What are you doing this Sunday?
In the wake of the recent BPIT meetings, we’ve posted a lot on what the plans for 7th Street may be. However, possibly the best way to go about thinking about what it would be like is to experience it for yourself in a safe environment in a couple of weeks. As you can see below, the route covers most of the proposed project boundaries.
For those of you who were unable to join the CicLAvia team last time (check the link for some great photos and a taste of what to expect), the event seeks to “make the streets safe for people to walk, skate, play and ride a bike.” With a reported 100,000 people participating, efforts aim to repeat that success and further show the possibilities of using streets as public space. This includes thinking about the streets as accessible space with the potential for uses beyond whats current, raising awareness about how we have become accustomed to using the streets and how we would like to use them in the future.
There are going to be a variety of feeder rides that will be leading groups to the event (Click here for the list, courtesy of Ciclavia). KPCC also writes about some of the things they are looking forward to here (they also have a link to The Source blog for Metro reroutes). Highlights include the Mayor and Lance Armstrong opening the festivities in Little Tokyo at 9:30 AM, 1000bikes.org’s repair/support booth, Food Forward’s Grapefruit harvesting and giveaway and DODGEBALL (and I’m sure much more craziness that I can’t fit on this blog post, bu you’ll hear about through the links).
LADOT Bike Program is going to be pulling our bike trailer (or, as we like to call it, “the mobile bike program booth”) during the ride with all kinds of little giveaways and to assist with any errant flat tires. Keep an eye out for any of our Bicycle Coordinators and say “Hi” if you get a chance. I’m sure there’s a patch kit, ankle strap, LADOT pencil, pin, or postcard in it for you. Just look for the trailer:
We hope to you see as many bike lovers out there as possible to support this great event. It really is the opportunity to show increasing support for bicycle culture as well as getting a feel for future possibilities.
SO GET OUT AND RIDE!
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Here is some stuff from around the blog-o-sphere:
Streetsblog LA: StreetsVid: A Chat with Joe Linton, Let’s Get Excited for CicLAvia
Huff Po: 10 Historic Buildings Along the Route
LAist: Hot Spots to Check Out
ADDED BONUS: Check out this post for ideas when hunger strikes.
Any more recommendations for the day are appreciated and encouraged in comments!
Check back for updates!
Do tell the story behind the mobile bike program booth! Old folks like me really would like to know! Does this mean that there is hope for a bike fleet for the coordinators so they can attend outreach events/meetings via bike?
My official CITY OF LOS ANGELES hat is off to LADOT bikeways for getting the bike trailer to repair flats and give out free gifts along the route, to help make CicLAvia seem a little more worthwhile for participants. It’s a great idea.
The little mobile bike program booth looks great. Very handsome little feller.