This weekend is one of our family’s favorite events in Los Angeles as CicLAvia shuts down the streets of downtown LA for five glorious hours of pedal power and smiling.
On Sunday, October, 7, 2012, we will be exploring the expanded route and checking out the new spurs to Boyle Heights, Chinatown, and Expo Park.
CicLAvia makes the streets safe for people to walk, skate, play and ride a bike. There are activities along the route. Shop owners and restaurants are encouraged to open their doors to people along the CicLAvia.
Ciclovías started in Bogotá, Colombia, over thirty years ago as a response to the congestion and pollution of city streets. Now they happen throughout Latin America and the United States.
Hints for families. Much as I would love to ditch the car, getting 4 bikes on a crowded train is just too difficult, especially for the children so we park near little Tokyo where it’s flat. It means the home stretch is down hill, with the promise of green-tea ice cream as an incentive!
**Hint for very young cyclists. Most streets slope down at the sides which makes it hard for kids to balance and they end up tangled in trash in the gutter!
Instead put the children towards the middle of the road and have them follow a line, this prevents them from weaving around and suddenly crossing in front of an unsuspecticting adult.
We also have the children ride in front, not only to prevent anyone getting left behind, but also to prevent other cyclists from getting too close, as the kids are prone to riding unpredictably and stopping suddenly.
BICYCLING:
There are a few feeder rides – where groups will meet up and ride together to CicLAvia. (updated 10.03.12)
CULVER CITY – Culver City Bicycle Coalition will be meeting at Media Park at 8:30am and leaving at 9:15am. For more information go to CCBike Website
GRANADA HILLS – A group will be meeting at the Fitness Unlimited Gym on Balboa and Devonshire (16836 Devonshire Street, Granada Hills,) at 7am and riding out 8:30am to meet up with CSUN Bike Collective at the Noho Redline Station. For more information go to Midnight Ridazz Page
MAR VISTA – Bikerowave will be meeting at their shop located at 12255 Venice 
Boulevard, Mar Vista, at 8am and riding at 8:45am. For more information go to FB Event Page
MONTEBELLO – Montebello Bicycle Coalition will be meeting at outside of The Daily Brew 137 N. Montebello Blvd at 9:15am and rolling out at 9:30am to the Atlantic Station to Soto Station. For more information go to FB Event Page
NORTHEAST LA (HIGHLAND PARK) – Flying Pigeon Los Angeles will be meeting at the Flying Pigeon store located at 3404 N. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90065 at 9:30am and riding out a little before 10am. For more information go to FB Event Page or Flying Pigeon Website
NORTHEAST LA (LINCOLN PARK) – Crankheads Cycling Crew will be meeting at Parque de Mexico(Mission/Main/Valley intersection) at 8am and riding at 8:30am. For more information go to FB Event Page
NORTHRIDGE/VAN NUYS/ NOHO – CSUN Bike Collective will be meeting at CSUN Bike Collective 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, California 91325 at 7:30am then meeting up at Van Nuys Orangle Line Station at 8:30am then to NOHO Metro Redline Station. For More Information go to FB Event Page
PASADENA – Arroyo Seco will be leaving at Hahamongna Watershed Park at 8:30am and making their way down Pasadena for a Cyclocross Adventure. For more information and stops along the way go to http://bike.arroyoseco.org/index.htm
SANTA MONICA – Santa Monica Spoke will be meeting at the Santa Monica Pier at 7:30am Riding at 8am. For more information go to FB Event Page
SOUTH L.A. – East Side Riders BC will be meeting at W.L.C.A.C 10950 South Central Ave, Watts, California 90059 at 8:30am. For more information go to FB Event Page
WEST HOLLYWOOD – I. Martin Bicycles will be leading a ride from the shop located at 8330 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA meeting at 8:30am. Linus Bikes and Clif Bar will have bikes for demo and goods to eat! For more info go to FB Event Page
WESTWOOD – UCLA Bicycle Coalition. Meet at Bruin Bear up at 8:45, roll out at 9. For more information check out the FB Event Page
To have your feeder ride added, email ciclaviavolunteer@gmail.com with info and relevant links.
—-
GO METRO:
Metro Rail provides convenient access to the heart of the action at CicLAvia.
Five Metro Rail Lines serve the event. Get more information on stations along a line, including street address and parking information, by clicking a line name below. Individualized trip planning assistance is also available at metro.net. For information about Metro Bus detours on 10/7/2012, visithttp://www.metro.net/service/advisories/update/special/487/.
Metro Red Line and Metro Purple Line
Exit at one of the following stations to get to CicLAvia:
Westlake/MacArthur Park Station
7th Street/Metro Center Station
Pershing Square Station
Civic Center Station
Union Station
Exit at one of the following stations to get to CicLAvia:
Chinatown Station
Union Station
Little Tokyo/Arts District Station
Soto Station
Mariachi Plaza Station
Exit at one of the following stations to get to CicLAvia:
Expo Park/USC Station
Jefferson/USC Station
23rd St Station
Pico Station
7th Street/Metro Center Station
Exit at one of the following stations to get to CicLAvia:
Grand Station
Pico Station
7th Street/Metro Center Station
Bikes are welcome on Metro Rail, but trains are especially crowded during CicLAvia. Please follow a few safety rule:
Do not board the first car of the train.
Walk your bike on the platform and in the station.
If a train is too crowded, wait for the next one.
Be courteous to other passengers when entering and exiting.
Avoid blocking doors and aisles.
Give priority to wheelchair passengers.
Bicyclists under 14 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
Fuel powered, 3-wheeled, tandem, recumbent, trailered or over 6-foot long bicycles and all mopeds are not allowed.
For more information on taking bikes on Metro trains and buses, please check Bike Metro’s webpage. Or this video.
Several Metro bus lines also serve areas near the CicLAvia route. However, be aware that each bus has only two bike racks and only folded bikes are allowed on board Metro buses. If you plan to take the bus to CicLAvia, please check service advisories; many routes will be on detour around the event.
—-
COMMUTER TRAINS – Metrolink and Amtrak:
The route is two short blocks from L.A. Union Station, terminus for many Amtrak and Metrolink trains. Metrolink has a convenient new $10 Weekend Pass. See Metrolink schedules, maps, and more at their website. Check out Metrolink’s new special bike cars, which should be running on all lines for CicLAvia.
To walk or bike from Union Station to CicLAvia: go out the front (west side) of Union Station, cross Alameda Street, then CicLAvia is directly behind the Plaza (on Main Street)
—-
CAR:
More than other modes, if you go by car, we recommend arriving early. Major streets will be open and smaller streets and alleys will be blocked. Many route-adjacent blocks will be open only to local traffic. Carpooling is encouraged. Folks might also try driving to Metro Rail stations, then arriving by train (Metro station parking information here) See parking suggestions below. Download a pdf of parking lots near the 10/7/12 CicLAvia route here.
—-
PARKING:
Download a pdf of parking lots near the 10/7/12 CicLAvia route.
Street parking or pay lots are generally available within a few blocks of the route. People arriving relatively early, should be able to find on-street parking almost anywhere along the route. L.A. City metered parking is generally free on Sundays. Due to street closures, we recommend not searching for parking too near the route, but parking ~4-6 blocks away and walking or bicycling the rest of the way. If you park, please use common sense security measures against theft: lock your car and don’t leave valuables out in the open.
Are there bathrooms along the route?
Yes. There will be portable toilets, including ADA accessible ones, at five of the six hubs along the route (see 10/7/12 Route Map for details). The Soto Station will not have portable restrooms.
Where can I find water along the route?
There will be hydration stations at the six hubs along the October 7th route (see 10/7/12 Route Map for details).
The water stations will be set up as taps (water fountains connected to LADWP fire hydrants), so in the spirit of conservation, CicLAvia asks participants to bring their own water bottle. There will also be CicLAvia water bottles for sale at all rest stops, courtesy of REI.
Are skateboarders allowed on the route?
Yes. Along with skates, rollerblades, etc…Basically anything without a motor.
Is CicLAvia stroller friendly?
Yes. CicLAvia is for everyone – especially children and their families. There will be ample space for strollers along the route.
Is the route handicap accessible?
Yes. With no starting point, individuals requiring handicap-accessible areas can enter wherever. There are minimal inclines along the route’s 10 miles, and any portion deemed steep will have proper signage.
For more information on how disabled participants can enjoy CicLAvia, please visit: Some Tips for Wheelchair CicLAvia Participants.
For more info http://www.ciclavia.org/
50+UPF Sunny Sleevez
Sunny Sleevez 
This sounds like an absolutely wonderful day out! I wish I could go!