CicLAvia–Meet the Hollywoods–brought an open street event that connected the City of West Hollywood and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Hollywood and East Hollywood with a care-free space for everyone to enjoy. Community members from the Greater Los Angeles Area were invited to ride, walk, bike, roll, or stroll along the area’s most iconic streets. The event ran from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, August 21, 2022.
CicLAVia Meet the Hollywoods – Open Street Event – Photo by Paulo Murillo for WEHO TIMES
CicLAVia Meet the Hollywoods – Open Street Event – Photo by Mike Pingel for WEHO TIMESThe event in the West Hollywood city boundaries closed Santa Monica Boulevard from N. La Brea Avenue to N. San Vicente Boulevard to vehicle traffic, allowing thousands of cyclists to fill the streets. Community members hit the world famous route 66 to enjoy the open road. Children and pets companions were part of the fun. There were costumes, and eye-catching custom-made unmotorized vehicles and lots of music blaring from boomboxes in both directions.
CicLAVia Meet the Hollywoods – Open Street Event – Photo by Paulo Murillo for WEHO TIMES
CicLAVia Meet the Hollywoods – Open Street Event – Photo by Paulo Murillo for WEHO TIMESThe West Hollywood City Council joined the Los Angeles City Council and State dignitaries for opening statements on at a kick-off press event a 8:30 a.m. at 8791 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood near the intersection of Santa Monica Blvd and Palm Ave.
WeHo Council members were later seen on the streets participating in the event. Mayor Lauren Meister was spotted taking a stroll on Santa Monica Boulevard. Mayor Pro-Tem Sepi Shyne was out on her bike with council member hopeful, Zekiah Wright. Council members Lindsey Horvath and John D’Amico were together on foot. And council member John Erickson rode his E-Bike from West Hollywood to Vermont and back.
“It’s a huge success,” said council member Erickson at the event. “The streets are filled with bikers, walkers, skateboarders and people are just enjoying the day from West Hollywood to Hollywood… it’s so nice to be in the street and enjoying it and not having to worry about anything.”
CicLAVia Meet the Hollywoods – Open Street Event – Photo by Paulo Murillo for WEHO TIMESActivities at the open street event included, shops, eateries, swag, and activities along the route. There were hubs throughout the offering free water stations, First Aid stations, bike parking, free pedicabs – provided by AARP Los Angeles, bike repairs and more.
The Metro Bike Share tents at the West Hollywood Hub offered information about the bike share program. Bikes were available to rent on a on a first-come, first-served basis at the tent.
CicLAVia Meet the Hollywoods – Open Street Event – Photo by Mike Pingel for WEHO TIMES
CicLAVia Meet the Hollywoods – Open Street Event – Photo by Mike Pingel for WEHO TIMES
CicLAvia is a nonprofit organization that catalyzes vibrant public spaces, active transportation, and good health through car-free streets. CicLAvia engages with people to transform our relationship with our communities and with each other. Inspired by Bogotá’s weekly ciclovía, CicLAvia temporarily closes streets to car traffic and opens them to Angelenos to use as a public park. Free for all, CicLAvia connects communities to each other across an expansive city, creating a safe place to bike, walk, skate, roll, and dance through Los Angeles County. 1.6 million people have experienced CicLAvia; it is the biggest open streets event in the United States.
For additional information about CicLAvia 2022 — Meet the Hollywoods, please visit www.ciclavia.org/hollywood22. For general information about CicLAvia, please visit www.ciclavia.org.
