Yesterday's light rain didn't stop CicLAvia South L.A. from opening Central Avenue, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and 103rd Street. Attendance was perhaps a little lighter than clear sky CicLAvia events. Nonetheless, tens of thousands of Angelenos took to biking, walking, jogging, skating, horseback riding, and more - on 7.25 miles of car-free streets.
The route featured connections to historic and current South L.A. landmarks from the Watts Towers to the Dunbar Hotel to Exposition Park. Activity hubs showcased community groups, municipal agencies, and elected officials working to improve the quality of life for South L.A. residents.
CicLAvia along Central Avenue's Dunbar Hotel, long a fixture of L.A. jazzxxx
CicLAvia cyclists along Exposition Park's Banc of California Stadiumxxx
The Tobin Riders take Central Avenuexxx
K-9, Founder and President of the World Riders, stands with some of the club's steedsxxx
One CicLAvia participant using an umbrella to stave off the afternoon's light rainxxx
Cyclists of all ages enjoyed CicLAviaxxx
Cyclists with mobile CicLAvia route signagexxx
Frederick Buggs Sr. (in yellow, center) socializes on Central Avenue while lounging on bike he likely built himself. Behind him is a crossing that got a relatively recent upgrade. This section of Central, just south of Manchester, is wide, poorly lit at night, and can be a dangerous speedway.xxx
CicLAvia operates free pedicabsxxx
Readers - how was your experience at yesterday's CicLAvia South L.A.?
CicLAvia recently announced that they are planning to host eight events in 2023. Dates and routes are coming soon.
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.
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