I've been wanting to go to CicLAvia for years and finally went to Leimert Park meets Expo Park. It was an easy Metro ride to Leimert Park, and then a very enjoyable stroll to Expo Park, taking in the sights, sounds and community along the way. If you've never been to CicLAvia, it's a non-profit that organizes car-free routes in neighborhoods that open the streets to bikes, pedestrians, and other non-motorized mobility. There's food, music, activities and more. It's a great way to get your steps in and get to know the myriad neighborhoods of LA. I had a great time and can't recommend it enough!! read more

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We were heading to the DTLA Mole Fest and happened to stumble upon CicLAvia, stretching from Little Tokyo to Chinatown. What a fun surprise! We enjoyed exploring the streets, checking out all the cool rides, and soaking up the excitement of people cycling through downtown LA. It's such a great way to experience the city from a different perspective. We even hopped on one of the cycle shuttles from Little Tokyo back to Chinatown, which was a blast! What a fun event and a great way to bring the community together. read more

CicLAvia - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Los Angeles, California

What a fun way to explore downtown LA without a car! It was great seeing so many fellow cyclists out enjoying the city while doing something good for the environment. A refreshing way to experience LA's streets, connect with the community, and go car-free for a day. Looking forward to the next one! read more

CicLaVia puts on about 8 events a year focused on riding your bike thought parts of the city (walking/running/roller skating is also allowed) The events are in different sections of LA with traffic blocked off from automobiles so bike riders have full range of the streets. A lot of the events are run with the assistance from the Los Angeles Metro, those event have meet up hubs at the local metro transit stations so it makes it easier to get to a location that might be further away from where you are. For the recent Heart of LA event that was in downtown I took the Metro Red Line (or A line as it's now called) in North Hollywood to Union Station then got over to the Gold Line hub over in Chinatown without having to city in freeway traffic. CicLaVia regular has updates for their events on Facebook, instagram, and twitter. read more

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It's been awhile since I last participated in one of these closed-to- vehicles community events that span for some miles. Most people are on their bikes but on foot, skates, and skateboards are allowed too, just no use of the motors on your bikes. City bikes can be rented. There's music and food trucks at the different hubs and water dispensers. It's really nice being able to explore the neighborhoods. This time around, Culver City to Venice Beach sounded fun and I was able to catch it for the last few hours. I extended my ride on the beach bike path to Santa Monica. Streets start opening up to traffic at 4pm. Interesting useless fact: there were 2 Erehwons along this route. I don't shop there but just had to try a smoothie. So many eateries I wanted to try. Thanks to the businesses that operated beyond their normal hours to sell refreshments to bikers and walkers along the way. Freebies collected: stickers from Hollywood Bowl, LAist, and Sierra Club. You usually can find giveaways at the booths that are out there or you can buy an official CicLAvia shirt. read more

These events exemplify everything I love about LA and Southern California! Where else can you spend a day exploring different parts of the city together with people literally from every walk of life, diverse ethnicities, age groups, and interests? Everyone smiling and enjoying time together. It's simply the best. And... it's free!!! read more

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A hit! The most fun you'll have on a city street in LA! CicLAvia temporarily closes streets to all car traffic and opens them to Yelpers (and other Los Angelenos) to use as a public park. There are seven or eight events every year; I finally got a chance to experience their most recent event: they closed Melrose from Vermont to Fairfax! A total four-lane party to "bike, walk, skate and roll" without a car in sight. Tons of booths, bikes to rent, music, volunteers everywhere and all kinds of freebies (of the lip balm variety). Check their website for upcoming events, and leave your Lambo in the garage: https://www.ciclavia.org/about read more

CicLAvia - Beep beep no cars - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Helloooo. I don't know where iv'e been in the new year already. I had alot of very chill mellow fun on the 1st Ciclavia of '25 . This is the Jefferson from La Brea to Vermont, USC. We got going late, after 12-1 ish. There was plenty of room for everyone. I was most impressed by a band on a bike. There was 2 folx playing guitar on a converted 3-wheel bike. I have to admit it was very refreshing to see the kids on their bikes kept a pretty straight line while riding. Nice clean fun, no cars for a few hours. Happy New Year..... watch out for those snakes....... read more

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It's so much fun to ride with everybody when all the streets are closed down for miles. There's plenty of people organizing this event and I'm grateful that we're having such a great time every time we go to one. It was kind of hot on Western Avenue over the weekend, but that didn't stop us. If you ride a bicycle, I would highly suggest that you check out the next event and you can look on the City Of Los Angeles website. read more

CicLAvia - Great ride - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Los Angeles, California

One of my favorite events that I've been attending for many years. This is a great opportunity to gather with bicycle fanatics and take over parts of the city that most of us wouldn't walk or bicycle through because we are stuck in our cars. It's a good time to bring out the young ones to ride safely along the usual busy streets. read more

my second cicLAvia on 12/4/23 in South LA, spent a few hours, and i LOVED it! i've been to a few in another city as well so have some room to speak. YOU NEED TO GO!!! no ifs, ands, or buts. this is the best way to explore the city. the street they shut down was HUGE (4 lane MLK Jr blvd) and there was representation of all enjoyers of the street being shut down; skaters (like me), bikers, low rider bikes, strollers, wheelchairs, walkers, hang out in the streeters, free pedicabs! there was great security to ensure safety! so many volunteers ensuring safety and fun! also, there were SO many bike repair tents and they had ALL the supplies which is more than i've seen in other cities. great people watching! tons of food along the road. also got some good freebies. read more

Ciclavia in Los Angeles is a fun bike ride or walk. This route was down Washington Blvd between Labrea and Hoover, about 4 miles. The streets were closed to cars, making it easy and safe to bike, walk or run along the route. I saw stores on Washington Blvd that I had never noticed before. Plenty of activities and vendors along the way, making it a great event for families and friends to enjoy. Food trucks, live music, and games for kids created a festive atmosphere and porta potty. One of the things that I loved about Ciclavia L was the sense of community. Everyone was friendly and welcoming. And a strong police presence. Get your bikes ready for the next Ciclavia on May 2023. Enjoy Be a proud American, Peace/Love read more

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10/06/2019 There are unmounting zones that more than a few kept riding thru. No one stops them to unmount. I guess next time I could just ride thru too at a slower pace. I don't think the route has much thought put into it. There were a couple of hills that you have to ride up such as Wilshire Blvd if you are riding to MacArthur Park. On the other side is 1st Street bridge to make it to Mariachi Plaza. I think there should have been more volunteers to assist with these unmounting zones as they do with the traffic crossings for cars. read more

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This nonprofit run by Romel Pascual is anything but boring. The organizers are so dedicated and want to keep SoCAL moving. Great job team. Such a sense of belonging and experiencing the city in a unique way. While SoCAL does not have a Ciclovia that rivals Bogota's in size and scope, a number of L.A. communities host open street events. The streets are shut down temporarily and open to cyclists, skaters, and pedestrians. Pretty cool. L.A.'s CicLAvia is the country's largest open streets initiative. Each CicLAvia event is held in a different neighborhood. No fixed route, could be in Boyle Heights and the Arts District or on the new Sixth Street Viaduct like last year. It feels like a giant street party. Coming to Lemiert Park and Historic South Central on December 3. L.A. at it's best!!! Check out ciclavia.org In the Valley 626goldenstreets.com San Diego sdbikecoalition.org/ciclosdias read more

Having done multiple Ciclavias in the past, I must say that this last one (LA Phil 100) was the most memorable. Not only did my partner and I decide to walk it (and some extra miles beyond), but we also involved our parents. My dad brought his bike, met us at Capitol Records, and we all kept checking in on each other along the way. My bf's mom collected pins at every station, we stopped for snacks along the way, and best of all, we made sure to stop at every station and admire the celebrations. This truly was a great celebration of our fantastic city. It's difficult not to be cynical during these weird times, but this event made me hopeful. My Dad, being a cautious cynic,texted me after this event and mentioned that this made him feel hopeful. It's hard to be cynical after seeing our community come together like this. Love Ciclavia and hope it continues to bring our great citizens together. read more

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Stupid events organized by this company are disruptive and dangerous! Don't come to Hollywood blvd ever again! We hate you very much and wish that you close. My entire day was screwed because of them. I was one of many trapped in the neighborhood. I hate you with all my heart!! A public hearing is due regarding any street closures! You need to ASK for OUR permission to have an event at OUR expense!! You understand that???!!! You opened streets for a tiny portion of people while the rest of the city suffered for HOURS trying to get through or get home in the summer heat!! I have cursed you with all my heart and soul! May this stupidity backfire on you asap! May you suffer the outcomes of your choices!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

OOOOOO....the Ciclavia today (9-30-2018) was way over the top! If you missed this one from Capitol Records in Hollywood to the Wiltern on Wilshire to the Disney Concert Hall on Grand--may the lord have mercy on your sole. Everyone was there except YOU! What are you going to talk about at the office Monday morning? 1000's of street performers. 1000's of bikes. 1000's of cops. What a well produced event. Not sure they can outdo this one? Target (the store chain) converted McArthur park into Target Park for the day and was giving out a ton of stuff. Even the waffle truck was there and they don't come very often. Capital One Bank took over the patio in front of the Disney Concert Hall and was giving out samples of money. (fake money). Local city counsel people were there giving out coupon books with discounts to businesses in their jurisdiction that gave them contributions to help them get elected. I don't know where the next one will be, but if you miss it..... read more

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I love these events! It's great exercise for the family! They have entertainment, food, ans vendors. Plus they have sufficient staff and police officers to ensure your safety. We have been going to these events for years. read more

Riding bikes on the streets of LA without any worry about traffic, cars, enjoying the community and day. These events are great for the community, businesses, public and the soul. Enjoy riding bikes meeting your neighbors while riding bikes through the streets and in neighborhoods you may not even know about. The rides are controlled by the event staff that ensure a safe monitored bike ride. They make sure traffic is roped off so we have full range of the streets that are included in the route. Traffic lights are controlled by police so bikes and cars share the right of way. It's a fun event to bring the kids on bikes, scooters, big wheels, trikes, wagons or just walk the route. Riders of all levels are welcomed, mostly flat streets so you won't have to battle hills or steep declines. Many activities along the route. There is food trucks, restaurants, music, pop up tents, you name it it's here. Many free giveaways and promotions along the way as well as clean fresh water stations ( drinking fountains for water bottles, drinking fountains and dog hydration). And the best part is dogs are welcome. Get some sun maybe some exercise and mingle with business or neighbors. I love these events! read more

CicLAvia - Harper and Ozzy out for a bike ride - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I missed the original LA CicLAvia, so wanted to be sure I enjoyed Los Angeles, as it celebrates its 5th anniversary. I first rode to the South Pasadena Gold Line to Chinatown with a slight mist throughout my trip. Once getting to Chinatown, the sprinkles stopped, a good omen. Traveling down Broadway and making a left on First Street brought me to the opening ceremonies, and many booths. There was a nice arch for photographs and many civic organization booths. Going east towards the Hollenbeck Hub brought back many memories of the old Los Angeles, with the LA River, bridges, Rail yard and the history of how the City grew. Getting to to this Hub, I took in the photo booth and enjoyed the surrounding community. Okay, now to MacArthur Park! Getting there, I got lost and ended up on Hill Street; No Bueno! The streets of LA are tough, and I immediately looked for the CicLAvia route. Fortunately, I found myself back on track and headed towards the Park. This had the most hills to climb, so I figured this was my cardio workout for today. This section has you going between huge high rise buildings through a small narrow corridor; I would have preferred going through the tunnel. Reaching the park only took a few minutes, and not many vendors were there. I missed Wahoos, hoping they would be there with their free coupons, but could not find them. All in all, a pretty nice trip through LA, and an experience on how to maneuver the streets of LA on bike. read more

CicLAvia - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Ciclavia is absolutely amazing, from the dedicated people who put everything together to the very cool community of people participating. 10-10-10 was awesome and 4-12-11 did not disappoint. You'll never feel the same riding your bike in Los Angeles again.. because you'll have these memories of riding through downtown in the middle of the street, along with kids in wagons, guys on rollerblades with music strapped to their backs, scooters, trikes, unicycles, and even the kiddo who plays you the Star Wars theme on his trumpet as you ride by. My boyfriend's pedal was coming off by the time we got to MacArthur Park this time around. Everyone was so nice- the people working the event helped him fix it immediately! Plus you could refill your water bottle there- be sure to drink lots of water and wear sunscreen. Lots of activity and food trucks down on Heliotrope, right by where we live. Yum, we ate at the Dosa Truck this time and at Scoops last time. The entire ride was wonderful! I heard the Ciclavia in July may not go down due to lack of funding, so be sure to donate to this amazing event- that way we can all enjoy it again! read more

CicLAvia - There we are :) - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I love CicLAvia!! I've been riding in the DTLA for a few years now. It's so much fun! They block off a good amount of the streets from about 9AM to 4PM. There are food trucks and cool stuff to look at - lotsa shopping. This time around had the Kogi taco truck for breakfast then stopped by Boye Heights for lunch, then China town for dessert/drinks. There are cool bikes with trinkets, people playing the drums on bikes - pretty fun overall. Yay for CicLavia!! read more

CicLAvia - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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One the best bike rides you can do in downtown la. The trek takes you from boyle heights thru downtown and finishing off on melrose by the 101. Trip one way is about 9 miles. What i loved is all the people and families all on bikes. There were some runners and some people walking as well. Foodtrucks, music, etc etc were all along the route. So a lot of things to see. 9 miles came and went. We did the ride on april 15th, 2012 and cant wait for the next one. read more

CicLAvia - April 2012 - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Love it!! It does get crazy, though in some sections of the downtown intersections when 100s of bicyclists are stopped for through traffic. I always enjoy seeing the tall, unicycle high, bikes. What an awesome scene! You'll see all types of bikes, and riders of different levels of ability. Great to tour around the city, have fun, and to hang out. Plus there's always fun having lunch along the way! read more

This event is awesome. My friends and I had a blast....I can't wait for the next CicLAvia! My friends and I arrived around the area at 9am. We were fortunate to find parking as soon as we got there. We didn't start at the beginning. So we just leisurely biked from where we were at to one end (The Peterson Automotive Museum). On the way there, we passed other museums like the La Brea Tar Pit and LACMA. What's amazing is that I've passed by these many times, but never took the time to walk around. There are also free photo booths around this area. They also print them out for you. There's a station in front of a new museum coming out, here they offered to make a flip book which was cool because they shot a 7 second frame and they provided props. At this end, they had about 5 different food trucks. Once we got to this end, we turned around and headed toward DTLA. On the way to the other end, you'll run into many volunteers who cheer you along the way...this includes free hugs and high fives. There's a Korean Christian Church at one of the corners where there are people giving out free water. Along the way, there are small hills, so you'll have to be somewhat fit if you're trying to make it all the way from one side to the other. Otherwise, you can take small rest periods. When you get to the end, there's a dismount zone where you're no longer allowed to ride your bike. There are policemen who walk around asking you to get off (someone said you'll get ticketed, but I don't know how true this is). As you're continuing to walk along, there's another area for food trucks. REI is also at this end providing free bike repairs, yoga, and a rock climbing wall. During the entire event, there are areas where it's super crowded, so it's a little dangerous. At one time, there were people who crashed into one another and fell off their bikes. However, for the most part, there were many little kids riding along Wilshire. Also, you'll see a few jogging, rollerblading, or skate boarding. CicLAvia doesn't discriminate! I definitely recommend this event to anyone of all ages. Bring your families and friends because it's a great way to enjoy the out door. It's a great way to be active and spend time with one another. I will most likely attend future CicLAvia events! read more

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Unlike Critical Mass, the organizers of CicLAvia actually barricade streets for their events. Yes, the entire street is at the disposal of participants ranging from cyclists and skateboarders to joggers and walkers! There are also little "hubs" along the routes where you can play games, eat food, and get involved with the community. Definitely fun for the whole family! read more

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2012 - first time trying this event out! Super chill bike ride around all over DTLA, you can go to Staples Center, Little Tokyo, Chinatown etc. Fun times!!! Safe, fun and nice environment. Lots going on, and don't recommend anyone bringing their dogs/pets. It gets LA traffic in many areas. Food trucks come out in one area. read more

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all the electronic signage blighting our landscape & the city couldn't even put up signs indicating which 110 freeway exits would lead to through north/south streets, instead of labyrinthine areas ending in completely closed off streets. absolutely ridiculous & not thought through on any level. we read maundering signage about saving water, not driving drunk, etc., & they couldn't program one to help drivers trying to get home legitimately. appalling planning. but hardly surprising from the city of los angeles. well done! read more

The short______________________________ This is a quarterly-ish event, refer to website for date/route/programming/volunteer/etc info. Bring yourself & family/friends, cash, water, snacks, sun protection, camera, helmet if riding & first aid kit. You don't need a bike, slow traffic stays to the right. The long__________________________________ My Dad used to take us out bike riding when we were kids so I love coming here w my Dad. We had so much fun we started inviting the rest of the family. Each & every time we have a blast, these events have been some of the most memorable in this wonderful city. There is a genuine sense of community & an energetically positive vibe. A bicycle is not necessary, this event is fully enjoyable as a pedestrian or simply for people watching. Most slow traffic tends to stay to the right. If you have kiddos I recommend checking out the hubs. Our favorite things about cicLAvia are: - the costumes - the awesome custom bikes - the entrepreneurship - the FOOD! (There can be lines at food trucks so we try & hit up local restaurants along the routes, popular places will also have lines lol FYI there usually is at least one vegan option truck.) - the adorable kids that pedal as hard as they can - the adorable kids passed out from all the pedaling - the teaching workshops CicLAvia - the neighboring residents who embrace the event by having their own 'Bike Parties' complete w bbq & music - the MUSIC! Hubs are locations along the route that have water stations, porta potties, bike parking/valet, basic bike repair (be prepared for a fee), booths to purchase cicLAvia gear, vendors, food trucks ($$), & first aid. Depending on the hub (not all have everything) they have bike safety classes for kids, art stuff for kids, or where kids can win small prizes, various types of entertainment such as a performer or a demonstration or a band. Bring yourself & family/friends, cash, water, snacks, sun protection, camera, helmet if you are riding & first aid kit especially if you come w young riders. WC: Porta potties at route 'hubs'. Parking: Most of the routes are located near light rail stations and since bicycles are allowed on the light rail you are encouraged to take advantage of public transportation. Generally, however, there has been more than adequate street parking available. Nerdie Birdie tid bit: This style of events actually began in Columbia and has spread around the world. In LA this is a quarterly-ish event, however, in other countries it is a weekly event. Long Beach, San Diego, and even the SG Valley have started their own riding days. You can find about other locations by looking up Ciclovia on wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ciclov%C3%ADa read more

IT'S SPREADING ACROSS THE GLOBE! BACKGROUND: CicLAvia started as a grassroots initiative in 2008 as the outgrowth of discussions held by a number of individuals who recognized that open streets events could address active transportation, urban land use and public health needs in Los Angeles. Inspired by the ciclovía events that started 40 years ago in Bogotá, Colombia, the first CicLAvia was held on October 10, 2010. Five years and 14 CicLAvias later, more than a million people have explored more than 100 miles of open streets in Los Angeles County. Interesting history: Google "Ciclovia". STATS: FREE event Different city street on different Sunday's (check Events page: http://www.ciclavia.org/events) Leave the car at home Ride or walk a little or as much as you can EXPERIENCE: First time I participated in CicLAvia was a few years ago. Had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I'm glad I did it anyway. Friends met at my place in Silver Lake, where we rode our big wheels to DTLA. From there, with eyes wide open, we discovered and experienced our own city in a whole new direction, and it was goooooooooooood!!! With streets barricaded and closed to vehicles for the safety of riders, skaters, and walkers, CicLAvia is a WHEELIE great way to get out and explore different cities while getting some exercise on foot or on wheels. Street vendors and sponsors are scattered throughout the routes, offering participant's schwaaaag, souvenirs, trinkets, food, and drink, as well as games for youngins of all ages. Recently me and The Crew hit the streets of LA on foot. Starting in ChinaTown, we follow the downloadable map provided from the CicLAvia website, http://www.ciclavia.org/events_history. From ChinaTown to Grand Park, to MacArthur Park back to Grand Park, and finishing the day in ChinaTown. We opted to skip the Hollenbeck leg of the trek, as it was getting late in the day. Aside from lollygagging in Grand Park Hub; stopping at various information booths for knowledge, and vendors for schwaaag, we expended a lot of our time enjoying the historical buildings DTLA has to offer, not to mention, a self-directed tour through, one of LA's icons, the newly reopened Clifton's Cafeteria. Be forewarned, LA is in need of some cleansing rain. There are pockets throughout the route that were quite smelly from peeps using the streets as their port-a-potty. Overall, I had a WHEELIE Rollin' good time participating in CicLAvia on my big wheel, as well as in my chucks and hope, in the future, The Crew doesn't plan any adventures that conflict with CicLAvia. read more

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Tourists and out of town folks may find this day to be a fun filled and exciting social event, but for the locals and LA drivers who live right smack in the middle of where this event falls, this is not the case. First and foremost, it's great that people in LA get to express their special interests and promote physically fit lifestyles BUT clogging up the city streets on a leisurely day such as the weekends, where families travel the most AND doing so by closing off the MAJOR STREETS, is very unprofessional and unaccomodating for the rest of the population who happens to be stuck in the middle of Ciclavia traffic. Some people actually work 5 days a week and have to sit thru traffic on a daily basis. Making these people sit thru more traffic on days like these is very UNCOOL. My suggestions: 1) Notify the rest of the city properly, by sending out free texts giving everyone a HEADS UP--utilize the disaster network or something--city can work with cell phone companies to arrange announcements. 2) Utilize different routes using places that are more bicycle friendly, such as the beach, or hiking routes that have good inclines and declines. 3) Learn from more established and well received special interest groups such as the 5K run for her, or cancer walks etc. that are more friendly mannered for the rest of the population. Sitting through 2 hours of traffic when I have to go pick up my baby so I can breastfeed is in one word, DISASTROUS. read more

CicLAvia - It took me approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes of sitting in TRAFFIC to get to this intersection. Happy Ciclavia day! - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Los Angeles, California

In case you were wondering, the next event is on 10/6/13. http://www.ciclavia.org/ Yes, I bought a bike and now I want a new one. So if you want to buy a single speed bike, hit me up. read more

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Matt B. and I got bicycles last month, just in time to enjoy the most recent CicLAvia, which ran on Wilshire between Western and Grand. I'd always been vaguely curious about this event, but as I hadn't owned or ridden a bike since college, I'd just kind of hear about it here and there and think, "That sounds nice." It was more than nice--it was marvelous, and I wish I'd participated earlier. Wilshire was closed for most of the day (which makes CicLAvia great for cyclists, but not so great for unprepared drivers), and Matt and I joined the party in the early afternoon, biking over from our place. There streets and sidewalks were crowded with cyclists--I was worried about getting stuck in tire to tire traffic, but Wilshire was wide enough for everyone. The crowd seemed to be a pretty even cross-section of LA--men and women, adults and children, less than half white. There were lots of families, and everyone seemed to be having a great time. I grew up in LA, and have spent a lot of time along Wilshire Boulevard, working and playing, eating and drinking, between Koreatown and downtown. But until CicLAvia, I'd never gone down the middle of the street, with all that Los Angeles majesty flying past me, without the barrier of a 3,000-pound car. I'd seen these views thousands of times, but the lens was entirely different. Matt and I are not exactly fit specimens, but we made it to Grand without difficulty--Wilshire is relatively flat, as it turns out, and there was only one part steep enough that we were all told to walk our bikes. There was a block party at the end, with food trucks and music and a thousand Angelenos with bicycles. We had a wonderful afternoon, and it was all free--except for our bikes and attendant gear, of course, which cost plenty. If you don't own a bike, though, you don't have to buy one to do CicLAvia. Renting seems easy, and with all the cars out of the picture, there's plenty to enjoy as a pedestrian. I guess if you're a runner, you can get a better on-foot experience out of a marathon, but then you have to run a marathon. I loved CicLAvia's breezy ease, and will go again any time it runs near my part of LA. read more

Twice a year, Los Angeles closes the streets of downtown LA so that we can ride amongst the skyscrapers with our friends, family, and 100,000 other Angelenos with the same idea. I'd never try to cycle in downtown while car traffic is at it's peak. I think it is really cool to be able to ride your bike in the middle of the road as if you own it. The entire route is also accessible via the metro rail system. I've taken the Gold Line to the event and it was a cool way to get to the event. If you do it that way, then you don't really have to worry about the parking. I really enjoy the event because it gives you an awesome perspective of the city. I like how it also encourages us to get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful LA weather. These events have been an awesome way to lure friends to join me on bike rides. Ciclavia tends to run on Sundays, so, unfortunately, many of the most popular Downtown Restaurants are closed. But, after completing this ride, I always reward myself with a trip to Little Tokyo. The only drawback to this event is that it's gotten so popular. The event starts officially at 10 (though the streets are closed as early as 9am) and by 11am there is a lot of people on the road. The combination of street lights and bike traffic make the pace of this ride very leisurely. Overall, I think that it is a unique event and I love their mission. Unfortunately, it's just getting too busy and, when the ride is at its slowest, it feels comparable to sitting in LA traffic on the 10 frwy, But I love the event because it forces us to appreciate this city and our beautiful weather. That's evident as you get the opportunity to witness firsthand the kids in the middle of the road, the smiles on people's faces, and the cool breeze as you are able to pick up speed on your bike. If you want to find out when the next CicLAvia event is, you can read about it at ciclavia.org. If you're interested....save the date. The next one is on Oct 14, 2012. read more

I remember seeing signs that said CicLAvia last year. At that time, I googled it since we had to find another way to get to our destination because of the street closures. Today my boyfriend and I knew Wilshire was going to be closed. We decided to walk over to Wilshire and check it out. It was fun seeing the city come alive in a different way. Seeing Wilshire full of people of all ages on bikes, skateboards, roller blades, or just on foot was a refreshing view from a street filled with cars. It's a great way to encourage a greener lifestyle or just to have a fun day outdoors. It seemed great for businesses on Wilshire especially small businesses. According to the website, the next event is in October. I will have a bike ready and join the fun. read more

6 miles of street blocked off with food trucks throughout. The organization was great with lots of signs and volunteers. You can travel from Broadway to Echo Park in minutes. The best part about CicLavia is that you don't have to worry about safety. There are first aid stations at almost every stop and something for everyone to do. The best part about this ride is going through the tunnel on your bike. Be sure to hoot and holler..ring you bell..honk your horn...and enjoy the ride. This ran from 9 am-4pm and typically occurs the first weekend of the month when it does pop up. Do it once to say that you've seen it and done it. It's worth it. Plus, you can say you got your exercise and ate well. It balances each other out. Don't sweat it. Just remember sunscreen though!! read more

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cicLAvia = win of epic proportions for the City of Angels. This event couldn't have gone any better. Economic stimulus for local businesses. Lines out of restaurants and local businesses for miles. The diversity of LA shows its happy face. People of all colors, ages, shapes, sizes, socioeconomic statuses, bikers, walkers, joggers, skaters, dancers were all equal and smiling together for these few hours. When will you ever witness that again? Free, smogless, healthy exercise and vitamin D for the people of LA. We lowered everyone's health care premiums yesterday. Got from DTLA to East Hollywood in about 20-25 minutes cycling at a leisurely pace. That's faster than 85% of the time it would take in a car. For all you haters... suck my bicycle ball bearings and learn to have some fun. Fun and happiness is what happens when you get out of your car and meet your neighbor. From the website: "We are currently preparing for Los Angeles' first "open-street" Sunday. Seven and a half miles of streets will be car-free from 10 AM - 3 PM on Sunday October 10th 2010. The streets will be safe for people to walk, skate, play and ride a bike. There will be activities along the route. Shop owners and restaurants are encouraged to open their doors to people along the CicLAvia. A Ciclovía is not just for recreation. It is social integration. Ciclovías started in Bogotá, Colombia, over thirty years ago as a response to the congestion and pollution of city streets. Now they happen throughout Latin America and the United States, connecting communities and giving people a break from the stress of car traffic. The health benefits are immense. Ciclovías bring families outside of their homes to enjoy the streets, our largest public space. In Los Angeles we need CicLAvia more than ever. Our streets are congested with traffic, our air is polluted with toxic fumes, our children suffer from obesity and other health conditions caused by the scarcity of public space and safe, healthy transportation options. CicLAvia creates a temporary park for free, simply by removing cars from city streets. It creates a network of connections between our neighborhoods and businesses and parks with corridors filled with fun. We can't wait to see you at CicLAvia!" read more

CicLAvia - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Everyday should be car free day! It's such a wonderful change to see walkers and cyclists on the road and not have to worry about traffic or crazy drivers zooming through the streets of L.A. Since Ciclavia started, I've always wanted to partake in their events but scheduling hasn't allowed me to until this past weekend at the Iconic Wilshire Blvd route. The moment I found out our schedules were open for us to attend this ride, we immediately packed up our bikes and drove to Wilshire and 7th. It was a magnificent 6 mile stretch of Wilshire, completely car free! There were tons and tons of cyclists, all shapes and sizes, skateboarders, paddleboarders, rollerbladers. Truly a refreshing sight to see. Lots of vendors taking advantage of this event by offering snacks and drinks to purchase along the route. The Singha beer garden was a treat at $5 per ticket plus a free goodie bag if you purchase 4 tickets was definitely a bonus on this route. There were plenty of restaurants, food trucks, architecture, sights, museums, parks and just tons of places where you can enjoy an entire day admiring everything around you. I really liked that everyone was so respectful to other participants on the roads. There might have been a handful of people who just weren't considerate of other riders by swerving in and out of lanes, but it wasn't too much of a big deal. I encourage everyone to take advantage of these events because it really makes you appreciate the beauty that L.A. has to offer by cruising through the streets and enjoying the architecture and the people, without all the smog. The event ended at 4pm and the police are definitely strict about it. So if you happen to park on one of the route, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to head back before getting kicked off the streets. read more

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I cannot express how much I love CicLAvia!! I've heard of this event before on the news and never cared about it because I didn't own a bike at the time. And then when I finally got a bike I was more interested in CicLAvia. My first time going was in October 2011. And just yesterday, I attended for the second time. How do I write a review without sounding like I'm rambling (because we all know we want to read reviews that go straight to the facts right?!) It's not just for bicycle riders, it's for skaters, roller bladers, skateboarders, pedestrians, old, young, infants, everyone! Although bikes do dominate the streets it's pretty much an event where they close down the streets of DTLA to cars. Some tips for you: My bf and I come from the valley, so we hop onto the Red line (subway) from the NoHo station (on days that CicLAvia is held, they add extra buses and train cars to the subways to accomodate the masses and the bicycles), and get off at Vermont/Beverly station and we start our ride from there. You can start anywhere you like (I highly suggest visiting CicLAvia's website for maps). Be kind to all the riders and even people who decide to walk, jog, or run it. Slow down when you need to slow down and be cautious when turning corners. It should be a fun and friendly event. ;D Support the vendors and restaurants nearby! Don't bring a lunch or even water, there's a lot of people selling things from water, to homemade lemonade stands from the neighborhoods, to fruits, and loooots of food trucks and businesses to try out around/along the route! Bring cash just in case!!! Beware of the hills and incline in certain areas! Beach cruisers with no gears are a killer!! I can attest to that! I love CicLAvia but hate that my beach cruiser (which is cute looking but not hill-friendly) and my little legs cannot make it easily over the hills. Sometimes I have to walk my bike up the hill because it's exhausting. But if you're physically fit and able to do it then kudos to you! I suggest a mountain, road, or hybrid bike instead! Overall, I love the idea of closing down streets to enjoy the sites of DTLA! You get such a different perspective of Los Angeles when you're riding a bike. I've drove around LA and walked around LA but when you're on a bike, you see it in a different light. It occurs twice a year (April and October) and I highly recommend on joining in on the fun! read more

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It took me so long to finally join in on the CicLAvia fun, and when the time came it was actually hosted just outside of L.A., in Pasadena. What a treat it was to have all the streets closed for cyclists, skateboarders, and pedestrians. That's right, you don't need a bike to participate in the festivities! It's a car-free zone for half the day and a chance for the local businesses to get more foot traffic. The route covered some of the busiest parts of the city. I inadvertently avoided the morning rush to the event. Consequently I missed out on a lot of the giveaways and activities since most of my time was spent covering the route before streets opened back up rather than stopping for longer periods of time. The staff handled the traffic flow well. Streets were clear to ride and walk (some even brought their beautiful dogs), but there are mandatory dismount zones at busy intersections. Different hubs were placed along the route with vendors and water stations, but even some of the permanent businesses got in on the action and offered specials. What I found most helpful was the availability of bike valet and maintenance tents. To the guys who fixed up my back wheel/brake after a long, busy day, thank you for being lifesavers! If I didn't live outside of the county, I would participate more often, but I wonder what the locals think and feel about blocks being shut down when they rely on their cars so much. I suppose this event is supposed to foster and appreciation for alternative forms of transportation, and I truly hope it makes a difference! read more