be moved to Sunday,” City Manager Mike Wildgen said.

Last year the downtown race was held on Friday. This time it will be on Sunday morning, a time when most businesses are closed. Those that are open – a few restaurants and coffee shops – are establishments that racers and fans are likely to patronize anyway, said Bob Sanner, director of conventions and sports for the Lawrence Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“We surveyed the downtown area asking for their input on whether they would like the event to be on Friday or Sunday, and the vast majority opted for the Sunday event,” Sanner said. “That’s fine, because we want the downtown to be a willing partner in this.”

The National Collegiate Cycling Assn. Championships look likely to again roll into Lawrence, although the downtown race will move from Friday to Sunday to avoid disruptions to businesses. This year's race is set for May 12-14, pending approval from local officials.

Tonight the Douglas County Commission will consider a request to close the South Lawrence Trafficway on the morning of May 12, a Friday, for the NCCA National Team Time Trial Championships. If commissioners agree, the request will be forwarded to the Kansas Department of Transportation for final approval.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, KDOT, Kansas Highway Patrol and Clinton State Park officials have met to plan for handling the trafficway event.

If approved, five sheriff’s deputies will be assigned to direct traffic and handle crowd control with help from the other agencies. KLM Marketing Solutions, which is working with the NCCA, will reimburse the sheriff’s office for the use of the deputies.

The trafficway, also known as the Kansas Highway 10 bypass, would be closed from 8:30 a.m. to about noon from the Lecompton turnpike interchange to U.S. Highway 59 south of Lawrence.

The Lawrence City Commission still has to approve the closure of certain streets for the downtown event.