On April 21, thousands of cyclists, skaters and walkers will make the 15-mile trek from the Pacific Ocean to downtown Los Angeles during CicLAvia.
“CicLAvia has revolutionized the streets of Los Angeles. It’s given people the chance to discover a car-dependent culture in a new light: one where people can enjoy the vast network of streets as a playground, exercise area and social space,” said Meghan Sahli-Wells, Culver City Councilwoman.
In its fifth year, CicLAvia will make the streets of Los Angeles safe for people to walk, bike and skate.
“This is huge for the entire city of Culver City. Visually this CicLAvia connects downtown Los Angeles to the ocean. Culver City is the midway hub, emphasizing the central locale of Culver City in the West Los Angeles basin,” said Seth Horowitz, general manager of the Culver Hotel.
Ciclovías started in Bogotá, Colombia, more than 30 years ago as a response to the congestion and pollution of city streets. Now they happen throughout Latin America and the United States.
“With all the traffic and congestion in Los Angeles, this is a great way to help the environment. I participated for the last three years and I highly recommend it,” said Culver City resident Melissa Earl.
Ciclovías bring families outside of their homes and into the streets and largest public spaces.
“With my family, I’ve participated in all five events since CicLAvia’s inception on Oct. 10, 2010 and we discovered facets of Los Angeles we had never before seen. I’m incredibly excited Culver City is included in the route on April 21,” said Sahli-Wells.
The pathway is centered in downtown Los Angeles, and branches out to Chinatown, Boyle Heights, South L.A. and MacArthur Park/Westlake.
“Culver City is so accessible and with the coverage this event will get, this will be amplified to many people who were not aware of this fact. Previous events have had about 100K participants, and we believe this one will have more. If we get just of them, about 10,000 people will stop off in Culver City and enjoy what we have in downtown,” said Horowitz.
The Culver City route will run along the north side of Venice Boulevard. Parcel B, located in front of the Culver Studios, will be turned into a central hub for participants. Participating cyclists, skaters and walkers can stop for lunch or beverages before continuing.
“This will be a great opportunity for Culver City to show off its downtown, and we expect local restaurants and businesses to benefit from a huge influx of new customers who may never have visited our downtown before,” said Chamber President and CEO Steven J. Rose.
The city of Culver City and the Downtown Business Association are co-sponsors of the hub stop in Culver City.
“With substantial support and enthusiasm from Culver City businesses and residents, the Culver City Council voted to make CicLAvia an official city-sponsored event, and is dedicating officers and traffic measures necessary to make it a successful and safe event,” said Sahli-Wells.
“The Downtown Business Association will have a comprehensive map of all the participating restaurants and other venue’s open on the day,” said Horowitz.
There will be a large balloon arc announcing Culver City’s hub to the participants.
“Residents should know that car traffic will be slow in downtown Culver City and along Venice Blvd. The westbound side of Venice will be closed to cars, and we can expect some traffic to be diverted onto Washington and Culver,” said Sahli-Wells.
There will be a bike valet on Parcel B for participants to safely leave their bikes and take a break.
“The Culver Hotel will have a themed band playing on our patio. Our staff will be outfitted in 1920s era costumes. We hope to have a penny-farthing bike on display,” said Horowitz.
Porto-potties will be situated on Parcel B for the bikers’ convenience. Live music and street artists will perform at various locations throughout the downtown area.
“The members of the DBA, the city of Culver City and Sony have raised the funds to pay CicLAvia to put on the hub in downtown Culver City. This is going to be a wonderful day for everybody,” said Horowitz.
Sony Pictures Entertainment has committed to a $10,000 matching grant on the contribution collected from local businesses.
“It’s a great opportunity to get out of the car, and join in the fun on foot, bike, scooter, stroller or wheelchair. It will give visitors the chance to discover our city, and our many restaurants, much the way I’ve discovered L.A. during past CicLAvias,” said Sahli-Wells.
Local businesses and residents may contribute to this event is by visiting www.ciclavia.org. Note that your contribution is for the Culver City hub.
