CicLAvia: Experience Your City

For all my writing about cities, development, transit, and live events… there’s really one purpose above all: To Connect People.

I believe the end goal of all of these things is to connect people. To do so by giving them shared experiences, easy transportation, business relationships, etc. Connecting people to each other through their city in the easiest and best ways possible is the ultimate goal of most of my writing. Nothing I’ve ever experienced in Los Angeles has had such a profound connecting and community-building effect as CicLAvia.

The next CicLAvia is coming up in just over a week, on Sunday, April 15, with another to follow in October. The route has grown longer and crowds have gotten bigger. This is a free event for all to experience over ten miles of streets through various neighborhoods around Los Angeles. However, there are many things that need to be paid for — from permits to traffic control officers — and CicLAvia needs our help.

Please take a moment to head over to Kickstarter and donate to the 2012 events. The goal is $12,000 and so far $10,400 has been raised. The goal must be met tonight or CicLAvia will not receive any of the money. That’s how Kickstarter works. You can pledge any amount you wish, but if you pledge more than $15, you get some cool collateral — stickers, buttons, water bottles, t-shirts….

Help CicLAvia continue to thrive by donating now (NOW! They must meet to goal today). I just upped my pledge and am asking you to do the same.

[UPDATE: The CicLAvia Kickstarter project was fully funded shortly before its deadline. Thanks to all who helped out! Feel free to head over to that page just to watch the video they've posted and get more info if you want.]

More importantly, come out on the streets next Sunday and experience the city with some friends. CicLAvia is not just for bikers. Walkers, rollerbladers, and people playing basketball, kickball, or hopscotch can all be found on the route. Families, singles, young, and old all come together on CicLAvia day. Feel free to let me know where you’ll be, because I’ll certainly be out and about that day too! I’m looking forward to seeing you out there.

Some more photos from my last CicLAvia experience after the jump….

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