Help/FAQs

How can I register for Providence Bridge Pedal and Stride?

You have several choices:

• You can register online through Saturday, Aug. 11. You will need a credit card or debit card to do this. (There is no fee for online registration.)
• Print and complete the mail-in registration (PDF). This must be postmarked by Aug. 4.
• You can register at the Providence Bridge Pedal Health and Wellness Expo at the DoubleTree Hotel – Lloyd Center on Saturday, Aug. 11, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• You can register at any of the following Portland metro area businesses:
  • New Seasons Market stores: Saturday, Aug. 11, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • REI stores: Saturday, Aug. 4, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • River City Bicycles: Wednesday, Aug. 8, from 4 to 8 p.m.
  • Weir’s Cyclery: Thursday, Aug. 9, from 3 to 7 p.m.

Also, you can register on the day of Providence Bridge Pedal, Sunday, Aug. 12, starting at 6:30 a.m. Registration will take place on SW Pine Street between Naito Parkway and First Avenue. Please note that registration fees are higher on event day

How much does it cost to register?

Providence Bridge Pedal

• Adults: $25 ($35 on the day of the event). Save $5 per rider by forming a team!)
• Children (age 12 and younger): $10 ($15 on the day of the event)
• Teams: Form a team of five or more adults and each member will save $5 off the registration fee.

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 12 and younger): Free

Can I use a credit card to register?

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

If I’m unable to attend, will my money be refunded?

All registration fees are nonrefundable.

If I form a team, do we all have to ride together?

No, team members don’t have to have the same start time or ride the same route.

Can children participate in all the events?

All three Providence Bridge Pedal rides and the Providence Bridge Stride are open to children. However, younger children are discouraged from doing the 10-bridge, 36-mile ride.

Who benefits from the Providence Bridge Pedal proceeds?

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 heart attacks or other cardiac events. With the funds, the institute will buy 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.

We are planning to ride a tandem bicycle. Do we both need to register for the ride?

Yes, both riders on a tandem bicycle must register.

What about children on bike seats, in Burleys or on tag-along bikes?

The rule is: if they are pedaling, they need to register. So kids on tag-along bikes do need to register. Kids in child seats or in Burley trailers do not.

Do I need to register my baby? I will be pushing her in a stroller on the Stride.

There is no charge for children 12 and younger to participate in Providence Bridge Stride, but they do need to be registered.

If I register online or by mail, where do I get my registration materials?

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

May I pick up registration materials for other riders?

Yes, as long as you have their registration receipts.

What if I lose my registration receipt?

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.

Will my name and address be sold to other mailing lists?

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.

Can I volunteer to help with Bridge Pedal and still do the ride?

Yes. Volunteers are needed on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 10 and 11, 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.

Isn’t The Bite of Oregon going on in Tom McCall Waterfront Park at the same time?

Yes, The Bite is joining in the Providence Bridge Pedal celebration. All Bridge Pedal and Stride participants receive free admission to The Bite festival (a $7.50 value) after the ride or the walk until 2 p.m. A large parking lot for bicycles will be located right next to the Morrison Bridge. Bring a bike lock with you if you plan to stay for the good food and entertainment at The Bite.

What about all the construction on Naito Parkway?

The renovation of Naito Parkway has been completed, so we are returning to our original design of the start and finish areas. For more information, please see the route maps.

Am I allowed to stop at the top of some of the bridges to take photos?

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.

Does MAX run extra trains before the start of Providence Bridge Pedal?

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.

How long does it take, on average, to complete the bicycle course?

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 10-bridge ride, plan on 3 to 4 1/2 hours. For the six- and eight-bridge rides, plan on 1 1/2 to 3 hours. The first riders usually cross the finish line at about 8:30 a.m. Usually, all riders are finished by 1 p.m.

Is there a time limit for finishing the ride?

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 six-bridge rider starting in the final group, in which case you may want to pace yourself.

I'm driving downtown for the event. Where is it best to park on Sunday morning?

All metered parking spaces are free on Sundays in Portland, 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 and Hawthorne bridges allow easy access from the east side to the starting area.

May I bring my dog?

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

May we bring our baby in a jogging stroller on the walk?

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

What about in-line skates and skateboards?

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

I don't have a helmet. Will I really not be allowed to ride?

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.

Will there be places along the way for us to rest?

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 10-bridge route, two on the eight-bridge route and one on the six-bridge route. Water and toilets will also be available in the start/finish area.

How will I receive medical attention if an accident should occur?

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.

How can I find my family members or friends if we get separated during the event?

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.

I need to go to work on Sunday morning. What will be the best way to get across the river?

The following bridges will remain open throughout the morning:

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

The Steel and Burnside bridges will be completely closed to motor vehicle traffic during the event. MAX service will not be affected. All buses will operate, but some will have detours. Detailed bridge closure information is available.