7K bicycles take over Seattle roads, freeway, and bridges this weekend
Mar 31, 2016, 7:51 PM | Updated: May 4, 2016, 10:38 pm
On April 2, a total of 7,000 cyclists will take over, or partially take over Seattle roads, a highway, and a freeway. (SDOT)
(SDOT)
Get ready Seattle. Thousands of cyclists will descend on the Emerald City in the largest bike ride ever to roll through town.
The Emerald City Bike Ride is
April 3, primarily between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. A total of 7,000 cyclist have registered and paid to take part — it’s sold out.
“It is our inaugural ride taking place this Sunday,” said Brent Tongco with the Cascade Bicycle Club.
The club is organizing the event which includes two routes: one 21-mile route; and a more family friendly 8-mile route that mostly takes place on the new SR 520 Bridge before it officially opens to vehicle traffic. A total of 6,000 cyclists was the initial limit for the ride, but that was upped to 7,000 to meet demand. That is the ultimate limit, however. Tongco said that the ride can’t handle any more than that due to logistical and capacity limits.
“We have 7,000 registered riders who will be the first to experience the new SR 520 Bridge, which is the world’s longest floating bridge,” Tongco said. “And they will also experience the I-5 express lanes which will be completely closed to vehicle traffic.”
“This is really an unprecedented riding experience,” he said.
The route not only takes over part of I-5, it will also partially take over Lake Washington Boulevard between I-90 and SR 520, as well as the Montlake Bridge into the University District.
