Downey bicyclists join CicLAvia

DOWNEY - About two dozen cycling enthusiasts from Downey High School joined thousands of Los Angeles bicycling enthusiasts downtown Sunday for the fifth annual CicLAvia event.More than nine miles of city streets stretching from Boyle Heights to MacArthur Park, and from Chinatown to Exposition Park, were closed to cars from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The idea behind CicLAvia, modeled after a decades-old Columbia movement, is to encourage people to get out of their cars and explore the city in other ways. The event also reflects California's longtime push for greener transportation and building healthier communities, organizers said. "It's important that students get involved because we have creative minds and we see what ideas we could bring to the city of Downey," said Steven Duran, a member of Downey High's KIWIN'S club. "We decided to join in on the fun with CicLAvia to learn how we can get a bicycle master plan in Downey and perhaps one day we too can hold an event like CicLAvia in our city," said Daniel Gonzalez, a student at East Middle School. A group of bicycle riders has started monthly bike rides in Downey, with the next ride scheduled for Oct. 27 starting at 8 a.m. at Treasure Island Park. "We ride our bikes not only because we want to make a statement that we need bicycle lanes but to foster a sense of camaraderie and educate our youth about bicycle safety, protecting the environment and, most importantly, developing a healthy lifestyle," said Alex Gaytan, a teacher and leader of the Kiwanis Green Team.

********** Published: October 11, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 26