CicloSGVia: A Vision for an Open Streets Event in the SGV
CicLAvia is known for being the biggest block party in Los Angeles. With Metro dedicating $2M for an Open Streets Program, this project has the potential of becoming the largest block party in the US of A! It's wildly ambitious but very doable. Not to mention transformative. With the San Gabriel Valley Regional Bike Master Plan currently underway, this is a perfect opportunity to overcome social, cultural, and mental blocks for adopting more healthy & active lifestyles thereby creating a grassroots demand for an improved built environment focused on biking, walking and transit.
With a much bigger picture in mind, the goal is to redefine the way the USA experiences and celebrates EARTH DAY annually. The original premise behind Ciclovia was to promote environmental preservation through non-polluting methods of transportation. The co-benefits of experiencing a life without cars not only stimulates the local economy but rebrands a city's recreational value. Hopefully, we'll all come to recognize Earth Day as the day without cars.
With a much bigger picture in mind, the goal is to redefine the way the USA experiences and celebrates EARTH DAY annually. The original premise behind Ciclovia was to promote environmental preservation through non-polluting methods of transportation. The co-benefits of experiencing a life without cars not only stimulates the local economy but rebrands a city's recreational value. Hopefully, we'll all come to recognize Earth Day as the day without cars.
The GRAND Vision
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With proper coordination and marketing, this single event has the potential of attracting upwards of a 1,000,000 people from throughout Southern California. But how does the SGV attract 1-million people in one day? Create an all-in-one-day tourist attraction that floats everyone's boat!
The proposed backbone route spans nearly 50 miles and connects almost every downtown district in 15+ jurisdictions, college/universities, regional parks, rivers and lakes, along with every major transit center and historic site in the San Gabriel Valley. But to really attract the masses, the vision incorporates 3 massive festivals in combination with mini-festivals, sporting events, concerts, outdoor theater, food truck oasis, bike pit stops, and anything else you can think of to make this event a GRAND success. Creating an All-Day Tourist Attraction |
Cities on Route
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The success of this Open Street event hinges on creating a viable all-day attractive experience for people beyond LA County. After providing a reason to come, stay and play in the SGV, it's important to consider how people will arrive, stage, and explore. Three major, regional parks have been targeted along the route that are capable of hosting thousands of people while providing parking solutions for out of towners.
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The Arroyo Secco Park (Rose Bowl)
(Art/Music/Culture Festival) The Rose Bowl is a great parking location for folks traveling from Western Los Angeles, Ventura, & Santa Barbara Counties. |
Santa Fe Dam
(All Things Health Fair) Those arriving from the East such as San Bernardino and Riverside County would greatly benefit from easy parking access to the Santa Fe Dam and connection to the route.
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Whittier Narrows
(Bicycle Bonanza) Whittier Narrows makes for a perfect parking destination for all those arriving from San Diego, Orange and South LA County.
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Metro's Preliminary Funding Framework
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GOALS
Increase Sustainable Transportation Mode Share (Transit, Bicycle & Pedestrian)
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COMPETITIVE PROCESS
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PROJECT FEASIBILITY
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ROUTE SETTING
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COLLECT & EVALUATE DATA
Grantees will be required to provide a report 3 months after an event which will include:
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Non-Dependent Groups
Recognizing the scale of this project BikeSGV has prepared a recommended contingency of multiple non-dependent groups of cities to scale down this massive effort. By breaking down the the GRAND 50-mile route into smaller groups of cities, it's feasible and more practical to plan, apply and execute an open street event. After all, it's better to have a smaller event than no event at all. Therefore, if one multi-jurisdiction cluster of cities is awarded but the others are not, that one cluster can still execute an open street event that satisfies the application criteria. But, if all groups are funded, the 50-mile route may very well be possible. For application and preferred route purposes, BikeSGV recommends the following cluster cities:
1Pasadena
South Pasadena East Pasadena (LA County) |
2Monterey Park
Alhambra San Gabriel Temple City Rosemead |
3Covina
Baldwin Park El Monte South El Monte |
4Arcadia
Monrovia Duarte Azusa |
Potential Partners
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Regional Community Organizations
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Medical Centers
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Government Agencies
Foundations/Endowments
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Attractive Destinations
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Major Parks
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Colleges/Universities
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Business Districts
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Historic Sites
Other Destinations
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Public Transportation
This project is not expected to be executed until 2015 or 2016. By then, the SGV should have 3 additional, fully operational Metro Gold Line Stations along the Foothills. With that in mind, the route incorporates 23 major transportation depots in the region
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Existing Metro Gold Line Station
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Planned Metro Gold Line Station
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Existing Metro Link Stations
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Existing Bus Stations
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What do you think?Do you think an open street event of this scale is doable?
If yes:
If no:
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