Police and Government Officials Get Serious about Bike Race

In an attempt to improve safety and overall viewing experience at the 27th annual TD Bank Philadelphia International Cycling Championship this Sunday, a press conference is scheduled for Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the Manayunk Development Corporation on Main Street to address a number of issues. 

Councilmen Curtis Jones and William Greenlee, state Rep. Pam DeLissio, D-194, representatives from the Manayunk Development Corporation, the Manayunk Neighborhood Council as well as 5th District Police Captain John Cerrone will be in attendance. 

"Unfortunately in recent years, the race has been marred by alcohol-fuled rowdiness and underage drinking that has jeopardized people's safety and tarnished the race's image as a family-friendly event," a press release from the Manayunk Coalition stated. 

The newly formed coalition, the release continued, intends to implement several measures that will provide a deterrent to rowdy and unlawful behavior, chiefly a stepped-up police presence on race day, to process lawbreakers on the spot, fliers posted throughout the community and police "robo-calls" reminding party-planners of this year's zero-tolerance policy.