Brady, Nutter differ on means of funding Philly bike race

Rep. Bob Brady can’t understand why Philadelphia is spending money on the annual professional bike race when donations covered costs in the past.  The city spent $600,000 on June’s race — and has committed $400,000 for next year’s event. 

Brady said it’s baffling that the city took over financing the Philly Cycling Classic, when he was raising money to keep it running.

“They are taking city money and giving it to out of towners.  When we did it the year before, it isn’t like it wouldn’t happen again,” he said of the 2014 event.  “We had the same organizers ready to go again, we had the same contributors ready to contribute again because they enjoyed it and they liked it.”

Mayor Michael Nutter said it was a judgment call.

“I did make a decision that, for the stability of the race and to improve its operational and financial standing in the country and the world, that we would invest as opposed to allowing the race to degrade or possibly not take place,” Nutter said.

Nutter said the next mayor, who will take office in January, could make a different decision.