PORTLAND, Oregon — The 28th annual Providence Bridge Pedal was a total success, attracting nearly 10,000 people to participate this year.
“This just makes me feel proud," said Bridge Pedal participant Brian Colleen. "That we can maybe — after we’ve heard all the bad things about this town — we can maybe take it back a little bit. And this will do it!”
According to event organizers, along with Montreal’s Tour de l'Île, New York’s Five Boro Bike Tour and Chicago’s Bike the Drive — Portland’s Providence Bridge Pedal is one of the largest community bike. And over the last 27 years, more than 300,000 people have participated in Providence Bridge Pedal and Bridge Stride. Cycling more than seven million miles and walking more than 100,000 miles.
"I mean, look at all the families having a good time here — it's lovely," said Colleen. "And the weather is perfect! You couldn't have asked for a better or more beautiful thing to do."
The Providence Bridge Petal closed down seven Portland bridges — like the Morrison, Sellwood, Ross Island, Steel and Hawthorne. Including the upper decks of the Marquam and Fremont — for a thrilling ride on car-free streets — all the way through Downtown Portland.
And it was a first for many families, including the Terry family from Southwest Washington.
"We didn't know we would have this much fun," said the Terry family. "We were concerned about the hills and challenged ourselves — we all challenged ourselves — we got up there and got cookies at the top of the bridge!"
But that wasn't all, participants were also given ice cream and popsicles at the finish line alongside gold medals for the little ones.
According to the organization, a portion of each registration fee supports the Providence Community Teaching Kitchen at Providence Milwaukie Hospital. The Providence Community Teaching Kitchen aims to create healthier communities with its transformative food and nutrition education program. The kitchen targets a population that is often low-income, medically underserved and/or significantly affected by chronic disease.
All bridges were opened back up around noon on Sunday.