By Megan Burks
A 5.2-mile-long block party will close streets to vehicle traffic in five San Diego neighborhoods Sunday for the city’s very first CicloSDias.
“It’s a bicycling-, walking-, strolling-, rolling-, connect-with-your-community event,” said Andy Hanshaw, executive director of the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition.
Hanshaw said San Diego is joining an open streets movement with Sunday’s event. CicloSDias is modeled after similar events in Bogotá and Los Angeles. The goal is to reclaim streets for pedestrians, bicyclists, skateboarders – anyone but drivers.
 CicloSDias will stop traffic on 30th Street from K to Landis streets, and on Landis and Wightman streets in the Cherokee Point neighborhood of City Heights Aug. 11, 2013. | Courtesy of CicloSDias |
Hanshaw said CicloSDias has been in the making for about four years. It gained momentum during the 2012 mayoral campaign, when candidates jockeyed for support from San Diego’s bike community and smart growth advocates.
“I think the timing was right,” Hanshaw said. “I think people are wanting to have more of these types of environments and opportunities to enjoy their streets without worrying about the stress of traffic.”
Street access will be closed to cars on 30th Street from Grant Hill, through Golden Hill and South Park, to North Park 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Landis and Wightman streets heading into City Heights will also be open to pedestrians, with several activities available near the Copley Family YMCA.
Expect neighborhood booths, music, Zumba classes and a lot of bikes.
Hanshaw said organizers are already thinking about hosting another CicloSDias. Permits, equipment and marketing for the event cost $60,000 to $80,000. This year’s event was funded through private donations, Hanshaw said. Organizers are still accepting donations through the crowd-funding site Fundly.com.