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Commission approves Audaxity bike rest stop at Lakefront Park after traffic, parking questions
Summary
Parks staff told commissioners Audaxity expects roughly 1,000--1,100 riders overall and about 400 across the two longest distances to stop at Lakefront Park; after questions about parking, bike racks and downtown congestion, the commission approved park support and asked staff to coordinate routing and police notification.
Parks staff asked the commission to allow Audaxity, a long-distance charity bike event, to use Lakefront Park as a destination rest stop for its longer routes. Staff said last year's event had about 1,000 to 1,100 riders and that two longest-distance options (55 and 100 miles) would pass Lakefront Park.
Director (S5) told commissioners organizers expect about 400 riders in those two long-distance categories combined, staggered over a few hours and typically stopping at the park for short rest periods (staff estimated most stops would be about 20 minutes or less). Staff said they did not expect formal road closures but would coordinate with police and suggested listing alternate parking locations to riders.
Commissioners raised concerns about congestion on the main downtown street, available parking for spectators and businesses, the need for bike racks and restroom/port-a-potty planning, and the safety of hilly sections on the western route. Staff said they would provide additional routing details and historic attendance-by-hour data to answer those questions.
A motion to approve park support for the Audaxity rest stop passed; staff will continue coordinating with organizers and the police departments and will inform downtown businesses about likely increased foot traffic.
