News Summary
Baltimore is gearing up for the return of the Maryland Cycling Classic on September 6, 2025, which will see significant traffic and parking disruptions due to road closures. Local businesses have voiced concerns about the potential impact on customer traffic, particularly the Maryland SPCA, which will close for the race. The course, a 17.9-mile circuit starting at Harbor Point and finishing at East Pratt Street, will affect transportation throughout the city. Additionally, the event aims to promote women’s participation in cycling while potentially boosting local tourism and the economy.
Baltimore is preparing for significant disruptions as the Maryland Cycling Classic returns on Saturday, September 6, 2025. The cycling event will feature professional cyclists from 30 countries and will be held entirely within the city limits for the first time, starting at Harbor Point Central Plaza and finishing on East Pratt Street along Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. The course is a 17.9-mile circuit, which is expected to cause considerable traffic and parking disruptions throughout the city.
Local businesses in areas like Falls Road in Hampden are expressing concern about the potential impact of the road closures on customer traffic. Business owners have indicated that they feel excluded from the planning process and are frustrated about the short notice regarding the closures. In particular, the Maryland SPCA, which typically operates on busy Saturdays for pet adoptions, has announced it will close for the race day, impacting adoption opportunities.
Road closures will commence on September 4 at 7 p.m. and will last until September 7. On race day, vehicle traffic will be fully restricted on the race circuit starting at 6:30 a.m. and will remain in effect until approximately 6 p.m. Key roads will begin closing around 5:30 a.m., prompting the Baltimore City Department of Transportation to advise residents and visitors to expect widespread road closures and parking restrictions.
The women’s race will kick off at 8:30 a.m. with four laps of the circuit, while the men’s race will begin at 12:30 p.m. and entail six laps. Parking restrictions along the race route will take effect on September 5 at 8 p.m., and vehicles found in violation of these restrictions will be ticketed and relocated. Commercial vehicle restrictions will be enforced from 3 a.m. to 6 p.m. on race day in downtown Baltimore.
While businesses like Cloud 9 Clothing on “The Avenue” are planning to stay open, they anticipate a notable drop in customer traffic due to restricted access to Falls Road, which is a vital route for their clientele. The Maryland SPCA reported that they discovered the road closure details only shortly before the event, complicating their arrangements for animal care during that period.
In light of the upcoming race, owners of local businesses are emphasizing the necessity for more communication and involvement in future event planning to mitigate negative impacts on their operations. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Maryland Cycling Classic has indicated that rolling road closures are essential to ensure the safety of the cyclists during the event.
The Maryland Cycling Classic is recognized as America’s highest level road cycling race and is sanctioned by the UCI. This year, the event includes a dedicated women’s competition featuring 15 female professional teams, which aims to promote female participation in cycling—a cause that has garnered widespread support from the local biking community.
Despite the immediate inconveniences caused by the road closures, officials hope the race will serve as a potential economic booster for local businesses and tourism, as the event has previously attracted crowds of 70,000 to 80,000 spectators. For those attending events at nearby Camden Yards or CFG Arena, it is recommended to use I-395, which will remain open during the race.
Residents and visitors are advised to plan accordingly and seek alternate routes to avoid congestion. The Charm City Circulator will experience delays and reroutes until 8 p.m. on race day, as well as adjustments to the MDOT MTA bus services.
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Additional Resources
- WBAL: JFX Southbound to Close for Maryland Cycling Classic
- Wikipedia: Maryland Cycling Classic
- CBS News: Baltimore Business Owners Frustrated by Traffic Changes
- Google Search: Maryland Cycling Classic
- Fox Baltimore: Road Closures for Maryland Cycling Classic
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cycling
- Baltimore Sun: Women’s Race at Maryland Cycling Classic
- Google News: Maryland Cycling Classic
Author: STAFF HERE BALTIMORE WRITER
BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER The BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBaltimore.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Baltimore, Baltimore County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Baltimore Book Festival, Preakness Stakes, and Artscape. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce and Visit Baltimore, plus leading businesses in shipping and healthcare that power the local economy such as the Port of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Medicine. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Maryland's dynamic landscape.
