F.A.Q.

You have several choices:

• You can register online through Saturday, Aug. 8. You will need a credit card or debit card to do this.
• You can print and complete the mail-in registration (PDF). This must be postmarked by Aug. 1.
• You can register at the Providence Bridge Pedal Health and Wellness Expo scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 8, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Oregon Square.
• You can register at any of the following Portland metro area businesses:
  • REI stores: Sunday, Aug. 2, from noon to 4 p.m.
  • River City Bicycles: Wednesday, Aug. 5, from 3 to 7 p.m.
  • New Seasons Markets: Saturday, Aug. 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Weir's Cyclery: Thursday, Aug. 6, 3-7 p.m.
• Also, you can register on the day of Providence Bridge Pedal (except for the 11-Bridge Ride), Sunday, Aug. 9, starting at 6:30 a.m. at SW Pine Street between Naito Parkway and First Avenue. Register for the 11-Bridge Ride near its start line at N. Interstate Avenue and Kerby Street (Red Cross parking lot) between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m. Please note that registration fees are higher on event day.

It’s really pretty simple. Any child age 15 years or younger is welcome to join either the 6-Bridge Ride or the Stride at no charge. There are two rules:

• Each child participating in either the Bridge Pedal or Stride needs to register (online or in person). The registration requires a parent or guardian to sign the “waiver and release” on behalf of the child.
• Adult supervision is required during the event.

Providence Bridge Pedal

• 11-Bridge Ride $35 ($45 on the day of the event)
• 8-Bridge Ride $25 ($35 on the day of the event)
• 6-Bridge Ride $20 ($35 on day of event)
• Teams: Form a team of five or more adults and each member will save $5 off the registration fee. Team registration is not available on the day of the event.
• Children (age 15 and under): Free for the 6-Bridge Ride

Providence Bridge Stride

• Adults: $15 ($20 on the day of the event)
• Seniors (age 60 and older): $10 ($15 on the day of the event)
• Children (age 15 and younger): Free

Yes. When registering online, you will need a credit card or debit card; we accept Visa and MasterCard. You also can use these cards at any of the Providence Bridge Pedal registration sites.

All registration fees are nonrefundable.

No. Teams members neither have to register for the same ride (6, 8 or 11 bridges) nor do they have to ride together.

Younger children are encouraged to participate in the 6-Bridge Ride. Young riders may join the longer rides, but they must pay the normal registration fee for these events.

The Bicycle Transportation Alliance is one of the beneficiaries of Providence Bridge Pedal. Since 1990, the BTA has been promoting and protecting the rights of bicyclists in order to create safe, sane and sustainable communities in Oregon and southwest Washington.

Also, a portion of the proceeds will boost Providence Heart and Vascular Institute’s efforts to save the lives of people suffering cardiac arrest. With the funds, the institute will purchase automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and donate them to selected gathering places in the community, such as stores, schools and libraries. An AED is a portable device used to restore normal heart rhythm to persons in cardiac arrest.

Yes, both riders on a tandem bicycle must register.

Yes, if you do the 11-Bridge Ride. A very popular change last year in the route of our longest ride included biking through downtown Portland on I-405 between the Fremont and Marquam bridges. We will be using the same route.

A current construction project is adding a new bike lane on the Morrison Bridge, so this bridge is not available.

The new design of the Steel Bridge makes it unsafe and impractical for us to use during Providence Bridge Pedal.

Children riding in bike trailers or on bike seats in the 8-Bridge and 11-Bridge Rides do not need to register, but they must wear a bike helmet. Children on tag-along bicycles in the 8-Bridge and 11-Bridge Rides must register and pay the normal registration fee.

There is no charge for children 15 and younger to participate in Providence Bridge Stride, but they do need to be registered.

You can pick up your materials at any of the Providence Bridge Pedal registration sites at the designated times, including the “will call” tables on the day of the event.

Yes, as long as you have their registration receipts.

A list of all registered participants will be on hand at all the registration sites. Check-in does take longer if you don’t have your receipt, so make sure to give yourself extra time.

No. We do not trade or sell registrants’ names or mailing addresses. We recognize that privacy is a concern for many Providence Bridge Pedal participants, and we have a very restrictive policy on the use of our mailing list. The organizers of the Providence Bridge Pedal events are careful not to share mailing information received from registrants.

Yes. Volunteers are needed on Saturday, Aug. 8, to help get everything ready for the ride on Sunday. To learn more or to volunteer, please see the Volunteers page or call the Providence Bridge Pedal Hotline at 503-281-9198.

Yes, The Bite will be held on the same weekend.

Absolutely! Providence Bridge Pedal is designed to give you the chance to view Portland from a different perspective. Stop and take photos and enjoy the views!

Also, swing by the Providence digital photo booth on the Marquam or Fremont Bridge and get a photo taken there at no cost. You can download it from the Providence Web site after the event.

MAX will run as usual on Sunday morning before the event. No extra trains will run. You are permitted to bring your bicycle on board. The MAX schedule is available on the TriMet Web site.

Your finish time will depend on when you start, which ride you choose, how much time you spend looking at the scenery along the way and, of course, your pedaling pace. For the 11-Bridge Ride, plan on 3 to 4 1/2 hours. For the 6-Bridge and the 8-Bridge Rides, plan on 1 1/2 to 3 hours. The first riders usually cross the finish line at about 8:30 a.m. All riders are finished by 1 p.m.

Yes. Our permits require certain bridges to be reopened to motorized traffic at certain times. Because of this, no bicyclists will be permitted to enter the Fremont Bridge after 11:30 a.m. This shouldn’t be an issue unless you are a 6-Bridge rider starting in the final group, in which case you may want to pace yourself.

All metered parking spaces are free on Sundays until 1 p.m., so you can park conveniently on the street. For instance, the Portland State University area generally has on-street parking available. Many attendees find it easier to park on the east side of the river and then walk, bike or ride the MAX over to the starting area. The Burnside, Morrison and Hawthorne bridges allow easy access from the east side to the starting area.

Parking is available near the 11-Bridge start. Please follow the signs and volunteers’ directions to the appropriate lots. It is critically important that you not park in the lot adjacent to the hospital emergency room.

No. For the safety of our participants, dogs are not permitted at the event.

Yes, you can bring little ones in strollers on the Stride only.

Sorry, these are not permitted in Providence Bridge Pedal and Stride.

Bicyclists will not be permitted to ride without a helmet. Providence Bridge Pedal helmets and other low-cost helmets will be available for purchase at the Expo and near the start line.

Rest stops will be available along the route with complimentary water and fruit, plus an adequate number of portable toilets. There will be three rest stops on the 11-Bridge Ride, two on the 8-Bridge route and one on the 6-Bridge Ride route. Also, water and toilets will be available in the start/finish area.

American Medical Response will have personnel stationed along the route to respond to emergencies. If you witness a serious accident or injury and are carrying a cell phone, please call 9-1-1.

A lost-and-found tent will be located at the finish line. Many riding partners have been reunited there in years past. It’s a good idea to communicate with your fellow riders and walkers beforehand about where your designated meeting place will be in case you do get separated.

The following bridges will remain open throughout the morning:

• St. Johns: Both directions
• Fremont: Northbound (lower deck)
• Steel: Both directions
• Burnside: Both directions
• Morrison: Both directions
• Hawthorne: Westbound
• Marquam: Southbound (lower deck)
• Ross Island: Eastbound
• Sellwood: Eastbound

The Broadway Bridge will be completely closed to motor vehicle traffic during the ride. All buses will operate, but some will have detours.