CicLAvia: Los Angeles will Close 10 Miles of Streets–and Celebrate

Los Angeles will celebrate on October 9 by shutting down ten miles or normally congested streets. Why?  To turn all of this inner city space into a car-free, safe, family-friendly place for exploring the city from a new perspective and at a leisurely pace.  No cars, just bikes, sneakers, stilts, trikes and all manner of non-motorized transport…and dogs are welcome too, (with an adult and leashed!)

It’s called CiCLAvia, and this is the third year they’ve had the nerve to do something as bold as close miles of roads to cars.  Based on the popularity of the past two years, this year’s route will go from East Hollywood to Boyle Heights, stretching south to the African American Firefighter Museum on Central Ave and north to El Pueblo de Los Angeles and Olvera Street, ending at Cesar Chavez Boulevard.

The organization that’s putting it on, CicLAvia, has awarded 13 minigrants to artists, musicians and community organizations to present a wide variety of interactive programming and performances throughout the route.

Dodgeball, anyone?  How about street chess?  CicLAvia is setting up six hubs where they will have free water, portable toilets,  wheelchair accessible restrooms, first-aid stations, guides, and culinary delights.