CicLAvia

CicLAvia South L.A. Opens Western Avenue – Open Thread

CicLAvia's first event along South L.A.'s Western Avenue featured mayoral hopeful Karen Bass, City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, and tens of thousands participants.

By Joe Linton

1:02 PM PDT on July 11, 2022

CicLAvia South L.A. Opens Western Avenue – Open Thread

Low rider cyclists enjoying CicLAvia on Western Avenue yesterday. Photos by Joe Linton/Streetsblog

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Yesterday, L.A. County’s popular CicLAvia open streets festival arrived at South L.A.’s Western Avenue for the very first time. The free event took place on three miles of Western Avenue between Florence Avenue and Exposition Boulevard. Tens of thousands of Angelenos bicycled, walked, skated, scootered on car-free streets.

L.A. City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson welcomed participants to the event, tying it to his work with the L.A. Department of Transportation (LADOT) to make Western safer for people on foot and on bicycle.

“Western Ave. is our most dangerous thoroughfare for pedestrians and cyclists. Opening it up so that we can use it safely lays a marker on the future we want to create… we want to change this from one of the most dangerous streets to one of the safest.” @mhdcd8 pic.twitter.com/i1IFNxEAt0
— CicLAvia (@CicLAvia) July 10, 2022

Congressmember and L.A. Mayoral candidate Karen Bass bicycled alongside her brother.

My brother and I have been riding bikes in South L.A. since we were young, which is why we were so excited to participate in @CicLAvia this morning.

We must continue to work to make our streets more accessible and more safe for bikers throughout our city. pic.twitter.com/Cp8YCxINHK
— Congressmember Bass (@RepKarenBass) July 10, 2022

One highlight of South L.A. CicLAvias is the participation of the area’s many bike clubs cruising on their customized bikes.

xxx — Joe Ayala, left, is riding a diamond tube JP Bombita designed by Los Ryderz’ founder and president Javier “J.P.” Partida. He is riding alongside internationally renowned bike builder and welder Art Ramírez (center), who is on one of his own unique creations. Several years ago Ramírez and Partida joined forces to put their customized spin on bike culture while serving disadvantaged youth in the Watts area. See earlier SBLA coverage of how that collaboration was born.

xxx — Tyrone “Tmoney” Williams of the South L.A. Real Rydaz is always the center of attention. Though his bikes are constantly evolving, there’s no mistaking a T’s Kustom creation. Get a closer look at the pink low-rider to his left (also his creation) on his Facebook page.

CicLAviaWestern04 — Cruising with custom chrome.

xxx — People for Mobility Justice spread music and good cheer from Baba’s Vegan Cafe. The brick-and-mortar establishment, founded by Wo’se Kofi and his partner, Lauren “Anu” Wolley Ross, is the manifestation of years and years Kofi spent pounding the pavement as the vegan Pattyman and catering for events all around the community. The café finally opened its doors at the end of 2021.

xxx — It’s not all cyclists – rollerblading couple holding hands at CicLAvia on Western Avenue at Slauson.

xxx — Metro Bike Share made rental bikes available at CicLAvia

xxx — A pair of bananas spotted at CicLAvia

xxx — Heavy traffic and high speeds usually conspire to make Western one of L.A.’s more uncomfortable streets to bike on. Not yesterday.

CicLAvia will return on Sunday, August 21, on a route that includes East Hollywood, Hollywood, and West Hollywood.

Did you participate in yesterday’s event? How was your day? Tell us in the comments below.

Joe Linton

CicLAvia | Karen Bass | Marqueece Harris-Dawson | Open Streets | South LA

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