The streets of Liverpool will be closed to traffic this Sunday 21 August as thousands of people descend on the city in celebration of all things cycling at Sky Ride Liverpool. The 9km route starts at Sefton Park from 10am and Sky Riders can enjoy the traffic-free route until 2pm.
Sky Rides are big, celebratory cycling events which take over a town or city centre so lots of cyclists of all ages and abilities can ride safely together on a traffic-free route. With a real festival atmosphere, they’re a fun day out for families and friends to enjoy, with loads to do both on and off a bike, and completely free.
Sky Ride Liverpool is always very popular so British Cycling and Sky recommend that people register their free place at GoSkyRide.com ahead of the event to take advantage of some special offers and encourage their family and friends to do the same.
Since hosting its first Sky Ride event in 2014, more than 16,500 participants have taken part in the Liverpool event, which along with British Cycling and Sky’s other cycling initiatives has helped to increase the cycling activity of local residents leading to a saving of more than £650,000 in healthcare costs related to inactivity.
Liverpool’s Assistant Mayor and Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Events, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: “We’re delighted Sky Ride is returning to the city for a third year.
“There was a great turnout to the event last year and it was wonderful to see so many cyclists, of all ages and abilities, making the most of car-free roads and really embracing the carnival atmosphere the event offers. It really inspires people to keep up the cycling habit and let’s hope we can encourage even more people to get on their bike in 2016.”
Sky Ride Ambassador Sir Chris Hoy said: “We want more people to enjoy riding a bike in Liverpool – that’s why British Cycling and Sky have teamed up once more to bring you Sky Ride Liverpool. It’s great fun and a great way to get on your bike and we want to make the final year of Sky Ride Liverpool the biggest and best ever.”
David Bourque, British Cycling’s Director of Recreation and Partnerships, said: “We are delighted to once again bring a big traffic-free cycling event to Liverpool in 2016. It doesn’t matter how old you are, how old your bike is, or how fast you ride – at Sky Ride Liverpool it’s all about getting on your bike and having fun.”
In addition to Sky Ride, British Cycling will continue to work with Liverpool City Council to offer lots more cycling opportunities in 2016 with Sky Ride Local, local guided rides; Ride Social, a great way to buddy up and ride with like-minded cyclists; Breeze bike rides for women; and Go-Ride, British Cycling’s development programme for children.
Ian Hunter, Sky’s Head of Cycling said: “We’re thrilled that Sky Ride has returned for 2016 and that so many people across the UK will get the chance to enjoy cycling through their town or city on traffic-free streets. Over two million Brits now cycle regularly as a result of our 8 year partnership with British Cycling and this year will see the millionth Sky Ride participant jump on their bike. Together we want to continue to inspire even more people to get out on their bikes and enjoy the sport.”
Road closures
As a result of Sky Ride there will be some road disruption but diversions will be in place. The following roads will be affected from 6am and 7pm on Sunday 21 August:
Upper Parliament Street (Great George Street to Princes Road),
Princes Road, Princes Avenue,
Princes Gate East,
Windermere Terrace,
Sefton Park inner pathways,
Aigburth Drive (Croxteth Drive to Ullet),
Aigburth Drive (continuation of Lark Lane) from its junction with Linnet Lane to its junction with Aigburth Drive (section of the perimeter road),
Devonshire Road,
Princes Gate West,
Great George Street (Berry Street to Parliament Street)
St James Road,
Blair Street, and Hope Street, (at their respective junctions with Upper Parliament Street),
Upper Parliament Street (from Great George Street to Princes Road)
Selborne Street,
Park Way,
Mulgrave Street
Granby Street (at their respective junctions with Princes Avenue)
Upper Hampton Street,
Upper Stanhope Street, Upper Hill Street,
Upper Warwick Street,
North Hill Street
High Park Street,
Alexandra Terrace (at their respective junctions with Princes Road)
Bentley Road (at its junction with Princes Gate),
Greenheys Road (at its junction with Croxteth Road),
Sefton Park Road from Croxteth Road to Ullet Road,
Sefton Park Road (at its junction with Greenheys Road),
Croxteth Drive (Aigburth Drive to Croxteth Gate),
St James Street (from its junction with Great George Street to its junction with Jamaica Street), Nelson Street (entire length),
Upper Frederick Street (entire length),
Hardy Street (entire length),
Upper Pitt Street (entire length),
P. Albert (entire length), Duncan Street (entire length),
Great George Place (entire length), Grenville Street South (from its junction with Nelson Street to its junction with Cookson Street),
Cookson Street (entire length),
Rafles Street (entire length)
Great Sankey Street (entire length)
