CicLAvia—Heart of LA

October 07, 2012 at 10:00 AM

CicLAvia—Heart of LA

On Sunday, October 7, we're opening up 10 miles of streets connecting Boyle Heights, DTLA, MacArthur Park, Chinatown, Expo Park, Little Tokyo, and Civic Center/Historic Core so you can jog, ride, bike, skate, run, walk, skateboard, spectate, and enjoy the route however you want. Our routes are welcoming to people of all ages and abilities!

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New to CicLAvia?

Here are some things to know before you go:

  • CicLAvia is FREE!
  • CicLAvia lasts from 10am to 3pm.
  • CicLAvia closes streets to car traffic and opens them for people to walk, skate, bike, play, and explore parts of Los Angeles County.
  • CicLAvia is not a race! There's no starting point or finish line—begin where you like and enjoy the day your way.
  • CicLAvia traffic flows in two directions, just like regular traffic. Check out more rules of the route.
  • As a general rule of thumb, only people-powered vehicles are allowed, with exceptions for persons with disabilities. That means we do not allow electric scooters, skateboards, hoverboards, unicycles, motorcycles and other non-people-powered vehicles, but we do allow motorized wheelchairs and related vehicles for people with disabilities. We want to make sure that everyone can enjoy our route.
  • Are e-bikes allowed? Class 1 e-bike pedal-assist allowed. Class 2 e-bikes allowed when throttle is powered off. Class 3 e-bikes allowed when pedal-assist is powered off. Learn more here. General rule of thumb: if you're pedaling (and not riding), you're clear.
  • As consideration for being allowed to participate in a CicLAvia, all participants are deemed to have released from liability and waived any right to sue its organizers, their employees, officers, volunteers and agents from any and all claims, including claims of negligence, resulting in any physical injury, illness (including death) or economic loss suffered as a result of participating in this CicLAvia.
  • By participating in a CicLAvia event, each participant understands that there are risks, such as physical and/or psychological injury, pain, suffering, illness, disfigurement, temporary or permanent disability, death or economic loss. These injuries or outcomes may arise from a participant’s or other’s actions, inactions, or negligence, or the condition of the location (s) or facility (ies). Nonetheless, participants assume all known and unknown risks of participation in CicLAvia.

Questions or Concerns

For general event information please email us or call 213.355.8500.

For concerns regarding the Los Angeles street closure permit, contact LA Bureau of Street Services, Investigation, and Enforcement Division, Special Events at 213.847.6000.

Rentals

Want to ride a bike, rollerblade, or skateboard at CicLAvia, but don't own your own equipment? Not a problem! Below is a list of some bike and skate shops throughout the county that offer rentals. We are constantly updating our this list. So, if you notice that we're missing anything, know of a shop that rents bikes, or one you'd like to see listed, let us know. 

Please remember, bikes are not required to participate in CicLAvia! You can walk, run, skate, scoot, take a pedicab or rollerblade. Anything that is people-powered is allowed. If you decide to rent, be sure to call ahead and pay for your reservation in advance, as rentals have been known to sell out on CicLAvia Sundays.

CicLAvia–South LA Bike rentals on December 3rd:

CicLAvia has partnered with Unlimited Biking to provide on site bike rentals on 12/3 with pick up and drop off at the Expo Park Hub! You can reserve a bike in advance here for 2-hour, 4-hour, or entire day time slots. A limited number of bikes will be available to rent at the Expo Park Hub on a first come, first served basis. Helmet rental is complementary. 
Metro Bike Share will also have a pop up bike station at the Leimert Park Hub with rentals available on a first come basis.

Los Angeles Rentals by Neighborhood

List of shops that offer rentals, sorted alphabetically by neighborhood.

Beverly Hills / West Hollywood

Culver City

Downtown / Central LA

  • Coco’s Variety Store | 2427 Riverside Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90039 | 323.664.7400
  • DTLA Bikes | 425 S Broadway (at 4th), Los Angeles, CA 90013 | 213.533.8000
    • Offers a fleet of more than 200 bikes that are ready to ride
    • Also offers helmets
  • Just Ride Los Angeles | 1626 S Hill St (at Venice Blvd), Los Angeles, CA 90015 | 213.745.6783
    • In order to ensure availability, please reserve up to 3 days in advance
    • Also offers locks and helmets
  • LA Golden Bicycles | 40001 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90010 | 213.739.9911
  • Ride on Bike Shop/Co-op | 4319 Degnan Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90008 | 323.903.5043

Foothills

  • Incycle | 501 W Arrow Hwy, San Dimas, CA 91773 | 909.592.2181 

Glendale / Atwater Village

Long Beach / San Pedro

  • Pedal Movement | 223 E 1st St, Long Beach, CA 90802 | 562.436.2453 
  • Wheel Fun Rentals | 429 Shoreline Village Dr, Ste G, Long Beach, CA 90802 | 562.951.3857

Marina Del Ray

San Fernando Valley

  • Retro Xpress Bicycles | 14508 Victory Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91401 | 818.200.9463
  • Trek Bicycle Westlake Village | 3835 E Thousand Oaks Blvd, Unit K
    Westlake Village, CA 91362 | 805.251.0946
  • Wheel Fun Rentals | 6300 Balboa Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91316 | 818.212.4263
    • A wide range of bikes are available including cruisers, choppers, tandems, and surreys

San Gabriel Valley

  • Incycle | 175 S Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105 | 626.577.0440
  • Velo Pasadena Inc | 2562 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107 | 626.304.0064

Santa Monica

Venice

West LA

  • UCLA Bike Shop | 2131 John Wooden Ctr, Los Angeles, CA 90095 | 310.206.7219

Bike Delivery

  • Synaptic Cycles | Los Angeles road bike rentals, delivered to your door for free | 949.484.6409

How to Participate

CicLAvia provides an opportunity to connect with Angelenos and communities throughout Los Angeles County in an entirely new way.

Participants are invited to walk, bike, skate, run, and enjoy the open streets on select Sundays! CicLAvia works hard to provide a safe and secure environment for all participants. By familiarizing yourself with the following information, you can help make CicLAvia a great event for everyone.

As consideration for being allowed to participate in a CicLAvia, all participants are deemed to have released from liability and waived any right to sue its organizers, their employees, officers, volunteers and agents from any and all claims, including claims of negligence, resulting in any physical injury, illness (including death) or economic loss suffered as a result of participating in this CicLAvia.

By participating in a CicLAvia event, each participant understands that there are risks, such as physical and/or psychological injury, pain, suffering, illness, disfigurement, temporary or permanent disability, death or economic loss. These injuries or outcomes may arise from a participant’s or other’s actions, inactions, or negligence, or the condition of the location (s) or facility (ies). Nonetheless, participants assume all known and unknown risks of participation in CicLAvia.

The Basics

  • CicLAvia is FREE!
  • CicLAvia lasts from 9am to 4pm* (*February and December routes end at 3pm due to Daylight Savings Time)
  • CicLAvia closes streets to car traffic and opens them for people to walk, skate, bike, play, and explore parts of Los Angeles County.
  • CicLAvia is not a race! There's no starting point or finish line—begin where you like and enjoy the day your way.
  • CicLAvia traffic flows in two directions, just like regular traffic. Check out more rules of the route.

Timing Your Trip

CicLAvia lasts from 9am–4pm* (*February and December routes end at 3pm due to Daylight Savings Time)

Please budget your time accordingly. Make sure you return to your point of origin or final destination by 4pm to avoid car traffic when the route reopens. 

Share the Road

Cars are not allowed at CicLAvia, but any other form of non-motorized transportation is. Be aware of how people around you are traveling—biking, walking, skating, etc.—and respect their right to the road.

Monitored Intersections

Police, transit officers, and volunteers will be at crossing intersections to monitor the flow of participant and car traffic. Riders and pedestrians must stop at car and pedestrian intersections when told to do so.

Speed

Please monitor your speed going downhill. Also, stay within the speed of the flow of traffic when it is too congested to pass.

Dismounts

There are often mandatory dismount locations. There will be signs at the dismount locations and volunteers instructing riders to dismount. 

What To Bring

  • Helmet: We highly recommend that everyone planning to come on a bike, scooter, skateboard, rollerblades, skates, and other wheeled forms of people-powered mobility wear a helmet at CicLAvia. Don’t worry- we are big fans of helmet hair. Helmets are required by California law for all kids under 18 if they are on a bike, scooter, skateboard, skates, or other types of geared or wheeled transportation.
  • Water bottle: Bring a reusable water bottle. We offer water refill stations at each Hub.
  • Sun protection: Bring your favorite hat and apply sunscreen.

Biking with Children

Our friends at REI have a comprehensive information and video page about biking with children. Please take the time to review this information if you plan to enjoy CicLAvia with children. 

Experienced Riders Recommended

CicLAvia is not an ideal place to teach a child, or an adult, how to ride due to the heavy flow of bike, board, and pedestrian traffic. While we encourage participants of all ages and skill levels, we strongly suggest that children and all participants learn the basics of bike riding before participating in the event route.

At CicLAvia, the Safety and Well-Being of our Participants is our Primary Concern

We work closely with local authorities to provide as safe and secure an environment as possible. We also partner with other local agencies that provide additional security elements along the route and at public transit locations.

Law Enforcement and Emergency Personnel

The Los Angeles Police Department provides a strong security presence at CicLAvia. In addition, there are emergency medical technicians stationed at each Hub, and other response personnel is available along the route.

In case of an accident, go to the nearest Hub to report it to a staff member. If you are between Hubs, look for the nearest uniformed officer, responder, or event staff member.

If you notice any suspicious activity or a suspicious package, immediately report it to the nearest staff member or uniformed officer.

Contact Staff and Volunteers

Staff can be identified by the t-shirt that says STAFF on the back. Volunteers can be identified by the t-shirt that says VOLUNTEER on the back. 

Staff members and volunteers can assist you in finding the answers to questions and help find the right person to respond to emergencies. If you are missing a member of your party, have been in a minor accident, or have been part of an incident, please contact staff at the nearest Hub. This is often the fastest way to ensure police officers or emergency personnel respond to the situation rapidly and effectively.

*February and December routes end at 3pm due to Daylight Savings Time

Rain or Shine

CicLAvia will go on, rain or shine! Here are some things to keep in mind when riding or rolling in wet conditions.

  • Slow down. It’s easier to lose traction, especially in turns, when the road is wet. Avoid sharp turns and high speed turns so your bike won’t slide out from under you.

  • Skidding is more likely when the road is wet. Modulate your braking to avoid a skid.

  • Give yourself extra time and distance to stop.

  • Rim brake users, remember your rims are wet so it takes a little longer for your brake pads to catch. Pumping your brakes will help.

  • Be more cautious on (or avoid) surfaces that are extra slippery when wet. Such surfaces may include metal plates, manhole covers, train tracks, storm grates, and street “paint”.

  • Avoid riding through standing water or piles of wet leaves, which might conceal road defects.

  • Visibility is reduced when it’s raining. Wear bright, reflective clothing and use front and rear lights to help you see and be seen (even during the day).

Tips provided by our friends at The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition.
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