//CenCalVia

CenCalVia

Open Streets Event October 1st

by Edna Pedroza |  Graphic Designer | edna.o.pedroza@gmail.com

The Fresno County Bicycle Coalition is hosting CenCalVia Open Streets Event Sunday, October 1st. So, what is a CenCalVia Open Streets Event? Well, the concept of this movement started in Bogota Columbia in the 1970’s as Ciclovia (Spanish term for a cycleway, a permanent bike path or area closed off to automobiles). It was a way to bring a community together by getting folks out to play in a space closed off to vehicles so that cyclists, runners, skaters, and pedestrians could feel safe to be active and have fun in an otherwise hazardous area. Since that movement in Bogota, the open streets concept has been an event held all over the world, and many cities in the U.S. host these every year. Los Angeles hosts CicLAvia; San Francisco has Sunday Streets, San Jose with their ‘CalleSJ’ and your very own Fresno has CenCalVia.

Last year over 1,000 Fresno residents participated in the first-ever CenCalVia Open Streets Event. A one-mile stretch of road on Ventura Avenue, between First and Cedar Streets, was closed off to automobiles and it was where the community came together to bike, walk, dance and skate in a 4-hour pop-up park, open streets style event. This year FCBC is back to bring you this free, family-friendly and rad experience. You don’t want to miss out on this year’s CenCalVia. Save the date and come out Sunday, October 1st where Ventura Avenue will again be closed off to automobiles between First and Cedar Streets between 11a and 3p. For more information go to cencalvia.org or find the event on Facebook at Cencalvia Fresno.

Why CenCalVia is rad for Fresno:

Environmental ImpactCenCalvia supports environmental sustainability by encouraging residents to leave their vehicles behind and ride their bicycles, walk, or take a bus. CenCalVia also provides interactive information promoting environmental awareness about the “Heat Island Impact” and what they can do to improve the air quality in the San Joaquin Valley.

Economic Development – CenCalVia promotes economic development by bringing residents to commercial district areas. Whether in small towns or big cities, Open Streets events get residents out to have some fun and take notice of businesses that they did not previously patronize.

Public Health – CenCalVia will advance public health by promoting physical activity, addressing obesity and reducing health problems associated with the lack of exercise.  Open Streets events encourage families to “unplug” and enjoy physical activity and healthy eating together.  FCBC partnered with organizations like Oooobi Fresno, and Cultiva La Salud to promote nutrition and access to fresh, local produce that is convenient and affordable.

Social Justice – CenCalVia promotes social equity by implementing the event in a socioeconomically challenged neighborhood of Fresno and bringing people together from diverse socioeconomic, ethnic, and demographic areas.

Visit www.cencalvia.org for more info.