After pandemic halt, CicLAvia is back in the saddle

CicLAvia, the bike festival on open streets, is returning to Los Angeles County after a pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first events will take place Aug. 15 in Wilmington, Oct. 10 in downtown Los Angeles and Dec. 5 in South Los Angeles, the nonprofit that runs the events announced. Exact routes have not been released.

“With the state now open, Angelenos are eager to return to some of the enjoyable and memorable activities and routines we’ve been missing for the past year, while hopefully maintaining slower streets, outdoor dining and cleaner air,” Romel Pascual, CicLAvia’s executive director, said in a statement.

CicLAvia events have been held in L.A. since October 2010, when more than 100,000 people visited open streets that spanned from East Hollywood to Boyle Heights. During the festivals, modeled after a car-free event held every Sunday in Bogota, Colombia, stretches of streets are shut down to vehicle traffic, and people are invited to bike, walk and skate there instead.

The pandemic forced the cancellation of five CicLAvia events in 2020.

“The return of CicLAvia is a bright light as we slowly recover together as a city,” Seleta Reynolds, general manager of the L.A. Department of Transportation, said in a statement. “Our streets and public spaces should be places of joy and connection for communities.”

Organizers say they take care to locate the routes near public transit so everyone can participate.

The events are intended to promote a clean environment and good health while encouraging residents to explore their city in new ways.