Stories

As Angelenos find more active ways to get around the city without a car, people show up to CicLAvia events with a wider array of vehicles. So what’s allowed?

Public parks, iconic buildings, street art, and hidden bike routes thrive in the open space of the San Fernando Valley, and many are accessible from the CicLAvia—The Valley route. Neighborhood locals and visitors to Canoga Park, Winnetka, and Reseda may find something new in the area.

How city streets are designed informs people how they should use them. What messages are Los Angeles roadways sending?

That was the question thought leaders from public, private, and non-profit sectors grappled with at the first-of-its-kind “CivSalon: Who Do LA Streets Serve?” held on October 22. Moderated by Curbed LA’s Alissa Walker, panelists addressed the tension point between streets’ historic commitment to serving cars and the growing need for access to multi-modal and active transportation.

“The Heart of LA’s 6-mile route goes through eight neighborhoods: MacArthur Park, Westlake, Civic Center, Pico Union, Little Tokyo, the Arts District, Boyle Heights and Chinatown. That’s the beauty of Los Angeles. Our neighborhoods are so diverse and so close.” – Romel Pascual, CicLAvia Executive Director

This was the 33rd CicLAvia event since its inception in October 2010, and once again, the cyclists, skaters & skateboards, runners and pedestrians who participated felt that Los Angeles is both larger and yet more close-knit than they may have thought before.

As the University of California Los Angeles turns 100, the school will return to its historic downtown roots for CicLAvia—Heart of LA Celebrating UCLA100 on October 6. Riders, walkers, skaters and more will join the UCLA community in activities, games, Instagram ops, and techie surprises.

Food, art, architecture, and numerous LA landmarks dot the 6 mile CicLAvia—Heart of LA Celebrating UCLA100 route. You’ll find points of interest everywhere, but we’re highlighting a select few that you won’t want to miss.

CicLAvia—Meet the Hollywoods was our first foray into many parts of West Hollywood, Hollywood, East Hollywood, Thai Town, and Little Armenia. We invited first-time communities and participants into the car-free streets, and countless Angelenos explored neighborhoods they may have never truly experienced before.

Close out August and welcome September with fun things to do that won’t break the bank. Here is a list of free events happening across LA County over the next two weeks. 

Keep the good times rolling this week after Sunday’s epic CicLAvia. From a public concert in Santa Monica to an end-of-summer block party in Beverly Hills, here are some fun, free events to help you continue riding high.

CicLAvia—Meet the Hollywoods is on Sunday, August 18, and the days leading up to it are full of other free things to do. From a yoga class in Pasadena to an art tour around Beverly Hills and an art workshop in DTLA, there’s loads of fun this week as we cruise into CicLAvia Sunday.