Stories

September had plenty of change and excitement in the world of open streets, transportation and environment. Here’s this month’s Word on the Street:

September 9, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOS ANGELES – Following an extensive search, the CicLAvia board of directors has found the organization’s new Executive Director from within their own ranks. CicLAvia, which produces the largest open streets events in North America, is pleased to announce that Romel Pascual will be the organization’s new executive director. Pascual takes over for co-founder and longtime executive director Aaron Paley, who will remain deeply involved in the organization as executive producer.

This weekend marks Labor Day, a day that recognizes the numerous efforts and accomplishments of the workers who make America run. Here at CicLAvia we have a number of people who work hard to make LA’s streets safer for running, walking, biking, skating, using a wheelchair, or pushing a stroller without worrying about cars. We’d like to use today’s post to introduce you to some of the faces behind CicLAvia and let you know what they do to help hundreds of thousands of you enjoy car free streets each year.

Welcome to “Word on the Street”, our new monthly recap of news you should know from the world of open streets, transportation, health, environment and everything else CicLAvia fans may find of interest!

Los Angeles is heading into yet another heatwave for the next few days. For those of us who travel to work without a car, hot summer temperatures can be discouraging whether you have a 20 mile bike ride or need to walk five blocks to catch the bus. No one likes to show up to work drenched in sweat.

This week, CicLAvia staff and volunteers begin our door-to-door community outreach for the October 18 CicLAvia – Heart of LA route. This is the first of several direct conversations CicLAvia ambassadors will have to engage community members long before CicLAvia takes place.

August 10, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - Fresh off of the tremendously successful CicLAvia – Culver City Meets Venice route which saw tens of thousands of people bike, walk and have fun from downtown Culver City to the Pacific Ocean, CicLAvia is pleased to announce its final route of 2015.

For the first time in two years, CicLAvia is returning to the Westside tomorrow with CicLAvia – Culver City Meets Venice Presented by Metro! We are excited and ready to hit the streets running (or pedaling or rolling).  CicLAvia is a family oriented event that brings the diverse people of Los Angeles County and beyond in a safe environment to connect communities in a positive, happy way.  So if you want to check out the Culver City and Venice area and would like to really get a chance to explore the area in a different light, join us!

This Sunday will be the unique kind of summer day where tens of thousands of happy faces will be enjoying car free streets between Culver City and Venice Beach. The seven hours they spend skating, pedaling, walking, eating and, quite likely with this route, swimming in the Pacific Ocean, is the culmination of well over a year of planning and hundreds, if not thousands, of staff hours put into logistics, outreach and promotion. And the event that is free to participants comes with a price tag that they will never see thanks to the support of local governments, foundations and businesses.

Exploration and discovery are as much a part of CicLAvia as enjoying outdoor activity, exchanging smiles with friends and strangers, and supporting small businesses. It’s extremely gratifying when we hear people say, “I never knew this was here!” as they make their way through new neighborhoods or view their own neighborhoods in a car–free way.