Despite an intense heat wave scorching Southern California this week, temperatures will begin to cool, just in time to enjoy car-free streets in Boyle Heights for CicLAvia this weekend.
On Sunday, Oct. 11, a 6.5-mile stretch of road will be closed to cars from Mariachi Plaza to Echo Park for CicLAvia’s Heart of LA, encouraging residents to enjoy open streets in their neighborhood. This year, Boyle Heights Beat and The LA Local will be tabling at CicLAvia to share more about our community-centered reporting.
Whether you choose to walk, run, or roll, be sure to enjoy the fresh air, drink plenty of water, and wear sunscreen (and don’t forget your helmet if you’re on wheels!).
Here’s what to know about street closures, local gems to explore across the neighborhoods and how to get reimbursed for parking.
When is it and what can I expect?
CicLAvia Heart of LA will take place Sunday, Oct. 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Participants can expect to see local gems along the route, restaurants and vendors, and event hubs featuring activations and water refill stations.
What is the route?
The route spans 6.5 miles through Boyle Heights, the Arts District, Little Tokyo, Downtown, Chinatown and Echo Park.
What kind of vehicles are allowed at the event?
Only people-powered vehicles are allowed, including bikes, scooters, skateboards, and rollerblades.
Motorized wheelchairs and mobility devices for people with disabilities are allowed. E-bikes are allowed with some restrictions. See the full guidelines here.
What streets in Boyle Heights will be affected?
Stretches of 1st Street, St. Louis Street, Boyle Avenue, Whittier Boulevard and the 6th Street Bridge will all be closed to car traffic. Check out the full event map here.
Street closures will begin as early as 4 a.m. on the day of the event. Streets are expected to reopen by 6 p.m.
Parking and transportation
No street parking is allowed along the CicLAvia route from 1 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Driveways along the route will also be inaccessible from 7 a.m. to approximately 6 p.m. on Sunday, so be sure to plan ahead and move your car before 7 a.m. if you need to use it.
According to the CicLAvia website, cars will be towed if they are parked along the event route.
If you live or work directly on the route, CicLAvia says you may be reimbursed up to $20 per vehicle for any parking costs incurred from 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10 through 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11.
To request reimbursement:
- Email a copy of your parking receipt and proof of residence or employment to info@ciclavia.org with the subject line “Parking Reimbursement.”
- Reimbursement requests must be submitted within 30 days of the event date.
All buses that usually run along the CicLAvia route will be detoured on the day of the event. A full list of bus detours can be found here.
In Boyle Heights, these Metro stations are located less than half a mile from the route:
- Pico Aliso, E Line – 0.4 miles
- Mariachi Plaza, E Line – less than 0.1 mile
- Soto, E Line – 0.3 miles
Where to find Boyle Heights Beat
Be sure to check out a range of event hubs, local gems, shops and restaurants along the route using this interactive map. And come say hi to the Boyle Heights Beat team—we will be stationed at the Mariachi Plaza Hub from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
