Bicyclists Can Resume Highway Road Racing

Bicyclists can resume road racing in Eastern Washington after being banned recently from state highways when safety concerns arose.

Races sanctioned by the United States Cycling Federation may be held on state highways, contingent on the approval of traffic control procedures, state transportation officials said.

Organizers of races held on city and county roads must work with local jurisdictions to make arrangements.

Road racing was stopped in July after 13-year-old Cooper Jones of Spokane died from injuries he sustained June 24. He was run over by a Cadillac during a Baddlands Cycling Club time trial on state Highway 904 near Cheney.

Upset with the regional ban, Eastern Washington cycling clubs began meeting with the state transportation department and the Washington State Patrol to resolve concerns.

The clubs are now involved in writing an addition to the Washington Administrative Code that maps out future procedures for road racing in the state.

, DataTimes