The City of Irvine hosted the third annual CicloIrvine on May 2 on a section of Irvine Boulevard, promoting alternative transportation and community engagement.
During the event, 1.3 miles of Irvine Boulevard were closed to vehicles, and participants were encouraged to walk, bike or skate through the open streets. The event course passed through several plazas, including Culver Plaza, allowing it to highlight and support many local businesses, according to District 2 City Council member William Go.
“I definitely want the city to start embracing alternative transportation and realize that we have some great trails and pathways,” Go said. “The city is very bikeable, and I think everyone will be a lot happier if they get on their bikes and travel.”
Mandatory dismount areas along the route featured numerous informational and interactive booths such as ones hosted by the Irvine Police Department and the Irvine Public Library. The police department’s booth featured a Plinko board game with prizes, recruitment flyers, and a meet-and-greet with police officers in front of a police Cybertruck. The public library’s booth featured customizable license plates and bookmarks.
“We decided to participate in this event again since we are interested in bringing more people into their local library,” senior librarian and branch manager of outreach services Lauren Regenhardt said. “[Being] able to meet new people, chat with them and bring them in is one of my favorite parts of the job.”
At each end of the course, a stage was set up for participants to take a break and enjoy performances from local dance studios and bands. Participant Deborah Monterrosa and her group of friends were drawn to the stage by the upbeat music played by the Ultimate Diamond Band, according to Monterrosa.
“I love any kind of event that allows the general public to use all the streets in ways alternative to vehicles,” Monterrosa said. “I, personally, am on roller skates today, and I love to skate outdoors. I like the freedom of skating in the streets without having to battle cars.”
Although the next CicloIrvine is still being planned, the event has historically taken place in early May. In the meantime, Go aims to continue promoting active transportation. To ensure safer roads for cyclists, he plans to add more class IV bike lanes, which physically separates cyclists from vehicles on roads, according to Go. Go said events like CicloIrvine help residents imagine how Irvine’s streets could better support cyclists, pedestrians and other forms of active transportation.
