Portland, OR. It had been almost a year since a major charity event took place in downtown Portland, but on August 8th, nearly 10,000 people hopped on their bikes for the 25th Providence Bridge Pedal. Rick Bauman, the event director, is pleased about pulling off the fundraiser despite the pandemic. In 2020 the ride was canceled and this year, precautions were put in place to keep participants safe. “I am satisfied with the COVID protocols we had in place and have received no reports of infections associated with the event or complaints from participants in that regard,” Bauman reports just under 10,000 registered. It is similar to the numbers in 2019 and 2018. “We did see the rate of registrations slow in mid-July as news of the COVID Delta variant increased,” he explained.
Along with Montreal’s Tour de l’Île, New York’s Five Boro Bike Tour and Chicago’s Bike the Drive, Portland’s Providence Bridge Pedal is one of the largest community bike rides in the world.
Providence Bridge Pedal is the one opportunity each year to enjoy the city’s best views from the car-free upper decks of the Marquam and Fremont bridges.
As is the case every year, there are rides for cyclists of all abilities: longer rides for the more experienced bikers, a family-friendly ride over the downtown bridges, and a free, 3-mile ride for the youngest cyclists.
On the second Sunday of August, each year about thousands of cyclists bike through the car-free streets of Portland. There are attractions along the way, like Portland Takohachi’s high-energy Japanese drummers and other musical acts.
From Providence Bridge Pedal:
Nearly 10,000 participants made the return of Providence Bridge Pedal’s 25th anniversary ride a very special one. Please plan to join us on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022 for Portland’s signature summer event, celebrating Portland, Willamette River bridges, and bicycling.
Registration and all the details about this very special event will available here in March, 2022.
Providence Bridge Pedal is a celebration of bridges and bicycling—a non-competitive, community bike ride over Portland’s Willamette River bridges.
Portland, OR. The number of bridges involved in the Providence Bridge Pedal on August 12th will be limited as a portion of the Springwater Corridor is closed for four months of construction. The routes offered used to include the St. Johns Bridge and the Sellwood Bridge, but this year the longest ride for cycling enthusiasts has been reduced from what was once 36 miles down to 18. Organizers say the heart of the Providence Bridge Pedal remains intact. All cyclists will cross the upper decks of both the Marquam and Fremont bridges, with the exception of Kids Pedal participants. It’s the one opportunity each year to bike or walk on Portland’s car-free streets and bridges.
Here’s a look at the main six-bridge route:
Along with Montreal’s Tour de l’Île, New York’s Five Boro Bike Tour and Chicago’s Bike the Drive, Portland’s Providence Bridge Pedal is one of the largest community bike rides in the world. On the second Sunday of August each year about 18,000 cyclists bike a combined 400,000 miles through the car-free streets of Portland. There are attractions along the way, like Portland Takohachi’s high energy Japanese drummers on the Marquam Bridge.
Portland Takohachi’s high energy traditional Japanese drumming lifts spirits on the Marquam Bridge.
The Burnside Bridge offers a view of the “Portland Oregon” sign.
Bicyclists stop on the top deck of the Fremont bridge to listen to the cellists.
Rick Bauman, who founded the ride in 1996, is pleased with the way it has evolved. In its first year, there were 7,500 riders; recently 18,000 took to the road.
A portion of the Providence Bridge Pedal proceeds supports community programs and initiatives that improve the health of our community.
From Providence Bridge Pedal: REGISTRATION FEE ROLLBACK We want the Providence Bridge Pedal experience to be available to as many people as possible. So we are rolling back the registration fee to 2003 levels. There are no longer age and group rates. Each ride has just one rate for all participants.
The Marquam Express $40.00
Bridge Pedal Main Ride $25.00
Bridge Stride $25.00
Kids Pedal – Child (12 and younger) – Free
Kids Pedal – Adult (13 and older) – Free
RIDE OPTIONS: Marquam Express – Enjoy sunrise and a light breakfast on top of the Marquam Bridge with stunning views of downtown Portland, the Willamette River and the Cascades. Then bike on I-405 to the Fremont Bridge and onto the rest of the Providence Bridge Pedal route. Main Ride – This new configuration crosses six downtown bridges with a thrilling ride on I-405 from the Marquam to the Fremont Bridge. Riders may do multiple loops. Kids Pedal- Even the youngest cyclists can enjoy being part of Providence Bridge Pedal with this three-mile loop crossing the Hawthorne and Steel bridges. Adults are welcome too as long as they are chaperoned by a child under 13 years of age. Although this is a free event, registration is required. Kids Pedal is the one Providence Bridge Pedal event with a registration limit so sign up early. Bridge Stride – The Providence Bridge Stride route for 2018 is five miles long and crosses the Fremont and Steel bridges.
Portland, August 11th, 2013. It’s the third-largest community bike ride in the world with courses ranging from 13 to 36 miles. There are attractions along the way, like Portland Takohachi’s high energy Japanese drummers on the Marquam Bridge. Providence Bridge Pedal riders have the chance to cross of nearly every Willamette River bridge in Portland, many of which are usually off limited to bicyclists and pedestrians.
The Burnside Bridge offered a view of the “Portland Oregon” sign.
Bicyclists stopped on the top deck of the Fremont bridge to listen to the cellists.
Rick Bauman, who founded the ride in 1996, is pleased with the way it has evolved. In its first year, there were 7,500 riders; this year 18,000 took to the road.
A portion of the Providence Bridge Pedal proceeds supports community programs and initiatives that improve the health of our community. This year’s beneficiary is Play Smart Youth Heart Screenings.
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