PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — It’s the third year for the Philly Bike Ride and 6,000 bicyclists of all ages are expected to enjoy a ride through the streets of Philadelphia on Saturday without any cars on the roads.
Those taking part can choose between two courses, one making up the whole 20-mile course, or a shorter one that’s just 7.6 miles in length.
The course, which stretches from Eakins Oval to Delaware Avenue and then to South Philly and back to Center City and up the Schuylkill River Trail will bring many road closures on Saturday morning, said Danielle Berman Ruiz with Philly Bike Ride.
“If you are driving around the downtown area that morning, I would definitely avoid the Eakins Oval area, Kelly Drive and Center City,” she said. “Certain streets will be closed starting at 5 a.m. The ride goes until about 11:30 a.m. and our festival goes until 12:30.”
She and other organizers have stressed that the ride is not a race, but a chance to take in the many scenes of the city.
“You’re riding without cars and it’s not a time to race, so you can take your time,” said Berman Ruiz. “You can really stop and take pictures along the route and enjoy the snacks and the food.”
There is a fee to participate, but it’s free for children ages 3 to 7. More information and the course map can be found on PhillyBikeRide.com.
Street Closures
The following streets will be closed to vehicular traffic starting at 3:30 a.m. Saturday and will reopen by 2 p.m.:
- Eakins Oval in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Benjamin Franklin Parkway between Eakins Oval and 20th Street
- Kelly Drive between Spring Garden Street and 25th Street
- Spring Garden Street off-ramp exit at Eakins Oval
These streets will be closed to vehicles from 6 a.m. Saturday to noon:
- Benjamin Franklin Parkway between 20th Street and 15th Street
- Arch Street between Benjamin Franklin Parkway and 15th Street
- N. 15th Street between Arch Street and Penn Square
- Market Street between Penn Square and 5th Street
- Penn Square between Market Street and 15th Street
- 5th Street between Market Street and Race Street
- Race Street between 5th Street and N. Christopher Columbus Boulevard
- Christopher Columbus Boulevard between Race Street and Christian Street
- Christian Street between N. Christopher Columbus Boulevard and 22nd Street
- 22nd Street between Christian Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
- Kelly Drive between 25th Street and Falls Bridge
- Falls Bridge between Kelly Drive and MLK Drive
- MLK Drive between Falls Bridge and Black Road
There will also be parking restrictions from midnight to 1 p.m. Saturday. Impacted areas will have “Temporary No Parking” signs posted. Vehicles parked in these locations during posted hours will be relocated. If your car was relocated, call the police district of the area you parked in. Be sure to pay attention to the signs.
SEPTA bus routes along the course will be detoured starting at 6 a.m. Specific changes can be found on Septa.org.