The BriefMcDonald County officials are creating an ordinance to regulate large cycling events after a surprise race with 1,300 participants created safety concernsThe new rules will require event organizers to notify county officials in advance and pay for additional law enforcement coverageCounty leaders want to balance economic opportunities from cycling tourism with public safety needs
PINEVILLE, Mo. — McDonald County officials are working to implement new regulations for large cycling events after a recent race with more than 1,300 participants caught authorities off guard and raised significant safety concerns.
The surprise event, which brought hundreds of cyclists to the county’s winding, hilly roads without prior notification to officials, has prompted county leaders to draft an ordinance requiring advance notice and additional safety measures for future races.
“Obviously, with 1,300 riders on our roads here in the county that are very, the curvy terrain, hilly terrain that created a lot of safety concerns and a lot of issues for our residents of the county,” said Presiding County Commissioner Bryan Hall.
McDonald County eyes cycling event safety ordinance
McDonald County eyes cycling event safety ordinance
The unannounced race not only brought traffic disruptions but also stretched first responders thin across the county. A helicopter flying overhead during the event added to the unexpected nature of the large-scale cycling competition.
County officials recognize the economic potential of cycling tourism, particularly as neighboring northwest Arkansas has seen significant community development from similar events.
“There all this is coming out of northwest Arkansas, and it’s a huge development, a huge boost to that community. So we’d like to maybe get in on some of that,” Hall said.
However, the recent incident highlighted the need for better coordination between event organizers and local authorities. The McDonald County Sheriff and other community leaders are now collaborating with the commission to establish clear guidelines.
The proposed ordinance will require event organizers to inform county officials ahead of large cycling events and mandate that promoters pay overtime costs for law enforcement officers. This funding will allow officers from surrounding communities to assist with traffic control and intersection coverage during races.
“We are a small community. We have limited resources. And to be able to provide, say there’s an emergency out there to get, first responders out there. We have to get them through the road. You know, if we got to back up several miles long, that’s going to create issues. So we want to be able to provide safety for the riders and participants in this race and for our citizens,” Hall explained.
The commissioner emphasized that county officials support cycling activities and recognize their economic benefits, but safety remains the top priority.
“We do also want to try to encourage future development growth. But we are looking at all those and trying to come up with a plan, to make that happen for everybody involved,” Hall said.
With several cycling races and events already scheduled in McDonald County over the next few months, officials are working to implement the ordinance within the coming weeks to ensure proper coordination and safety measures are in place.
The county’s natural beauty and challenging terrain have made it increasingly popular among cycling enthusiasts in recent years, creating both opportunities and challenges for local officials as they balance tourism development with community safety needs.
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