An estimated 12,000 RAGBRAI riders will be in Iowa City Friday, July 27, for an overnight stop. The University of Iowa community is asked to help safely welcome riders and visitors to our campus from across the country and around the world.
Please be cautious while commuting to and from work on Friday, July 27, as cyclists and support vehicles make their way into Iowa City and through the downtown area. Support vehicles will begin arriving as early as 5 a.m., and riders may begin arriving as early at 8 a.m., with the majority arriving between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Cyclists will be visiting all parts of the city and University of Iowa campus, so please drive cautiously, especially in the downtown and east campus areas. Expect delays due to street closures and heavy cyclist and pedestrian traffic. Take alternate routes when possible, but be aware that using alternate routes also will take more time.
Drivers are asked to avoid the RAGBRAI route. Some streets will be closed all day, and others will close intermittently throughout the day. Entering and crossing streets along the route will be difficult for motor vehicles due to heavy bicycle and pedestrian traffic.
The RAGBRAI route into Iowa City
- South Sand Road/Gilbert Street
- South Gilbert Street north to Market Street
- Market Street west to Madison Street
- Madison Street south to Iowa Avenue
- Iowa Avenue west to Riverside Drive
- Riverside Drive north to Park Road and the main entrance to campgrounds in City Park
The route out of Iowa City on Saturday, July 28, will be nearly identical. However, because Market Street is one-way only, riders will leave town using Jefferson Street instead.
Safety tips for motorists
Give bicyclists room. Do not pass too closely. Allow at least 3 feet, or move into an adjacent lane. Keep your mirrors in mind.
Be patient. Wait to pass bicyclists until you are able to do so safely.
Reduce speed when passing. Even if there is a bike lane, an opening car door or crack in the road may cause a bicyclist to swerve unexpectedly.
Check blind spots. Make sure to check your blind spots before making turns and before opening your vehicle’s doors when parked on the street.
In addition, several large charter groups will be hosting thousands of cyclists in the Mercer Park area on the east side of Iowa City. Cyclists will use Highland, Lower Muscatine, Mall Drive, and First Avenue to access the camp space. Drivers are advised to avoid these areas.
Traffic Friday morning will be heavy on Interstate 80 and south on Dubuque Street (Exit 244) to City Park due to RAGBRAI support vehicles entering the city. Additionally, Park Road Bridge will be open only to vehicles displaying an official RAGBRAI support vehicle permit.
RAGBRAI support vehicles will park in UI lots around Hancher Auditorium, lots 28, 41, and 55.
UI permit holders for those lots received information about temporary parking arrangements for Friday, July 27.
Street closures beginning at 6 a.m. Thursday, July 26
- Iowa Avenue between Clinton and Dubuque streets
- Clinton Street between Jefferson and Washington streets
Street closures beginning at 3 a.m. Friday, July 27
- Clinton Street from Bloomington to Burlington streets
- Dubuque Street from Jefferson to Washington streets
- Linn Street from Iowa Avenue to College Street
- Iowa Avenue from Gilbert to Clinton streets
- Washington Street from Gilbert to Clinton streets
- 300 block of East College Street will be accessible only from Linn Street
RAGBRAI route street closures Friday, July 27, through noon Saturday, July 28
- Gilbert Street from Highway 6 to Burlington Street (expect closures due to heavy bicycle traffic)
- Gilbert Street from Burlington to Market streets (closed)
- Gilbert Street from Jefferson Street to Highway 6 (closed Saturday to southbound traffic only)
- 300 block of East Market Street between Gilbert and Linn streets (closed)
- Riverside Drive from Highway 6 to River Street (closed to northbound traffic)
- Iowa Avenue westbound will be reduced to one lane for motor vehicles between Madison Street and Riverside Drive
RAGBRAI street closures affecting UI parking and commuting on Friday, July 27
North Ramp (lot 20) and lots 8 and 18
Enter via Madison Street (from Burlington Street or Iowa Avenue) only. Market Street will be open to traffic but is directly on the RAGBRAI route and should be avoided if possible. An officer will be present to control traffic as exiting vehicles will cross the RAGBRAI route. Expect delays and be aware of cyclists.
IMU Ramp
Enter via Madison Street (from Burlington Street or Iowa Avenue) only. Market Street will be open to traffic but is directly on the RAGBRAI route and should be avoided if possible. Exit southbound on Madison Street as normal. Expect delays and be aware of cyclists. The best option will be to proceed to Burlington Street.
Pappajohn Ramp (Lot 21) and Lot 9
Clinton Street southbound will be closed from Bloomington to Burlington streets. Enter from Jefferson Street (to Clinton Street). Exit southbound on Clinton Street and turn left on Jefferson Street. Be prepared to cross the RAGBRAI route at Market Street or Gilbert Street. Expect delays and be aware of cyclists.
Studio Arts/ABW/College of Public Health Lot (lot 42) and lot 15, lot 38, and Theatre Building meters
Enter from Rocky Shore Drive or Woolf Avenue/River Street. Northbound Riverside Drive will be closed from Highway 6 to River Street. The southbound lane of Riverside Drive will be open to Highway 6
Downtown ramps
All will be open, but access to the Tower Place and Chauncey Swan ramps will be limited due to RAGBRAI volunteer parking, Rummage in the Ramp, and the Iowa City Farmers Market.
Other affected areas
Sand Road/Gilbert Street will be open but will be directly on the RAGBRAI route and should be avoided if possible. Traffic control will be located at the following intersections: McCollister Boulevard, Highway 6, Kirkwood Avenue, and Burlington Street. Northbound traffic may be restricted. Prepare for delays.
For additional information, please see the Iowa City RAGBRAI website.