Reservations were expressed yesterday about a proposed urban downhill mountain bike race in Wanaka but the town's community board has approved a road closure so the event can take place.
The race is part of Wanakafest and is believed to be the first downhill mountain bike race in New Zealand where the course goes through a town using pedestrian footpaths.
It will be held on Saturday October 17, starting at the water tanks on Lismore Park and ending outside Relishes Cafe.
The route takes cyclists through Lismore Park, Monley Lane and beside the Lake Wanaka Centre.
Entrants in the race will have to negotiate features of the Lismore Bike Park, steps, a pedestrian crossing, and traffic islands. It also crosses Lismore and Ardmore Sts.
The Wanaka Community Board yesterday approved a road closure on Ardmore St for the race.
Board member Carrick Jones said he was concerned about the route, but chairman Lyal Cocks said those issues had to be taken up with Wanakafest after the meeting.
Event manager Laurel Morrison said, when contacted later, she had talked to Mr Cocks and Mr Jones after the meeting and believed concerns had been laid to rest.
She would consult businesses again and ensure the streets would not be congested.
Cyclists could be coming down the route one at a time and marshalls would stop the race to let any banked-up traffic through.
Because it was the first time such a race had been held, it was not clear how long it would take to complete or how many people would enter.
