Imagine – LA’s major thoroughfares wide open and car-free. Bikers glide through greenlit intersections while parents stroll their babies along the streets with little worry; toddlers pedal their trikes furiously on the pavement instead of the sidewalks. It may seem like only a dream, but this dream comes true several times per year in Los Angeles.
We recently experienced the last CicLAvia of 2017, a trip down iconic Wilshire Boulevard. This 8-mile route extends from between Western in Koreatown and Fourth Street downtown, with MacArthur Park marking the mid-way point. With 6- and 7-year-olds, we easily made it from Western to MacArthur Park where we stopped for a snack and took advantage of the play structures.
All of the cross streets are blocked off so no need for bikers to stop at any lights or stop signs. However, there are a few main intersections that open intermittently for cars to pass. At these lights, police officers are there to halt bike traffic and make sure cars are stopped before opening up the bike route again.
Non-motorized traffic flows in both directions, so bikers of all levels will find plenty of space to ride. There is no race involved, and pedestrians are welcome, too!
CicLAvia takes place on Sunday, but many stores and cafes along the route that would normally be closed open up to take advantage of all the business. Additionally, food trucks hang out along the route, particularly at the mid-way point.
Metro sponsors the event and offers pop-up bike rental tents at each end of the route, in case you need to rent a bike.
If you bring your own bikes, consider taking a Metro train to the stop nearest on of the ends of the route. It’s important to plan the parking/ getting there part of your trip well, particularly if you have kids in tow, because with many streets blocked off, parking can be difficult. If you do drive to the route and plan to go the entire distance, consider taking two cars, parking one at each end of the route. Or there’s the option of driving to the route and taking the metro back to your car.
With younger kids, it probably won’t be about going the distance but instead about experiencing the rare beauty of LA with no traffic, no fumes and no honks!
The details:
Time: 9am – 3pm, several Sundays throughout the year
Good for: Kids 4+
Watch out for: Traffic on the side streets (on your way to or from the main bike route); Streets reopen promptly at 4 pm
Get there: Varies, depending on location
Bring: Bike locks, helmet, tire pump, bike tools, water, snacks, cash/card, Metro card
For info and upcoming events, visit:
The distance from LA to Ojai used to be described as “one CD away.” These days, I’m not sure what that would be in iTunes language, but usually you can bet on an hour and fifteen minutes to get to there. The town of Ojai is enchanting, with mission-style buildings draped with bougainvillea and the scent of sage floating in the air.
littleadventuresla.com 