If you’re reading Streetsblog, you doubtless know that this weekend is CicLAvia VI, “CicLAvia to the Sea.” Unlike many of the past CicLAvias, after CicLAvia I, most of the previews of this CicLAvia are of the exciting new route, and not of the many fun activities along the route. Streetsblog reached out to the CicLAvia team for some of the fun events along the route that are made possible by the opening of Los Angeles’ streets to people. 

For anyone that doesn’t know, this Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm, the city will close large portions of Venice Boulevard, Alvarado Street, 7th Street and Main Street to vehicle traffic (see map above.) West of the Mid-City Hub, only half of Venice will be closed, similar to closures for the L.A. Marathon.

Before we get into the events that don’t require bicycles, let’s note that there are “feeder rides” to CicLAvia from all across the city. Sahra Sulaiman wrote about the ones from South L.A. and the City Hall lawn earlier this week and the Larchmont Buzz wrote about the Hancock Park feeder earlier this week. If you don’t live in either of those areas, CicLAvia has a list of the rest of the feeder rides from throughout Greater Los Angeles.

WESTSIDE WALKLAVIA with Bob Inman

Meet at 10 am at the Culver City Expo Line station and walk west on Venice for five miles to CicLAvia’s Venice Hub. Bob Inman, the author of A Guide to the Public Stairways of Los Angeles, leads amazing walking tours all over LA. Even if you just want to walk a few miles, join LA Walks for a fun adventure on our open streets! Remember, CicLAvia is about opening the streets to all users, not just bicycles.

MOTOR AVENUE BIKEFEST

The Motor Avenue Improvement Association and Palms Cycle partner with ocal businesses of Motor Avenue to create a Bike Festival, complete with live music, food, fixed-gear freestyle show, crafts, bike equipment, petting zoo and pony rides, vintage clothing, and a display of classic bicycles. Join them at the corner of Venice Blvd. and Motor Avenue. The Bikefest extends to Palms Cycle at 3770 Motor Ave.

SANGHA RIDES WITH CICLAVIA!

In honor of Earth Day, the Brown Green Circle will be hosting a send-off in the garden at the Zen Center Los Angeles. At about 10 am, gather in the garden to make a wish in the earth vase, pick up a snack sack lunch, color your own Enso biker decoration, then off we go!

GOOD LA

GOOD brings neighborly love to public art and social justice organization SPARC’s lawn for CicLAvia. This is just the first of many GOOD Local monthly events in Los Angeles centered around community-based themes and topics.

Swing by to smile and post in the photo booth, grab some fresh lemonade, and take a shot at a trivia while (if you dare). Meet your GOOD LA neighbors at this debut event and learn why neighborly friendships are goof for you and your community.

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes in celebration of Earth Day!

OFF THE ROUTE:

LACMA celebrates Earth Day…

…with a day of programs and activities designed for all ages, including artist-led workshops, tour of the collection for families and adults, a nature-inspired poetry workshop for adults, sketching from nature, music jam with instruments made of recycled materials, and a guided walkthrough of the natural art on campus. You and your friends can organize your own community bike ride. Check out LADOT’s bike maps for a safe route.

LA PHIL’S BROOKLYN FESTIVAL goes old-school with Copland’s Organ Symphony. Come for the world premiere of a new piece by Ted Hearne, a dynamic young composer as comfortable in operatic and orchestral works as in rock and choral music. At Walt Disney Concert Hall on Sunday, April 21st at 2:00pm – just enough time to enjoy CicLAvia!

(P.S. – Welcome first-time reader, and Sammy’s Pre-School Teacher Mrs. Kishi!)