Cyclists Ride the Lights ahead of Blackpool’s big switch-on

Cycling enthusiasts got a double treat as they set off for an evening ride on Blackpool promenade.
BLACKPOOL - BEG
Justin Dee, centre, with sons William, 12, left, and Edward, nine, right.
Families and friends get on their bikes for the annual Ride the Lights event, cyclists could ride up and down the Promenade, a bike-only-zone for one night only, from 6pm until 10pm.BLACKPOOL - BEG
Justin Dee, centre, with sons William, 12, left, and Edward, nine, right.
Families and friends get on their bikes for the annual Ride the Lights event, cyclists could ride up and down the Promenade, a bike-only-zone for one night only, from 6pm until 10pm.
BLACKPOOL - BEG Justin Dee, centre, with sons William, 12, left, and Edward, nine, right. Families and friends get on their bikes for the annual Ride the Lights event, cyclists could ride up and down the Promenade, a bike-only-zone for one night only, from 6pm until 10pm.

Not only did they get the chance to ride on a traffic-free prom, but they were given the first glimpse of this year’s Illuminations.

The Ride the Lights event took place last night between 6pm and 10pm as cyclists from all over the county gathered before the big Switch On party on Friday.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Thousands of people take part every year in what has become the Lights curtain-raiser.

BLACKPOOL - BEG
Justin Dee, centre, with sons William, 12, left, and Edward, nine, right.
Families and friends get on their bikes for the annual Ride the Lights event, cyclists could ride up and down the Promenade, a bike-only-zone for one night only, from 6pm until 10pm.BLACKPOOL - BEG
Justin Dee, centre, with sons William, 12, left, and Edward, nine, right.
Families and friends get on their bikes for the annual Ride the Lights event, cyclists could ride up and down the Promenade, a bike-only-zone for one night only, from 6pm until 10pm.
BLACKPOOL - BEG Justin Dee, centre, with sons William, 12, left, and Edward, nine, right. Families and friends get on their bikes for the annual Ride the Lights event, cyclists could ride up and down the Promenade, a bike-only-zone for one night only, from 6pm until 10pm.

There was live music from Chris Atkinson, Hana Joy, Amy Jo, Distracted and Matt Fitzgerald.

The Ride The Lights route ran from Starr Gate, South Shore, all the way through to Red Bank Road, Bispham.

Coun 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.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The big Switch On night itself kicks off on the Festival Headland at 5pm on Friday with Jedward and Blackpool’s own Little Boots taking to the stage among others.

BLACKPOOL - BEG
Margaret Dickinson and Thomas Sedgwick, right, on their homemade Rickshaw made for the event.
Families and friends get on their bikes for the annual Ride the Lights event, cyclists could ride up and down the Promenade, a bike-only-zone for one night only, from 6pm until 10pm.BLACKPOOL - BEG
Margaret Dickinson and Thomas Sedgwick, right, on their homemade Rickshaw made for the event.
Families and friends get on their bikes for the annual Ride the Lights event, cyclists could ride up and down the Promenade, a bike-only-zone for one night only, from 6pm until 10pm.
BLACKPOOL - BEG Margaret Dickinson and Thomas Sedgwick, right, on their homemade Rickshaw made for the event. Families and friends get on their bikes for the annual Ride the Lights event, cyclists could ride up and down the Promenade, a bike-only-zone for one night only, from 6pm until 10pm.

Shortly after 9pm Hollywood film director Tim Burton will officially throw the switch to start the historic Illuminations for 2015.

The entertainment will continue on Saturday and Sunday.

See the Gazette for coverage of all the excitement.