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Top 5 things to know about CicLAvia: The Valley
Art "Chopper" Ramirez rides down 9th Street on his customized bike at L.A.'s third CicLAvia event on October 9, 2011.
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Eric Zassenhaus/ KPCC
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Ciclavia float
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Dorian Merina/KPCC
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The Hudson Jackals, a bicycle crew from Hollywood, finish their ride at LACMA during CicLAvia on June 23, 2013.
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Todd Johnson/KPCC
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A double decker bike turns onto 9th Street at L.A.'s third CicLAvia event on October 9, 2011.
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Eric Zassenhaus/ KPCC
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Cyclists ride through the street at CicLAvia in downtown L.A. October 9, 2011.
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Eric Richardson/KPCC
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Top 5 things to know about CicLAvia: The Valley
CicLAvia hits the San Fernando Valley this weekend – a first time for the car-free event in this part of town. Previous rides put on by the nonprofit stayed within the city's historic core.
Metro is a co-sponsor. The agency hopes the event will entice people to try buses and trains for the first time and to experience walking and biking as real alternatives to driving. The ride will be on Sunday, March 22, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The route is a 6-mile L-shape along Ventura Boulevard, from Coldwater Canyon to Lankershim, then north to Chandler Boulevard. You can see the map below (click for full size).
Rep. Adam Schiff will be riding along the route from Glendale Central Library to the North Hollywood Metro station. Councilman Paul Krekorian, who will also be attending, said he expects as many as 50,000 people to visit his district to ride, run and walk the streets.
Planning on going? Here are five things you need to know.
1. Speed demons, stay left; walkers, runners and everyone else, stay right
It's a bummer to crash your Frankenbike at CicLAvia in front of such a big audience. Remember that riders of many different ages, abilities and attention spans are flooding the zone. Add in rollerblades, those zig-zagging carving bikes and pedestrians posing on the center line with GoPros on selfie sticks: Could be a real non-motorized cluster@#$. CicLAvia recommends faster bikes pass on the left, slower bikes hold to the right and runners and walkers take the far right lane. And don't forget: Riders under 18 must wear helmets.
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2. Make it easy getting there: Use the Metro
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority is spending $2 million a year to help fund this and future CicLAvia events across the county. You can stack your bike on the front rack of a Metro bus. But since those can fill up quickly, consider taking the train. On Sunday, the Red Line will have extra cars to accommodate more customers and the Orange Line will run more frequently.
3. Or carpool
Your best bet may be to make some friends on the way and add in a few extra cycling miles.
4. Be aware of some road closures
This link has the updates along the route. It shows how the closures of Ventura and Lankershim will change Metro bus schedules on several routes. In addition, parts of the Blue and Green light rail lines will be out of service all weekend, with shuttle buses covering the gaps.
5. Enjoy the sights along the way
North Hollywood Arts District
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Studio City Farmers Market
Universal City and Universal Studios and Citywalk
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Other things to look for: Historic Campo de Cahuenga, home of the Tongva tribe and a place that calls itself "the birthplace of California," and Sportsmen's Lodge: See it before it gets turned into an outdoor mall.
Upcoming CicLAvia events include Pasadena (May 31) and Culver City (Aug. 9). Metro is also hosting a similar event called "Open Streets" in Long Beach (June 15). Have fun and share your photos with us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter (@KPCC).
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Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the date when CicLAvia is taking place. KPCC regrets the error.
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