Our History


The story of how CicLAvia has come to be the largest event of its kind in the United States & a leader in the global open streets movement.

History

CicLAvia started as a grassroots initiative in 2008 as the outgrowth of discussions held by a number of individuals who recognized that open streets events could address active transportation, urban land use, and public health needs in Los Angeles. Inspired by the ciclovía events that started 50 years ago in Bogotá, Colombia, the first CicLAvia was held on October 10, 2010. Fourteen years and 55 CicLAvias later, more than 1.8 million people have explored nearly 319 miles of open streets in Los Angeles County. 

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CicLAvia is a 501(c)3 non-profit that catalyzes vibrant public spaces, active transportation, and good health through car-free streets. CicLAvia engages with people to transform our relationship with our communities and with each other.

Inspired by Bogotá’s weekly ciclovía, CicLAvia temporarily closes streets to car traffic and opens them to Angelenos to use as a public park. Free for all, CicLAvia connects communities to each other across an expansive city, creating a safe place to bike, walk, skate, roll, and dance through Los Angeles County.

CONNECT

  • Over 1.8 million people have experienced CicLAvia. It's the biggest open streets event in the United States!
  • Participants represent 80% of the population of Los Angeles County.
  • CicLAvia has created over 319 miles of open streets.

COMMUNITY

  • CicLAvia has been opening streets across Los Angeles County since 2010. We've traversed over 319 miles across Arleta, Boyle Heights, Chinatown, Culver City, East LA, Echo Park, Hollywood, Koreatown, Historic Downtown LA, Lincoln Heights, Little Tokyo, MacArthur Park, Mar Vista, Pacoima, Panorama City, Pasadena, the San Fernando Valley, Southeast cities, South LA, Thai Town, Venice, West Hollywood, Wilshire Boulevard, and more.
  • In 2024, CicLAvia is returning with many more open street events.
  • CicLAvia has five times more people using its temporary park space during event days than are using all of the other parks in the city of Los Angeles combined.

CHANGE

  • CicLAvia has impacted local and regional transportation policy related to pedestrians and bikes.
  • CicLAvia improves air quality by reducing ultrafine particles in the air by over 20 percent.