South Los Angeles was set to trade honking horns for bike bells on Sunday, as thousands of Angelenos were expected to roll, stroll and skate along a 3.6-mile stretch between Leimert Park and Exposition Park for CicLAvia’s latest car-free open-streets takeover. The route runs along Crenshaw Boulevard and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and was scheduled to be closed to cars from roughly 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with setup closures starting earlier. Organizers mapped out three activity hubs along the course where families can pull over for water refills, basic bike repairs and a breather.
According to CicLAvia, the pop-up park spans a 3.6-mile course that links Leimert Park and Exposition Park, with hubs planted at Leimert Park, King Estates and Expo Park. The group notes that street closures are set to run from about 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with marked crossing points at select intersections to allow limited vehicle access.
A news conference was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. at the Leimert Park hub, and MyNewsLA reported that the speaker lineup includes Mayor Karen Bass, City Councilmembers Heather Hutt and Curren Price, Metro CEO Yesenia Arias, CicLAvia Executive Director Romel Pascual and board member Kellie Hawkins. A performance by LA Carnival on the Shaw was also on the program, the outlet said.
Hubs, Free Rides And World Cup Pop-Ups
Each hub is designed as a pit stop rather than a finish line, with family-friendly programming, restrooms, first aid and information booths. Free pedicab rides are available at hub info tents for anyone who needs a lift instead of more mileage. Community organizations are planning World Cup-themed pop-ups at the Leimert Park hub to sync with nearby watch-party events, organizers told LATF USA News.
Street Closures And Slow-Street Viewing
The Los Angeles Department of Transportation advised that the route will be closed to vehicles from about 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, and LADOT is urging drivers and transit riders to plan ahead rather than get stuck circling for alternate routes. The agency’s weekly update also spotlights a Crenshaw Wall Mural slow-street connection next to the course that will restrict southbound lanes from Vernon to 52nd Street for mural viewing; bus detours will be in effect around the entire setup.
Transit, Bike Share And Getting There
Organizers and local coverage point out that the course is highly Metro-accessible, with multiple rail stations a short walk from the route. The Leimert Park hub will host a temporary Metro Bike Share pop-up to make arrivals and departures a little smoother for car-free attendees. Riders and pedestrians are being urged to lean on transit, bike share or the free pedicab service while buses are detoured, according to SoCalCycling.
Rules And Safety
CicLAvia sets a pretty simple ground rule for the route: people-powered vehicles only. Class 1 e-bikes are allowed, and Class 2 and 3 e-bikes may join the fun only if they are operated with the motor switched off. Manual and motorized wheelchairs remain fully welcome. Participants are reminded to bring water, wear helmets if they are riding and look for volunteers and first-aid stations at every hub…