SAN DIEGO – When one lane on the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge closes, another one opens—for cyclists. On Sunday, August 28, bike lovers of all levels are encouraged to grab their bikes, helmets and friends to join more than 3,500 people for San Diego’s 9th annual Bike the Bay.
Participants in this casual 25-mile ride experience the only opportunity to pedal across the world-renowned bridge for one of the county’s most breathtaking waterfront views, followed by a loop on the newly expanded Bayshore Bikeway. The Bayshore Bikeways remains San Diego’s premiere bike attraction, winding through five San Diego neighborhoods — 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 in what it says should be the premiere bicycling destination nationwide.
“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 choose to begin in the first wave at 7 a.m. or the second wave at 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, which will close to cars in order to accommodate thousands of people on bikes. After crossing the bridge, riders cruise on the completed parts of the Bayshore Bikeway. 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. Post-ride activities include entertainment, food trucks and a New Belgium Brewing Beer Garden to cheers for an unforgettable ride. 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.
For joining the best bike party in the county, participants will receive a commemorative souvenir ensuring high-fives for rides to come. Exclusive Bike the Bay cycling jerseys are available for purchase.
Registration, course maps and other information can be found at www.bikethebay.net. Registration is required and should be done as early as possible as 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, please email [email protected]. For more information on the San Diego Bike Coalition and making San Diego County a better place to ride bikes, please visit www.sdbikecoalition.org.
San Diego Bike Coalition is a nonprofit organization that advocates for and protects the rights of all people who ride bicycles. They promote bicycling as a mainstream, safe and enjoyable form of transportation and recreation. For more information, please visit www.sdbikecoalition.org.
