Seattle-Portland bike ride is this weekend. Expect delays on these Pierce County roads
This weekend roughly 6,000 bicyclists will take part in an annual 206-mile bike ride from Seattle to Portland along Washington’s state highways and local roads. That means motorists should expect some company.
As part of the 2024 Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic, congestion and delays are expected early Saturday morning, July 13, on State Route 7 in Pierce County, according to a press release from the Washington State Department of Transportation.
You can find a full map of the route on the Cascade Bicycle Club’s event website.
The Pierce County portion follows West Valley Highway East along State Route 167 near Edgewood to Sumner before snaking through Puyallup along county roads and city streets, including on West Pioneer Avenue and 72nd Street East, heading south on Waller Road East.
From there the route follows Military Road East through Spanaway Park into Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Bikers will ride south to Roy and head to McKenna along State Route 507.
Race organizers, WSDOT and law enforcement will be directing bicyclists, drivers and pedestrian traffic along some portions of the route, including on State Route 507 between Roy and Yelm.
Under Washington law bicycles are considered vehicles, which have a legal right to ride in the roadway even if a bicycle lane is present.
Drivers should yield to oncoming bicyclists and check their blind spots and mirrors. Turning cars are one of the greatest causes of bicyclist fatalities and injuries, according to an FAQ about driving among bicyclists in Washington.
