Thousands of cyclists will hit the roads across Greater Victoria Saturday, and drivers should expect delays and road closures as the region’s biggest cycling event rolls through town. The 15th annual Ryder Hesjedal’s Tour de Victoria will bring approximately 2,500 riders to roads stretching from Victoria’s Inner Harbour to Sooke, Langford and the Saanich Peninsula. The event starts and finishes at the B.C. legislature, with the first riders leaving at 7 a.m. and the Capital Bike Kids Ride starting at 2 p.m. Riders receive food and water along the route, as well as mechanical and medical assistance. For motorists, the disruption will last much of the day. Police, traffic-control personnel and course marshals will manage traffic as cyclists move through the region. In many areas, two-way traffic will remain open, but drivers should expect delays at intersections as cyclists pass. Some roads will have one-way restrictions or full closures. The event is expected to affect roads from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Where drivers can expect delays The morning route takes cyclists through Victoria, Esquimalt, View Royal, Colwood, Metchosin, Sooke and Langford. On the West Shore, cyclists will travel along roads including Happy Valley Road, Glen Lake Road, Langford Parkway, Jacklin Road, Goldstream Avenue and Atkins Avenue between roughly 8 and 10 a.m. Restrictions will continue through Saanich and the Peninsula into the afternoon as riders make their way toward Oak Bay and Victoria. Beach Drive and King George Terrace in Oak Bay will be fully closed to through traffic from about 10:20 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Residents will still be able to access their homes when there are breaks in the cycling route. The final stretch through Victoria will see full closures along Crescent Road, Hollywood Crescent, Dallas Road and several James Bay waterfront streets from roughly 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Those streets include Erie, St. Lawrence, Kingston, Montreal, Quebec, Pendray and Belleville streets. Downtown restrictions begin much earlier. Menzies Street between Belleville and Quebec streets will be closed from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. Government Street between Humboldt and Superior streets will be affected from 6 to 9:30 a.m., while sections of Belleville Street will also be closed in stages throughout the day. Parking restrictions will be in effect along portions of the route, with vehicles in restricted areas subject to ticketing or towing. People heading downtown are encouraged to walk, bike or take transit if possible. It’s a ride, not a race Organizers stress that despite the size of the event, the Tour de Victoria is a recreational ride, not a race. The event is open to riders of all ages, abilities and bike types, with multiple distances to choose from. Helmets are mandatory, and cyclists must follow B.C. road rules and give way to emergency vehicles. If an emergency vehicle approaches, riders must stop, dismount and get off the road. A separate kids’ ride for children ages two to 10 begins at 2 p.m. Plan ahead With traffic restrictions moving across Greater Victoria for much of Saturday, drivers are being asked to check the route before leaving home and allow extra time. Residents living along the route will generally retain access to their homes, but they may have to wait for a break in the cyclists. For everyone else, checking the route before leaving home could save a frustrating detour. For riders, the message is simple: Have fun and ride safely.
