More than 2,200 people signed our petition last year calling for a return of the annual summer bike race through Philadelphia—and it worked.
As reported by Philly Voice on Thursday, the race will return in 2018 after being cancelled in 2017 due to monetary problems. It’ll still be a part of the International Cycling Union Tour men’s and women’s races, but will have a new name: The Independence Classic.
As noted in the story, the Bicycle Coalition’s efforts to bring the race back for 2018 were heard loud and clear. “The PICC is a terrific event that draws tourists and professional cyclists from around the world and millions of dollars of revenue to the city and small businesses in Manayunk,” our petition stated. “Philadelphians love this race because it puts Philadelphia on the map as a world-class city for road cycling and racing and shows off the region’s trail network, the circuit trails and its unparalleled Schuylkill River Trail.”
The race has been around—in one form or another—since 1985, and is known by many as the “Manayunk Bike Race” as it heads through that neighborhood of Philadelphia, and specifically takes cyclists up the challenging “Manyunk Wall” (Levering Street and Lyceum Avenue).
The race is scheduled for June 3, 2018.
We will have more information for you as we get it, including information on our Cadence Youth Cycling athletes participating in the Independence Classic.
For now, though, if you’re interested in keeping up with our efforts to bring back events like this, and make Philadelphia better for cyclists, click here to become a member and click here to sign up for our newsletters.