Downey planning CicLAvia-type event May 1

Photo by Pam Lane, DowneyDailyPhotos.com

DOWNEY –  The City of Downey will hold its first ever “Ride & Stride” event on Sunday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

The event will offer a 5.5 mile route with various stops that will feature entertainment stages, food, vendors, games, and much more. This route will be completely closed to vehicular traffic and will allow the public to explore the city by walking, jogging, biking, skating, and strolling. 
All forms of non-motorized transit are welcomed, including scooters, bicycles, wheelchairs, skateboards, wagons, strollers, and rollerblades. 

Downey’s “Ride & Stride” is funded through the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Open Streets Grant Program, which seeks to increase opportunities for walking, biking, and public transit to help create and more mobile and sustainable transportation system in the L.A. region. 

“Ride & Stride” is one out of eight Open Streets events that are projected to collectively attract nearly half a million attendees.

“It will be a day where we’ll all have the opportunity to explore our city in a safe, car-free zone, and view many of the things our city has to offer such as our Columbia Memorial Space Center, The Promenade, Downtown Downey, Civic Center, and much more,” said Mayor Alex Saab.

During this event, the city will also feature “Kidslavia,” a free family event with entertainment, food booths, carnival games, teen challenge, Boy Scout Village and information booths. “Kidslavia” will be held at the Discovery Sports Complex.

A community information meeting is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 13 at 9 a.m., at the Barbara J. Riley Center, where the public can learn all about the event, street closures, what to expect, and opportunities to be a vendor, volunteer, or performer.