DRIVERS on major routes will be taking a backseat to cyclists Saturday as the RBC GranFondo bike race surges through the North Shore.
An estimated 7,000 cyclists will take part in this year's event, gathering first in downtown Vancouver before crossing the Lions Gate Bridge, heading up to Highway 1 and then pedalling 120 kilometres along the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler.
To accommodate the huge number of racers, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will be closing roads along the route.
The Lions Gate Bridge will be shut to northbound traffic from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. Saturday. One southbound lane will stay open, but it will only be accessible from West Vancouver, as westbound Marine Drive will be closed between Capilano Road and Taylor Way. The road is expected to reopen at 10 a.m.
Access to Taylor Way will also be restricted for intermittent periods until approximately 10 a.m. From Taylor Way to Highway 1, westbound traffic will be rerouted via the westbound off-ramp, through the Taylor Way traffic signal and back onto the highway.
Westbound from Taylor Way to Horseshoe Bay, cyclists will have exclusive access to the centre lane, and drivers will use the right lane.
All road closures on the North Shore are expected to end by noon.
