Rome council approves street closures for Erie Canal bike tour and block party

Bobby O'Brien, speaking for the Rome Waterways and Trails Advocacy Group, urged the Rome Common Council to approve ordinance 9868 to authorize street closures for the Erie Canal bike tour and an associated block party on Thursday, July 16. He said the eight-day, roughly 400-mile event will bring about 500 cyclists through Rome and highlighted partnerships with Parks and Trails New York, the Rome Area Chamber of Commerce, and the city’s police and fire departments.

The council considered O’Brien’s remarks and related documentation — including the timing of proposed street closures and a block party map — before taking up the ordinance. Mrs. Campbell had noted event marketing would appear on Facebook, The Sentinel and other outlets. O’Brien thanked city staff, with a special acknowledgement for Danielle in the community and economic development department, for their role in organizing the welcome event.

Councilor Fazio moved the ordinance and it was seconded; the council took unanimous consent and passed ordinance 9868 to authorize the street closures as described. The approval allows the city to proceed with the block party plan that includes three bands, food and beverage vendors, craft vendors, community-service organizations and coordination with public safety staff.

The measure was presented as a tourism and community-engagement opportunity tied to Rome’s Trail Town designation by Parks and Trails New York in 2023. The council’s action authorizes staff to implement the street-closure plan and related public-safety coordination for the event on July 16.