BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Sunday marks the return of the annual SkyRide in Buffalo.
The 20-mile ride will take area bicyclists from LaSalle Park to Buffalo's Skyway, only to loop around to Route 33, then on the 198, and finish again at the park. The expressways will be closed to regular traffic from 6 a.m. to noon on Sunday. Because of the Skyway's redecking project, only one side of the Skyway will be traveled on this year. Bicyclists will get off at Ohio Street en route to the 33.
In addition to the annual ride, Sunday's SkyRide comes at a unique time because of the current design competition for the Skyway. Designers have until June 28 to get the first design of the Skyway while the winner of the $100,000 competition will be announced on September 9. Booth said they'll solicit input from riders on the Skyway's future.
"What better way to get those creative juices flowing and have some ideas about what the Skyway could be by experiencing in a way that you never have before," Booth said.
Booth said input he's heard over the years is that the Skyway should remain there but be used for pedestrians and bicyclists year-round.
"I don't think any of our expressways are going away any time soon," Booth said. "Study after study and plan after plan...talk about removing their expressways. These conversations are going to continue to be had in Buffalo and I think it's incumbent on us as a community to have these conversations."
For those who are unable to the 20-mile route, there is also a separate, eight-mile, loop from LaSalle to the Skyway and back. The other route avoids the Skyway entirely and gives people a downtown route that includes the 33 and 198.
"We want to give more people the opportunity to do this ride," Booth said.
GOBike worked with Buffalo Police and Independent Health to give students at Buffalo Public Schools the ability to ride for free on Sunday.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown told WBEN he won't ride in Sunday's SkyRide and has previously said the Skyway is "scary" (though, he said that in the context of the snow in the winter). Booth said they pitched the SkyRide to the mayor on Wednesday and gave a brand new route just for him that avoids the Skyway.
"He laughed," Booth said. "He's been a great supporter of our organization. Unfortunately, he has another commitment out of town this weekend."
All ages are welcome. Children under the age of ten will need to be accompanied by their parents.
Online registration is closed though you can register in person from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday or by 8 a.m. Sunday. Registration is $40 ahead of time and $50 on site. A free code was given to Buffalo Public Schools students and families.
Read more about the SkyRide here https://www.skyridebuffalo.org/