One lane on the Coronado Bridge will be open for cyclists Sunday, Aug. 28, when 3,500 people are expected for San Diego’s 9th annual Bike the Bay.
Participants in the 25-mile ride have the only opportunity to pedal across the scenic bridge followed by a loop on the newly expanded Bayshore Bikeway.
The the bikeways winds through Coronado, San Diego, National City, Imperial Beach and Chula Vista.
The San Diego County Bike Coalition, host and beneficiary of Bike the Bay, organizes the event to encourage biking as a fun and efficient alternative to automobiles.
“Folks come from around the country to Bike the Bay and experience San Diego’s magnificence on two wheels,” says Executive Director Andy Hanshaw. “Each year, the ride gets increasingly popular, and we continue to see more families and children coming along for the quintessential summer ride.”
The event begins at Embarcadero Marina Park South on Harbor Drive in San Diego with two waves of riders. Participants can start at 7 a.m. or 8 a.m. to pedal with others of similar ability.
Riders journey over the 2.1-mile Coronado Bridge in one lane of the bridge.
Refreshments and bike repair stations will be available along the route.
Riders continue on dedicated bike lanes and bike routes, ending at Embarcadero Marina Park South for a post-ride festival with entertainment, food trucks and a New Belgium Brewing Beer Garden.
Most riders can expect to complete the fairly flat course in two to three hours. Helmets are required and regular rules of the road apply.
Registration, course maps and other information can be found at bikethebay.net. Registration is required; previous years have sold out.
A portion of Bike the Bay proceeds benefit the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, an organization advocating for and protecting the rights of all people who ride bicycles.
For information about this year’s corporate sponsors and sponsorships, email info@bikethebay.net.
