The central or innermost part of something; the heart. The first CicLAvia-Heart of LA was over 10 years ago and connected dozens of LA’s historic locations and sights. Hundreds of miles of open streets later, CicLAvia-Heart of LA has played a key role in showing Angelenos the beauty of the city, outside of a car.
On October 9th, 2022, our 41st event was kicked off by LA’s 42nd Mayor, Eric Garcetti, along with Congressman Jimmy Gomez, Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, Connie Llanos (Acting GM - LADOT), Holly Rockwell (Sr. Executive Office - Metro), Julia Diamond (Interim Director - Grand Park), Romel Pascual (Executive Director - CicLAvia), Aaron Gundzik (Chair of Board - CicLAvia), and Enrique Mutis (Board Member - CicLAvia). Something they all wanted to talk about were the benefits of car-free spaces, as well as how to make the city more pedestrian friendly.
After meeting with our local leaders, we were then graced by the beautiful sounds of Mariachi Alma Juvenil (MAJ), a non-profit after school community program that provides mariachi music education to children and youth.
Gliding through Chinatown, Grand Park, Echo Park, and the newly renovated 6th Street Bridge, we were able to see many of the improvements the city has made towards walkability and bike safety. From 6th St. adding bollards and wider bike lanes, to the Downtown area having multiple Metro Bike Share stations, the city is following our lead and providing more options when it comes to mobility. Being able to cross the 6th St. Bridge, car-free, gave Angelenos the opportunity to soak in the Downtown skyline view at a slower, much needed, pace. The work to create safer streets across Los Angeles is ongoing and we’re proud to play a role.
Meanwhile, our partners were proudly out engaging with the community at all of the Hubs. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory offered photos in front of a deep space backdrop, taken by the James Webb Space Telescope. REI was working hard offering free bike repairs, LA28 had an information booth about the 2028 Olympics being held in LA, and AARP provided free pedicab rides along with their multi-generational playzone at Mariachi Plaza. Grand Park also celebrated their 10 year anniversary and had live performances, music, dancing, art installations, arts and crafts, and special family and children activities all day long.
And just like always, it wasn’t only bikes out and about! We love seeing all the skateboards, roller skaters/bladers, and runners/walkers!
We look forward to seeing you all at our next event! Be sure to set your calendars for CicLAvia - South LA on Sunday, December 4th, from 9 am to 3 pm.
It’s thanks to the incredible support from people like you that we are back on the streets better than ever. Join our CicLAvia Street Stars and make a regular donation in support of open streets in Los Angeles, and get exclusive gifts in return.
Photos: Ryan Duclos, Farah Sosa, Halline Overby, and Jason Williams.
