More Than 130,000 Take Part In 2nd Annual 'CicLAvia'
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — More than 130,000 people participated in the second annual CicLAvia event, with Lance Armstrong leading the cyclers through miles of city roads shut down to drivers.
The event, patterned after Ciclovia (a similar ride in Bogota, Colombia), began at 9:30 a.m. with a grand opening ceremony at the Japan America National Museum Plaza at First Street and Central Avenue in Little Tokyo.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong were among the dignitaries who attended.
The two-way route runs between Hollenbeck Park in Boyle Heights and Heliotrope Avenue, just north of Melrose Avenue, in Hollywood. The route also included Fourth Street into downtown, the Westlake District, MacArthur Park, Silverlake and Koreatown.
Street closures went into effect early Sunday morning, with cars scheduled for towing after 6 a.m. By 3:30 p.m., officials fully reopened the streets to regular traffic.
There were four rest stops along the route with portable bathrooms and hydration stations. The stops were located at Hollenbeck Park, Fourth Street and Cummings; South lawn of City Hall, Northwest corner of First and Main streets; MacArthur Park, Seventh Street between Alvarado Avenue; and Lake and Orange 20 Bikes parking lot at Heliotrope and Melrose avenues.
Rehak said organizers hope to expand the route into the Westside with upcoming events planned for July and October.
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