Ride the Lights returns for 2016!

Blackpool Promenade will be a bike only zone on Tuesday evening for the resorts annual Ride the Lights event.

The popular annual event sees the Promenade fully closed to vehicles for one night only between 7pm and 10pm to allow cyclists to get a sneak preview of the Blackpool Illuminations.

This year for the first time ever, riders will have the opportunity to detour through the Blackpool Pleasure Beach via North Gate.

The free event is attended by thousands of people every year and has become a firm favourite with residents and visitors alike.

As well as getting the chance of a first look at the Illuminations ahead of Switch-On, cyclists are able to enjoy riding on the Promenade without having to worry about cars.

There is also entertainment taking place at the Ride the Lights hub located on the Tower Festival Headlands opposite The Blackpool Tower.

Radio Wave presenters Ged Mills and Hayley Kay will be hosting the main stage of live music and fun.

Bike Doctors CJ Cycles and Get Cycling will be in attendance to help with all your cycling needs and will be located on the hub at Tower Festival Headland. 

The route runs from Starr Gate, South Shore all the way through to Red Bank Road, Bispham with riders able to go in either direction or join the ride at any point on the promenade.

Riders who wish to detour into the Pleasure Beach will be greeted by a live DJ set; Nickelodeon and Blackpool Pleasure Beach characters and will be open from 7pm-10pm for cyclists only. The Pleasure Beach staff have kindly volunteered their time to give people this fantastic new experience.

Riders can cycle as much or as little of the course as they choose.

Cllr Gillian Campbell, Deputy Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “Ride the Lights is always extremely popular and is now a firm fixture on Blackpool’s calendar.

“It will be a great night of cycling, fun and entertainment and I hope everyone will have a fantastic time.

In order to keep safe on your bike, there are a few things to remember:

• All bikes should have safety lights
• Riders are advised to wear cycle helmets
• Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult
• The tramway will be operational throughout the ride so DO NOT cycle on it
• Marshalls and first aiders will be on hand along the route
• Support vehicles will be on hand to assist with bike breakdowns
• The road will be closed from 6pm and will re-open to traffic at 10pm so try to plan your ride to reach your destination by 10pm and be aware of traffic after this time
• Access to the Pleasure Beach is at the North Gate, to cycle North to South only through the Park, with no access for pedestrian’s just cyclists. Please note rides will not be open during this time.

Road closure details are as follows:

From 6pm to 10.30pm

• Promenade Closed between Starr Gate and Pennystone Road
• Pennystone Road Closed Full Length
• Beaufort Avenue Closed between Pennystone Road and Red Bank Road
• Red Bank Road Closed between Beaufort Avenue and the Promenade

The signed diversion routes are:

• Southbound  – Kelso Avenue, Fleetwood Road, Devonshire Road, Whitegate Drive, Waterloo Road, St Annes Road, Squires Gate Lane.
• Northbound – Squires Gate Lane, St Annes Road, Waterloo Road, Whitegate Drive, Devonshire Road, Fleetwood Road.

Last entry for cyclists to the Pleasure Beach will be 9.30pm; please note access will not be available for novelty vehicles.

Ride the Lights is the latest in a series of events designed to light up Blackpool’s summer and autumn.

VisitBlackpool has already organised Blackpool Armed Forces Week and Blackpool Air Show and there’s still a lot to look forward to:
• Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On Weekend – 2-4 September – we mark the start of the resort’s annual Illuminations season with a weekend of spectacular music and performances from artists like The Vamps, Fleur East and Fatman Scoop. Working with Nickelodeon SLIMEFEST, the weekend will feature a free outdoor experience on the Tower Festival Headland throughout the Saturday and Sunday including character appearances and a host of family activities.
• Nickelodeon SLIMEFEST – 3 September – The Nickelodeon SLIMEFEST ticketed shows will take place on Saturday, September 3 in the Empress Ballroom at the Winter Gardens. Two identical shows will feature live performances, games, characters and plenty of slime!
• Blackpool Illuminations – 2 September – 6 November – Britain’s most spectacular light show returns to Blackpool Promenade for another year.
• LightPool – 2 September – 6 November – The £2m LightPool programme returns for a second successive year with brand new 3D projection shows on the Blackpool Tower building and a week-long festival of light taking place throughout the town centre during October half-term.   In addition to this, there will be a contemporary neon exhibition at the Grundy Art Gallery running throughout the festival plus lots more activities planned.
• The World Fireworks Championships Blackpool – 9/16/23/30 September – Blackpool plays host to the best fireworks display teams in the world with the competitors planning more dramatic and spectacular displays than ever before to wow the crowds.

For more information on Ride the Lights go to visitBlackpool.com/ridethelights or call 01253 478222.