Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Close to 2,000 cyclists are preparing to take part in the 11th SkyRide in Buffalo on Sunday morning.
The ride will have an expanded footprint this year. In addition to closing the Skyway to traffic, the ride will continue on to the I-190 North between Elm Street and Porter Avenue.
"The Thruway Authority was really easy to work with," Kevin Heffernan of GoBike Buffalo told WBEN.
Road closures Sunday between 6 a.m. and 12 p.m. will include:
- Skyway closed 6 a.m.-to-12 p.m.
- I-190 North from Elm Street to Porter Avenue closed 6 a.m.-to-11 a.m.
- Tifft Street from Ship Canal Parkway to Furhmann Boulevard
- Church Street from Delaware Avenue to the I-190 North on-ramp
- South Elmwood Avenue from Genesee/Eagle to Church Street
- Bingham Street from Charles Street to Church Street
For those participating in the ride, it starts at Terminal B, at the Outer Harbor concert venue.
"We head to Tifft Street, which will be closed to traffic. Then get on the Skyway and take in that incredible view of downtown. Next, we take the 190 North exit and continue riding to Porter Avenue where a band will be playing on the 190. Then turnaround and head south, getting off at Church Street and getting back on the Skyway. We get an even better view of Lake Erie at the top. It ends at Terminal B where we have a post ride party," explained Heffernan.
It's a 12.9 miles ride and begins at 7:45 a.m.
Heffernan said GObike does this on a Sunday morning because it is the lowest traffic volume of the entire week.
People can register online at SkyRideBuffalo.org until 12 p.m. on Friday.
You can also register on Sunday starting at 6:15 a.m. at Terminal B.
"The majority of our riders are over age 50. The Skyway is long, but it is gradual. Some ride regular bikes, others have the pedal assist e-bikes," said Heffernan.
Is the group expecting any pushback for tying up two major roadways on Sunday?
"We've never really had any pushback for the Skyway. And for the 190, traffic is being rerouted at Elm Street through downtown streets to Porter Ave. It's a little inconvenience and should take about five minutes," Heffernan said.
The SkyRide is GObike Buffalo's largest fundraising event of the year.