Each open streets event is excellent, and each has its own variations. Yesterday, L.A.'s 16th CicLAvia touched down in the north San Fernando Valley communities of Pacoima, Arleta, and Panorama City.
As I mentioned in a preview, this was the first CicLAvia without a Metro rail station on the route, though there were still plenty of ways to get there, including special Metrolink service.
I would guesstimate that this "CicLAvia - The Valley" route looked perhaps 30 to 40 percent less crowded than a "Heart of Los Angeles" downtown L.A. CicLAvia. There were tens of thousands of people out enjoying themselves, but with a less central location combined with wider roadways, the crowds looked a bit thinner.
What was fun, though, was that it looked like lots of neighbors made their way out into the streets. People hung out in front of apartment buildings, some on narrow lawns, some sitting on the curb. Families walked, strollered, scootered, and bicycled; there were lots of small girls and boys on bikes with training wheels, with parents walking behind. From tax preparers to restaurants, local businesses spilled out into the streets.
How was your CicLAvia day, readers? How did you get to yesterday's CicLAvia? Let us know in the comments below.
More photos (and upcoming open streets dates) after the jump.
There are lots of upcoming Metro-sponsored open streets now through the end of June. From Metro's press release:
Saturday, March 19: Beach Streets Downtown. The Downtown Long Beach route will feature the Broadway Corridor, Pine Ave., East Village Arts District and 4th Street Retro Row. Event Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closest Metro Station: 1st Street, Downtown Long Beach Metro Blue Line Stations. Route Length: 4 miles. More information here.
Saturday, April 23: Lawndale Community Bicycle Ride and Open Street Event presented by Metro. The route will include the intersection of Manhattan Beach Boulevard and Prairie Avenue and will traverse along Manhattan Beach Boulevard, Hawthorne Boulevard, Marine Avenue and Prairie Avenue. Event hours: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Closest Metro Station: Redondo Beach Metro Green Line Station. Route Length: 2.2 miles. More information here.
Sunday, May 1: Downey Ride & Stride Open Street Event presented by Metro. Come and explore miles of safe, fun, car-free space for walking, biking, skating, jogging, strolling and the opportunity to discover Downey. Event hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closest Metro Station: Lakewood Metro Green Line Station. Route Length: 5.5 miles. More information here.
Sunday, May 15: CicLAvia: Southeast Cities. For the first time, CicLAvia will connect six communities in Southeast Los Angeles with an open streets event. The communities of Huntington Park, Walnut Park, South Gate, Firestone, Lynwood, and Watts will host the open streets event. Streets will be closed to cars and open for cyclists, pedestrians, runners and skaters to use as a recreational space. Event Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closest Metro Station: 103rd Street/Watts Towers Metro Blue Line Station. Route Length: 8.58 miles. More information here.
Saturday, June 4: Santa Monica Open Streets Event. Take the Expo Light Rail to the heart of Santa Monica to explore a car-free downtown by bike or foot. Breeze Bike Share is available at the Expo stop and throughout downtown. Route and event hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closest Metro Station: Downtown Santa Monica Expo Line Station. More information here.
Sunday, June 12: San Gabriel Valley Car-Free Friendly Open Street. The route was selected to incorporate the Rio Hondo River Bike Path, the El Monte Bus Station, the El Monte Metrolink station, Peck Rd. Park, and Whittier Narrows. Event Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closest Transit Station: El Monte Metrolink Station, Upper Rio Hondo Regional Pedestrian/Bicycle Trail . Route Length: 4.9 miles. More information here.
Sunday, June 26: 626 Golden Streets Presented by Metro. Walk, Run, Skate, Bike and Explore the 626 linking six Foothill Metro Gold Line stations and seven San Gabriel Valley cities from South Pasadena to Azusa. Closest Metro Station: Mission Metro Gold Line Station and Azusa Downtown. Route Length: 17+ miles. More information here.
