“CicloIrvine,” the city’s cars-free, open streets event is now an annual affair thanks to a City Council vote last week.
The inaugural CicloIrvine took place this May when city officials closed nearly two miles of Barranca Parkway and Harvard Avenue to cars so that people could walk, run, pedal or skate their way across the entire width of the roads. The event included music, art and family activities such as strolling mariachis and performances from the Southern California Youth Dragon and Lion Dance Team, Kibou Taiko and Focus Dance Theater.
Jill Basilio finishes her ride with King, her yorkie who “loves doing outdoor activities,” during “CicloIrvine,” a 1.66-mile stretch of Barranca Parkway that was closed to cars on Saturday, May 4, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kyle Riedel and his stylish 2-year-old son Kayden cruise down a 1.66-mile stretch of Barranca Parkway where no cars are allowed during Irvine’s first “CicloIrvine,” on Saturday, May 4, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Kaplan family: Nathan and Amie with their son Teddy, 5, and daughter Phoebe, 1, hits the road during Irvine’s first “CicloIrvine,” a 1.66-mile stretch on Barranca Parkway with no cars allowed on Saturday, May 4, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ten-year-old Davi Lobo warms up before taking part in “CicloIrvine,” a 1.66-mile stretch of Barranca Parkway that was closed to cars on Saturday, May 4, 2024. Lobo was ridiing a Super73 e-bike. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Bicyclist take part in Irvine’s first “CicloIrvine,” a 1.66-mile stretch on Barranca Parkway with no cars allowed on Saturday, May 4, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Bicyclist and walkers fill the street during Irvine’s first “CicloIrvine,” a 1.66-mile stretch on Barranca Parkway with no cars allowed on Saturday, May 4, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Bikers, scooters, and walkers all take part in Irvine’s first “CicloIrvine,” a 1.66-mile stretch on Barranca Parkway near Harvard Avenue with no cars allowed on Saturday, May 4, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A bicyclist finds an innovative way to tote a passenger during Irvine’s first “CicloIrvine,” a 1.66-mile stretch ofBarranca Parkway with no cars allowed on Saturday, May 4, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Map of the CicloIrvine route. (Courtesy of Irvine)
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Jill Basilio finishes her ride with King, her yorkie who “loves doing outdoor activities,” during “CicloIrvine,” a 1.66-mile stretch of Barranca Parkway that was closed to cars on Saturday, May 4, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Altogether, about 10,000 people participated, leading Councilmember Kathleen Treseder to propose that CicloIrvine happens every year.
“I think that this is a great opportunity to bring the community together,” she said.
Other councilmembers agreed the event should reoccur annually in a different part of Irvine.
Staff said this year’s event cost about $425,000 to run, of which roughly half was covered by sponsorships.
“I do expect that if we do this annually and sponsors are anticipating it, then our sponsorship opportunities will grow,” Treseder said.
CicloIrvine was inspired by the weekly street closure event originating in Bogota, Columbia, that has given rise to offshoots around the world.
While this was the first open streets event in Irvine, ciclovía (Spanish for bike path) events have been hosted locally by Santa Ana, Garden Grove and Los Angeles, which has three such events scheduled through October.
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