By Darlene Donloe
Contributing Writer
LINCOLN HEIGHTS — CicLAvia is on the move again.
Known for consuming the open streets of a specific section of Los Angeles with all manner of peddling and foot-forward enthusiasts throughout the year, up next for the popular citywide event is the neighborhood of Lincoln Heights.
This time it’s a CicLAmini, featuring 1.16 miles of open streets along Broadway between Avenue 18 and Lincoln Park Avenue.
It takes place 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 15.
“CicLAminis has been a popular addition to our program,” said CicLAvia Executive Director Romel Pascual. “The Lincoln Heights CicLAmini will be in one of the city’s most historic neighborhoods and will provide an opportunity to connect with vibrant small businesses and cultural gems along the 1.6-mile route. CicLAvia’s 2024 season has been full of joy and connection with our communities and to each other. And CicLAminis, with a slower, more pedestrian-oriented experience, reintroduces us to the things that make our city special.”
During this CicLAmini event for all ages and abilities, the public is invited to enjoy a compact neighborhood route. The event offers walkers, joggers, bikers, roller skaters and those who simply want to play with their favorite people-powered way to enjoy the neighborhood.
One of the businesses along the route is the popular La Morenita on Broadway, located at 2620 N. Broadway. It’s a 60-year-old restaurant known for its enchiladas and chile rellenos.
Julian Reyes, a waiter at the restaurant, is the son-in-law of the owner Alma Valdez.
“We are looking forward to this event,” Reyes said. “This kind of event brings the community closer together. Plus, the public gets to see us. They will know we are here. They aren’t just driving by. This event is more of an opportunity to engage with the public by having them come in and enjoy a meal.”
InnerCity Skateshop store manager Steve Corona feels the same way.
“This is a time for those who don’t know about us — to get to know us,” said Corona who added this is the first time the business will be participating in CicLAvia. “When you’re in your car, you can’t get to know a business because you’re driving by too fast.”
Corona said an event like CicLAvia is a great time for people in the community to get to know each other.
“We have been in this location for a year,” he said. “This is a good time to just be involved. We want people to know we are here in case they want to get into skateboarding. This is a great location. We’re excited for the opportunity to get to know the people in the community.”
InnerCity Skateshop is located at 3532 N. Broadway.
CicLAvia or in this case, CicLAmini-Lincoln Heights participants can just show up anywhere along the route at any time to enjoy the open streets and to take the time to explore what is considered the oldest suburb of Los Angeles.
Lincoln Heights has been at the center of the city’s history for nearly 150 years. First subdivided in 1873 as East Los Angeles, it was carved out of the 17,000-plus acres of the old Spanish pueblo by developers seeking to create a middle-class residential neighborhood.
CicLAmini – Lincoln Heights includes two hubs filled with activities and programs located at each end of the route.
The hubs are walking zones (mandatory bike dismounts) and meeting points featuring activities, street games, local business engagements and art and cultural activities for all ages.
CicLAvia encourages participants to jog, walk, ride, skate and bike along the open space.
Free pedicab rides, sponsored by AARP, are also available next to each information booth to ensure that everyone, regardless of age or ability, can enjoy open streets.
CicLAvia highlights important issues to all Angelenos — from environmental health and air quality improvement to access to safe and open parks and physical and mental well-being.
Over its 13-plus years, CicLAvia has captured the imagination of more than 2 million people who have traveled together along more than 318 miles of streets.
The event builds a unifying social fabric, joyously connecting culturally diverse neighborhoods and neighbors through open streets, Pascual said.
Inspired by Bogotá’s weekly ciclovía, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, CicLAvia has been temporarily closing streets to car traffic and opening them as public parks in Los Angeles since 2010.
CicLAvia car-free streets connect the neighborhoods where Angelenos live, work, shop, learn and play.
Active participants at CicLAvia use people-powered mobility to navigate public streets safely. Along the way there is shopping at local businesses, access to cultural and architectural gems, using open streets as spaces to connect and making a positive impact on the environment by creating a more sustainable and climate-resilient city and region.
CicLAvia has helped communities re-imagine a greener and cleaner Los Angeles, while also promoting equitable transportation options, healthier lifestyles, and closer connections to the community.
Only people-powered vehicles are allowed. No electric scooters, electric skateboards, hoverboards, electric unicycles, motorcycles or other non-people-powered vehicles are allowed at CicLAvia. Class 1 e-bike pedal assists are allowed. Class 2 e-bikes are allowed when the throttle is powered off. Class 3 e-bikes are allowed when pedal-assist is powered off. Motorized wheelchairs are allowed.
Participants assume all known and unknown risks of participation in CicLAvia. More information regarding participants’ rights can be found at: https://www.ciclavia.org/ciclavia-safety
CicLAvia is a nonprofit organization committed to opening streets and introducing Angelenos to the civic and cultural treasures throughout Los Angeles County.
The 2024 CicLAvia Season continues Oct. 13 with CicLAvia–Heart of LA; and concludes Dec. 8 with CicLAvia–The Valley (West Valley).
Darlene Donloe is a freelance reporter for Wave Newspapers who covers South Los Angeles. She can be reached at ddonloe@gmail.com.
