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TRAFFIC ALERT: Prepare to share road with thousands of bicyclists this weekend

By KIRO 7 News Staff
By KIRO 7 News Staff

Drivers should expect delays across Western Washington this weekend as thousands of bicyclists will be on state highways and local roads.

About 8,000 bicyclists are expected to ride in the annual Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic Saturday and Sunday, which starts in Seattle at 5:30 a.m. Saturday.

The Washington State Department of Transportation said bicycles are considered vehicles under state law, and though they may travel slower than the speed limit, they still have a right to use the road. Read a FAQ about driving safely with bicyclists here.

In turn, bicyclists are also expected to follow Washington's bicyclist rules of the road.

The ride will start from the University of Washington's E-1 Parking Lot along Montlake Boulevard Northeast.

WSDOT said based on previous STP rides, congestion and delays are expected at the following times and locations:

  • Early morning Saturday, July 13, on State Road 7 in Pierce County
  • Midmorning to afternoon Saturday, July 13, on SR 507 in Thurston and Lewis counties
  • Early Sunday, July 14, on SR 411 from Castle Rock to Kelso
  • All day Sunday, July 14, near the SR 432 and SR 433 Lewis and Clark Bridge

The STP route follows state highways and local roads in these areas. See a map of the route at this link.

  • State Route 513 – University of Washington Montlake Boulevard; parking lot to Northeast Pacific Place
  • SR 181 – West Valley Highway in Kent
  • Puyallup area county roads and city streets
  • SR 7 – near Spanaway
  • SR 507 – Roy to Centralia
  • SR 507 and Higgins Greig Road/Fourth Street East – Roy
  • SR 507 and Third Street – Yelm
  • SR 507 and Mosman Avenue – Yelm
  • Centralia and Chehalis city streets
  • County roads - Napavine to Winlock to Vader
  • SR 506 – Vader area
  • West Side Highway (becomes SR 411) – Vader to Castle Rock area
  • SR 411 (also known as West Side Highway)  – Castle Rock to Longview
  • SR 432 – Longview industrial area
  • SR 433 – crossing Lewis and Clark Bridge into Oregon

WSDOT and police will be directing traffic at the following locations:

Saturday, July 13:

  • SR 507 between Roy and Yelm (roving Washington State Patrol trooper)
  • SR 507/Third Street in Yelm (police officers directing traffic)
  • SR 507/Mosman Avenue in Yelm (police officers directing traffic)
  • SR 507/Tenino Trail crossing (police officers or certified flaggers directing traffic)

Sunday, July 14: 

  • SR 411/Castle Rock area (flagger directing traffic at SR 411/PH 10)
  • SR 411 between Castle Rock and Longview (roving WSP trooper)
  • SR 411/Lexington/Riverside County Park area (police officers directing traffic at SR 411 and Riverside County Park)
  • SR 432/SR 433 in Longview at the Lewis and Clark Bridge (WSP, flaggers and motorcycle escort)

According to WSDOT:

Drivers on SR 432 can expect delays of up to 20 minutes from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 14. WSP and flaggers will stop southbound drivers on SR 433 so STP riders can cross the Lewis and Clark Bridge, escorted by Gold Wing motorcycle club members. Riders crossing the bridge Saturday will not have a bridge escort and are expected to ride with traffic.

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