For Angelenos, Sunday was a day that we’ll never forget. Our first Open Streets party was an unparalleled success. So much so that even the critics of the concept grudgingly came on board when it was obvious that they missed the boat on supporting and experiencing a groundbreaking day.
The Los Angeles Times estimates that 100,000 people took to the streets to celebrate CicLAvia. Of course, that number doesn’t count all of the residents that sat on their porches or balconies and enjoyed the car-free festival environment that permeated the air.
But perhaps the image that will remain after these festivals become the norm will be L.A.’s suddenly bike-friendly mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa, hopping on a bike and pedaling away from Hollenbeck Park at the start of the festival with a smile on his face and a shout of joy coming from his heart.
“Let’s Go!” he shouted as he took off to celebrate the day. Hopefully Sunday was the turning point for Los Angeles as we all go into our clean transportation future.
(This film was shot by Robin Adams and was funded entirely through Streetsblog LA reader donations.)
