Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In
CicLAvia

CicLAvia Opens Streets in Pacoima, Arleta, and Panorama City

11:50 AM PDT on June 25, 2018

CicLAvia in front of the Pacoima Neighborhood City Hall. All photos: Joe Linton/Streetsblog L.A.

LongBeachize_Ad_Concepts
This article supported by Los Angeles Bicycle Attorney as part of a general sponsorship package. All opinions in the article are that of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of LABA. Click on the ad for more information.

Note: Metropolitan Shuttle, a leader in bus shuttle rentals, regularly sponsors coverage on Streetsblog San Francisco and Streetsblog Los Angeles. Unless noted in the story, Metropolitan Shuttle is not consulted for the content or editorial direction of the sponsored content.

Yesterday, Southern California's popular open streets festival touched down in the city of Los Angeles San Fernando Valley communities of Panorama City, Arleta and Pacoima. Thousands of participants walked, biked, skated and played along four miles of Van Nuys Boulevard that were closed to cars.

L.A. City Councilmembers Nury Martinez and Monica Rodriguez kicked off the day, welcoming Los Angeles to enjoy their north valley districts.

The event saw a lot of participation from folks along Van Nuys Boulevard. Groups of people emerged to sit and watch CicLAvia amble past on the boulevard. Kids circled on scooters, trikes, and training-wheeled bikes. Residents and businesses hosted impromptu outside dining. Sidewalk vendors sold aguas frescas, raspados, water, and Gatorade to passersby. Music coming from gatherings on steps, stoops, and curbs was answered by portable sound systems carried by bicyclists.

Compared to central Los Angeles CicLAvias, the "CicLAvia the Valley" crowds were a little thinner. It was certainly not empty; definitely there were plenty of people out enjoying public space, but it never quite got crowded. There are a few factors that might have contributed: the over-wide boulevard, the lack of easy Metro rail access, perhaps competition with World Cup soccer. Though most CicLAvia events tend to get more populous toward the late afternoon, yesterday's CicLAvia appeared to get a little thinner as the Valley's afternoon heat pushed participants to seek shade and air conditioning.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bkb1n7ABgxE/
Families enjoying CicLAvia on Van Nuys Boulevard
Families enjoying CicLAvia on Van Nuys Boulevard
Families enjoying CicLAvia on Van Nuys Boulevard
CicLAvia the Valley's route featured Pacoima's Mural Mile
CicLAvia the Valley's route featured Pacoima's Mural Mile
CicLAvia the Valley's route featured Pacoima's Mural Mile
CicLAvia spread out across Van Nuys Blvd
CicLAvia spread out across Van Nuys Blvd
CicLAvia spread out across Van Nuys Blvd
Skateboarder, cyclists and pedi-cab at yesterday's CicLAvia the Valley
Skateboarder, cyclists and pedi-cab at yesterday's CicLAvia the Valley
Skateboarder, cyclists and pedi-cab at yesterday's CicLAvia the Valley
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkbWQAMh3ib/

Readers - how was your CicLAvia the Valley experience?

CicLAvia will return on Sunday, September 30 with a new route celebrating the L.A. Philharmonic's 100th birthday. That route will extend from downtown L.A.'s Disney Hall to the Hollywood Bowl.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

Bus Rapid Transit Plans in SGV Get Clearer, and More Complicated

New concepts for rapid bus service across the 626 have ironed out the questions of where an East-West route would run and where demonstrations could begin.

December 1, 2023

Metro Board Approves $207 Million for 91 and 605 Freeway Expansion Projects

Metro and Caltrans eastbound 91 Freeway widening is especially alarming as it will increase tailpipe pollution in an already diesel-pollution-burdened community that is 69 percent Latino, and 28 percent Black

November 30, 2023
See all posts