Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In
CicLAvia

Gary’s CicLAvia Journal – CicLAvia a New Experience When You Leave the Bike at Home

8:20 AM PDT on April 16, 2012

CicLAvia Lemonade

(Throughout the day we'll be adding personal stories from our three regular writers who were at CicLAvia about how they spent their Sunday. - DN)

Having cycled CicLAvia multiple times now, and inspired by recent renewed interest in pedestrian advocacy in L.A., I decided to leave the bike at home this time. My wife Meghan and I set out to catch the opening ceremonies with just some good walking shoes and bus fare.

Traveling by foot made CicLAvia a new experience again. I noticed details I never noticed before. We stopped into small businesses I otherwise would have rolled past. We also found lunch at a little booth called Southern Fried Vegan at the back of what is usually a parking lot, along with a few other pop-up establishments. The booths were all advertised from the street as a biker pit stop on a hand painted banner. Had I been riding my bike however, I had to admit I probably would have glanced my head over for a moment, and would have just kept rolling. In the pursuit of trying to see everything by bike, you can so easily overlook the smaller attractions in between the big destinations on the map.

There were a few moments where those on bikes came a little close for comfort as we walked in the street. I see more clearly now the concern to keep it all slow, chill, and inviting for all participants. Although it never once came close to the threatening feeling of cars roaring and blundering around. On the whole it was delightful, liberating, and spontaneous traveling CicLAvia on my two feet instead of two wheels. I hope to see more walkers enjoying the event next time in October.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

Rundown of New Federal Reconnecting Communities Grants for L.A. County

There are seven L.A. County Reconnecting Communities grants totaling $162 million - about 90% of that goes to Metro's Removing Barriers project, which includes new bus lanes, first/last mile walk/bike facilities, bike-share, and more.

March 19, 2024

Where L.A. City Will Add New Bus-Only Lanes

New bus lanes are coming to Broadway, Colorado Blvd., Crenshaw Blvd, Lincoln Blvd., Los Feliz Blvd., Santa Monica Blvd., Valley Blvd., Vermont Avenue, Westwood Blvd., Whittier Blvd. and many more city streets!

March 15, 2024
See all posts