City Wants Your Input on Bicycle Race Route

The city of Geneva is seeking your input about a proposed bicycle racing event in July.

The organizers of the 2010 Mill Race Cyclery Bike Race have approached the city about having another race day in Geneva on Saturday July 9. Last year, hundreds of bicyclists and spectators watched professional bike racers do laps on a short course along Third Street in downtown Geneva.

The first of seven races would start at 9 a.m. and build to the pro race at 6 p.m. Racers go around the track 20 to 80 times, depending on the event, at speeds up to 40 mph. Residents pack the sidewalks, lawns and parkways to watch the race.

During the race, vehicle traffic will be restricted and no parking will be allowed on the actual race course but local traffic moves in and out of the area after the bicyclists have safely passed. 

As a result of discussions with affected Geneva businesses after last year's race, the city has asked the race organizers to move the race one block west so that it would lessen the impact on Third Street businesses. Therefore, the proposed 2011 course runs down Fourth Street instead of Third street and would race along Seventh Street rather than Sixth Street this year. (Please see map the map attached to this story.)

City staff will be working with the organizers to improve the race this year through better marketing and signage. If you have any comments  about this proposed race, please e-mail Paul Evans at pevans@geneva.il.us or call him at 630-845-9654.

City staff anticipates the City Council reviewing the application in April.

This article is courtesy of the city of Geneva.