Celebrating Community

4 months ago (Edited)

I lead a community outreach effort at a CicLAvia event recently, capturing images with my iPhone 16 that exemplified the diversity of participants. Our volunteer hiking trail maintenance and repair organization wanted to raise awareness of our existence and enable interested parties to join in on our efforts.

CicLAvia is a community-strengthening event that occurs eight times a year at different locations around the Los Angeles basin. A five mile continuous stretch of public roadway is blocked off for six hours, allowing human-powered participants move freely as they enjoy being outside and among others celebrating open spaces and each other.

Three options to participate were offered to our group. The first two required us to "donate" $5000 or more to the organizers. The third, which we chose because ot was free, was to support law enforcement at one of six points where motorized traffic would occasionally be allowed to cross. Our role was to pause the participants when this occurred.

I gave our somber bunch 😂 instructions before sending them off. Time passed quickly as we embraced the party atmosphere and diversity of participants that walked, rode, skated, ran, and otherwise relished in community interaction.

We took our responsibility to protect the public very seriously, but made sure to mix in playful exchanges. This one was taken by my co-organizer, who displayed zero tolerance to any and all that passed.

I heartily recommend that you consider joining these celebrations if you're in the area. Routes and information can be found at www.ciclavia.org
Bicycle rentals are always available. Some simply walk, jog or run the route. Skateboards? Wheelchairs? Unicycles? Not a problem. Food, refreshments and information can be found at each end and the midpoint, as well as the from the businesses along the route.