Thousands gear up as Sky Ride returns to Leeds
The event takes place this Sunday (17th July). Find out which roads face closures.
The streets of Leeds will be closed to traffic this Sunday as thousands of people descend on the city in celebration of all things cycling.
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 and in 2016 Sky Ride will be celebrating its one-millionth Sky Rider across all events in the series.
Since hosting its first Sky Ride event in 2013, over 24,000 participants have taken part in the Leeds 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 £1m in healthcare costs related to inactivity.
Road closures
- The Headrow (eastbound) - Oxford Place to Albion Street - 4.00am – 6.00pm - The Headrow (westbound) - Park Row to Calverley Street - 5:00am – 6:00pm - Albion Street - The Headrow to Merrion Street - 5:00am – 6:00pm - Merrion Street - Albion Street to Wade Lane - 8:30am – 5:00pm - Wade Lane - Merrion Street to Lovell Park Road - 7:00am – 5:00pm - Merrion Way - Wade Lane to Tower House Street - 7:00am – 5:00pm - Tower House Street - The whole - 8:30am – 5:00pm - Jacob Street - The whole - 8:30am – 5:00pm - Elmwood Close - The whole - 7:00am – 5:00pm - Lovell Park Road - Wade Lane to Oatland Lane - 7:00am – 5:00pm - Oatland Lane - Lovell Park Road to Servia Hill - 7:00am – 5:00pm - Servia Hill - Oatland Lane to St Marks Road - 7:00am – 5:00pm - St Marks Road - Servia Hill To Raglan Road - 7:00am – 5:00pm - Cathcart Street - The whole - 7:00am – 5:00pm - Rampart Road - Cathcart Street to Woodhouse Lane - 7:00am – 5:00pm - Clarendon Road - Moorland Road to Woodhouse Lane - 7:00am – 5:00pm - Willow Terrace Road - The whole - 6:45am – 5:00pm - Calverley Street (southbound) - Willow Terrace Road to Portland Street - 7:30am – 5:00pm - Cookridge Street - The Headrow to Great George Street - 5:00am – 6:00pm - Great George Street - Calverley Street to Cookridge Street - 6:45am – 5:00pm
Councillor James Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive member with responsibility for sport, said: “Sky Ride is a fantastic event for people of all ages to get on their bike and experience the joy of cycling. This is the fourth year that it will be coming to Leeds and it is great to see people of all abilities build confidence on their bikes in a fun and safe city centre route, whilst having the chance to take in some of Leeds most iconic city centre buildings.
“Having hosted the Tour de France le Grand Départ in 2014 and featured in events such Tour de Yorkshire, and Sky Ride, Leeds is well and truly on the global cycling map. We are looking forward to moving forward with one of the key elements of our future cycling strategy, which will aim to provide more opportunities for people to get involved and enjoy the sport.”