CicloSDias
San Diego’s only open-streets celebration returns, this time to North Park. The San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, an organization advocating for the rights of bicycle riders, hosts its fourth event to give communities a break from the usual stress of car traffic, promote local business, and encourage people to experience the neighborhood sans cars.
Select streets in North Park, Normal Heights, and City Heights will close to automobiles and open for everyone to roll, skate, bike, or stroll along a course highlighting the heart of North Park’s business community. The route begins at Hamilton Street and branches off along parts of 30th Street, Adams Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, and University Avenue for a total of three miles.
According to executive director Andy Hanshaw, CicloSDias is much more than a street fair — it’s a chance to experience our communities, small businesses, and neighbors in a refreshing and enjoyable way.
“Participants in past have described CicloSDias as the day they fall back in love with their neighborhood,” says Hanshaw. “For one day, we want people of San Diego to rediscover the nooks and crannies that make North Park a hub for local shopping and remember how carefree life can be outside of the car. CicloSDias is for everyone.”
The first CicloSDias brought nearly 10,000 San Diegans out of their cars and into the street on August 11, 2013 for a 5.2-mile route through Golden Hill, North Park, and South Park. The following two CicloSDias events continued the momentum, hosting 12,000-15,000 people in Pacific Beach and Hillcrest.
At previous celebrations, everything from four-person bicycles to roller derby teams made an appearance as streets came to life and local businesses — and local bike racks — overflowed. The Bike Coalition welcomes anyone outside of a car to join the casual neighborhood celebration.