Courtesy photo
By Darlene Donloe
Contributing Writer
WEST ADAMS — The CicLAvia season begins for the 15th year Feb. 23 with a new route — West Adams Meets University Park.
The car-free event takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. along Jefferson Boulevard between La Brea and Vermont avenues and then south on Vermont to Exposition Boulevard.
Like all CicLAvia events, participants can bike, skate, run or walk through the designated streets during that time.
“This is the first time we are officially in the West Adams area,” said Tafarai Bayne, CicLAvia chief strategist. “West Adams is one of L.A.’s oldest neighborhoods with many long-term residents and single-family homes. Residents have been excited about the event coming to the neighborhood.”
Participants of all ages and abilities can play, explore local sites and sightsee while experiencing the joy of people-powered transportation on car-free open streets. CicLAvia events range from 1 to 7.5 miles and are held in different neighborhoods around Los Angeles.
Participants can show up anywhere along the route at any time. Hubs have restrooms, free water refilling stations, free basic bike repair, bike parking and first aid. In addition, free pedicab rides are available at each information booth.
Every route highlights places in the neighborhood, from eateries to cultural institutions to mom-and-pop shops.
Instead of building permanent infrastructure, CicLAvia connects culturally diverse neighborhoods and neighbors through open streets.
Inspired by Bogotá, Colombia’s weekly ciclovía, CicLAvia has temporarily closed streets to car traffic and opened them as public parks in Los Angeles since 2010.
Only people-powered vehicles are allowed. No electric scooters, skateboards, hoverboards, unicycles, motorcycles or other non-people-powered vehicles are allowed. Class 1 e-bike pedal assist are allowed. Class 2 e-bikes are allowed when the throttle is powered off. Class 3 e-bikes are allowed when the pedal-assist is powered off. Motorized wheelchairs are allowed.
More than just an open streets movement, CicLAvia helps communities reimagine a greener and cleaner Los Angeles while promoting equitable transportation options, healthier lifestyles, and closer connections to the community.
Participants can expect activities like self-guided walking tours, scavenger hunts, street games, local business engagements and art and cultural activities for all ages.
The West Adams and University Park routes were chosen because both have scenic views and are vibrant neighborhoods with a strong sense of community. The neighborhoods are culturally diverse, with a mix of African American, Latino and Asian communities, reflecting the broader cultural tapestry of Los Angeles.
West Adams is a traditionally rich and historic neighborhood that has significantly impacted the city’s development and identity. The area has been a hub for African American culture and community since the early 20th century. It was one of the few neighborhoods in Los Angeles where African Americans could own homes and businesses during the era of racial segregation.
From the 1920s to the 1950s, West Adams was a key location for jazz and blues music. The neighborhood was home to many legendary musicians, including Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong, who performed at local venues like the Dunbar Hotel.
The neighborhood was one of the few areas in Los Angeles where people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds could live together and interact.
Today West Adams is home to a thriving arts scene, with numerous galleries, studios and performance venues. The neighborhood hosts various cultural events, including the West Adams Heritage Festival.
The area features a stunning collection of historic homes, including Victorian Craftsman and Art Deco styles. The neighborhood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the largest historic districts in the United States.
The route is easily accessible by public transportation, and several E Line stations are nearby, making it convenient for participants to arrive without cars. It passes through commercial corridors, showcasing local businesses, restaurants, and shops which will benefit from increased foot traffic.
“For 15 years, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation’s partnership with CicLAvia has unlocked the potential of our streets and turned them into neighborhood celebrations,” said department General Manager Laura Rubio-Cornejo. “We look forward to hitting the streets from West Adams to University Park with another great event that allows Angelenos and visitors to walk, bike, and roll through vibrant communities, meet up with friends, and support local businesses.”
CicLAvia Executive Director Romel Pascual said his organization is “excited to start our 2025 season with new CicLAvia routes in West Adams and Pico Union.”
“The diversity of the community and small businesses remind us of what makes CicLAvia special, impactful and so popular,” he said. “We will see eight CicLAvia open streets events in 2025, and we are thrilled to celebrate L.A. alongside our dynamic communities.
“Our work at CicLAvia also relies on our coalition of supporters, which includes foundations, individual donors, community organizations, and companies who share the vision of safe, diverse, and inclusive open streets,” Pascual added.
Along the route, participants will pass by historic landmarks like the University of Southern California and the West Adams Heritage Association, highlighting the area’s rich cultural heritage.
Bayne said the West Adams and University Park route offers a unique blend of community engagement, accessibility, cultural significance and scenic views, making it an excellent choice for CicLAvia.
“Many things go into our route selections,” said Bayne, who has worked on urban development and planning issues for over 20 years. “Adams has big hills. It’s not the flattest corridor. We try to get as flat as possible. There are business corridors. In areas like that, the event impact is greater. We try to find routes with the best strips of small businesses. There are more residential stretches in the West Adams area.”
Bayne, 42, a strategic advisor with Destination Crenshaw who consults as an event producer for Community Coalition, said CicLAvia remains popular because of its simple concept.
“It’s simple but complicated doing something like CicLAvia in the city,” said Bayne, a Los Angeles native. “It provides safe spaces to ride your bike, which is hard to find. It’s popular because you can grab your wheels and get there. It opens up our city. People can make connections and meet new friends in this simple space. It means so many things to so many different people. CicLAvia is an important commodity.”
The CicLAvia 2025 schedule includes Koreatown Meets Hollywood April 6, CicLAmini Pico Union May 18, Historic South L.A. Meets Watts June 22, Culver City Meets Venice Aug. 17, CicLAmini San Pedro Sept 14, Heart of LA Oct. 12 and Melrose Avenue Dec. 7.
Darlene Donloe is a freelance reporter for Wave Newspapers who covers South Los Angeles. She can be reached at ddonloe@gmail.com.
