It's that time of year again. Motorcycle engines will be humming throughout the Austin area as bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts converge on the area for the annual ROT Biker Rally. Activities begins Thursday with live music. On Friday, a motorcycle parade takes place on Congress Avenue from Cesar Chavez Street to 11th Street. There are other attractions throughout the event, such as custom motorcycle contests, flat-track racing and stunt shows.

No refusal and motorcycle collisions

Since May 26, the Austin Police Department has enforced a no-refusal initiative—meaning people suspected of drunken driving could be subject to a search warrant for a blood sample if they refuse a breath or blood sample and the officer has evidence of impairment. No refusal will be in effect through Monday and will be operational 9 p.m.-5 a.m. In 2016, APD arrested 107 people during Memorial Day and ROT Rally no-refusal initiatives, according to the department. Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services every year tracks the number of motorcycle collisions during ROT Rally. Last year, the agency reported 20 incidents throughout the event's duration.
Interactive map courtesy Austin-Travis County EMS

Road closures

The motorcycle parade will take place from 7 to 11 p.m. on Friday, June 9 and affect the following streets:
  • Congress Avenue from Cesar Chavez to 11th streets
  • Second Street from Brazos to Colorado streets
  • Third Street from Brazos to Colorado streets
  • Fourth Street from Brazos to Colorado streets
  • Fifth Street from Brazos to Colorado streets
  • Sixth Street from Brazos to Colorado streets
  • Seventh Street from Brazos to Colorado streets
  • Eighth Street from Brazos to Colorado streets
  • Ninth Street from Brazos to Colorado streets
  • 10th Street from Brazos to Colorado streets
The full road closures will be in effect from 6 to 11:59 p.m. Motorists can take Colorado and Brazos streets for north-south alternative routes or 11th Street and Riverside Drive for east-west alternative routes. Here is an interactive map of the closures:
For more information visit www.rotrally.com.