Drivers will have to be a bit more patient than usual with cyclists this weekend, as the Tour de Victoria kicks off on Saturday, August 18.
The Tour de Victoria is an opportunity for cyclists of all skill levels to take a ride on one of eight routes in and around Greater Victoria.
The day-long event is produced by the Ryders Cycling Society of Canada, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and supporting cycling across the country.
Seeing as over 1,500 cyclists take part each year, some roads in the area will be closed for most of the day. Road signage and police will be in place to guide pedestrians and drivers when necessary.
Road closures on Saturday, August 18:
- 4 a.m. to 6 p.m.—Belleville Street between Government Street and the Coho Ferry Driveway, and Menzies Street from Belleville to Quebec Street
- 6:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.—Government Street between Superior and Humboldt/Wharf. Access is open for the Fairmont Empress
- 10:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.—Belleville Street between Coho Ferry Driveway and Pendray Street. Government Street will reopen after riders have left this area (approximately 8:45 a.m.)
Traffic overview and timing of the route:
Victoria: Between 6:50 am – 7:10 am and 8:20 am – 8:40 am Vehicle traffic permitted in the opposite direction our cyclists will be travelling on Belleville St, Government St, Wharf St, Johnson St & Johnson Bridge
Esquimalt: Between 7:00 am – 7:25 am and 8:30 am – 9:00 am Vehicle traffic permitted in the opposite direction our cyclists will be travelling on Esquimalt Rd, Harbour Rd, Tyee Rd, Skinner St, Craigflower Rd.
View Royal: Between 7:05 am – 7:25 am and 8:40 am – 9:15 am. Vehicle traffic permitted in the opposite direction our cyclists will be travelling on Island Hwy and Old Island Hwy.
Colwood: Between 7:15 am – 8:10 am. Vehicle traffic permitted in the opposite direction our cyclists will be travelling on Ocean Blvd, Lagoon Rd, Metchosin Rd.
Metchosin: Between 7:25 am – 9:30 am. Vehicle traffic permitted in the opposite direction our cyclists will be travelling on Metchosin Rd, Duke Rd, William Head Rd, Lombard Dr, Rocky Point Rd, East Sooke Rd, Kangaroo Rd, Liberty Dr, Lindholm Rd, Happy Valley Rd.
Sooke: Between 7:40 am – 9:05 am. Vehicle traffic permitted in the opposite direction our cyclists will be travelling on Rocky Point Rd, East Sooke Rd, Gillespie Rd.
Langford – Between 7:55 am – 9:55 am. Vehicle traffic permitted in the opposite direction our cyclists will be travelling on Happy Valley Rd, Glen Lake Rd, Langford Pkwy, Jacklin Rd, Goldstream Ave, Atkins Ave.
View Royal: Between 8:10 am – 10:00 am. Vehicle traffic permitted in the opposite direction our cyclists will be travelling on Atkins Ave and Burnside Rd W.
Saanich: 8:15 am – 10:10 am. Vehicle traffic permitted in the opposite direction our cyclists will be travelling on Burnside RdW, Prospect Lake Rd, and Munn Rd.
Highlands: 8:25 am – 11:00 am.
Munn Rd: Vehicle traffic permitted in the opposite direction our cyclists will be travelling on.
Millstream Lake Rd and Ross Durrance Rd (between Munn Rd and Willis Point Rd.): Northbound traffic only. This is THE SAME DIRECTION as our cyclists.
Willis Point Rd: Two-Way Traffic will be permitted on Willis Point Rd controlled by Traffic Control personnel to allow residents from Millstream Rd and Willis Point Rd to exit to Wallace Dr
Saanich: 8:45 am – 11:10 am. Vehicle traffic permitted in the opposite direction our cyclists will be travelling on Wallace Dr. (Two-Way Traffic will be permitted on Willis Point Rd controlled by Traffic Control personnel to allow residents from Millstream Rd and Willis Point Rd to exit to Wallace Dr)
Central Saanich: 8:55 am – 11:25 am. Vehicle traffic permitted in the opposite direction our cyclists will be travelling on Wallace Dr, Garden Gate Dr, Benvenuto Ave, West Saanich Rd, and Old West Saanich Rd. (Two-way traffic will be permitted on West Saanich Rd)
Saanich (West of Bay Pay Hwy #17): 9:05 am – 2:20 pm. Vehicle traffic permitted in the opposite direction our cyclists will be travelling on with two-way traffic allowed on West Saanich Rd when needed. Cyclists travel on Old West Sannich Rd, Spartan Rd, Prospect Lake Rd, Burnside Rd, Charlton Rd, Granville Ave, Hastings St, North Rd, Interurban Rd, Hector Rd, Conway Rd, Quayle Rd, Beaver Lake Rd, West Saanich Rd, Old West Saanich Rd, Oldfield Rd, Doyle Rd, Forest Hill Rd, Elkwood Rd, Brookleigh Rd and Hamsterly Rd.
Saanich: Pat Bay Hwy #17 and Sayward Rd: 9:40 am – 1:20 pm. The intersection will be controlled by Traffic Control Personnel. Traffic will still be able to travel the Pat Bay Highway both northbound and southbound, but please expect some delays. Eastbound traffic on Sayward Rd will be closed on both sides of the Pat Bay Hwy.
Saanich (East of Pat Bay Hwy #17): 9:40 am – 2:15 pm. Vehicle traffic permitted in the opposite direction our cyclists will be travelling on. Cyclists travel on Sayward Ave, Cordova Bay Rd, Ash Rd, Grandview Dr, Ferndale Rd, Gordon Head Rd, Arbutus Rd, Queenswood Dr, Telegraph Bay Rd, Cadboro Bay Rd. Please note that Cadboro Bay Rd, between Sinclair Rd and Beach Drive will allow two-way traffic where needed to relieve traffic build up.
Oak Bay: 9:50 am – 2:50 pm. Full road closure on Beach Drive, and King George Terrace. However, residents of Beach Dr, King George Terrace and roads that can only be accessed by through these roads will still have access to their homes. Traffic Control Personnel will allow residents to access their homes when there are breaks in the cyclists. Access to Royal Victoria Yacht Club, Oak Bay Marina, Oak Bay Beach Hotel and Victoria Golf Club will be controlled by Traffic Control Personnel.
Victoria: 10:05 am – 3:15 pm. Full road closures on Crescent Rd, Hollywood Cres, Dallas Rd and waterfront perimeter of James Bay including Erie St, St Lawrence St, Kingston St, Montreal St, Quebec St, Pendray St, and Belleville St.
Any resident that live on a waterfront road or road that can only be accessed by a waterfront road, will still have access to their homes. Traffic Control Personnel will allow residents to access their homes when there are breaks in the cyclists.
All races will be finished by 4 p.m., and Belleville Street is expected to reopen no later than 6 p.m.
Maps and ride details are available online.
