Royal Oak's police chief and city manager aren't against biking, even in the curb lane of streets. But they shudder at the idea of racers and recreational cyclists jamming Woodward next June, as is proposed for a new event.
The plan, called the Woodward Gran Fondo, is for bicyclists to race or leisurely ride the 27 miles of Woodward Avenue from Detroit to Pontiac and back without closing the street to traffic. Elite riders would compete for a $10,000 prize, Royal Oak Patch reports.
City Commissioners heard objections Monday night from by Police Chief Corrigan O’Donohue and City Manager Donald Johnson.
"We see this as a very high risk/low reward event,” said Johnson. “We think Royal Oak has little to gain from a successful event and much to lose should an accident occur, which the likelihood of an accident occurring is relatively high and the potential for any bicycle-motor vehicle accident to be deadly is very high.”
Commissioners put off a decision on whether to support the event until after O'Donohue meets with other chiefs next Monday.
"I'm supportive of the event contingent on my police chief supporting it," said Mayor Jim Ellison.
During the event, drivers would be encouraged to go 25 miles per hour and stay out of the right two lanes, editor Judy Davids reports in Patch.. But the official speed limits of 40 to 50 will remain and the lane designation is not legally enforceable, according to O’Donohue.
Gran Fondo is Italian for Big Race.
