Citizens Reclaim the Road at Open Streets

On Saturday, November 2 two and a half miles of Cabrillo Boulevard along the waterfront will be temporarily closed to automobile traffic and transformed into a ‘paved park’ for a day of  fitness, art, music, dance and cultural activities. 

The idea for Open Streets comes from Bogota, Colombia’s Ciclovias (Spanish for ‘bikeways’), which are used weekly by about 2 million people. Open Streets is now a growing international movement to transform the streets into a public space that stimulates a sense of community and promotes better public health and sustainable transportation.  Santa Barbara’s initiative – which is one of 200 similar events worldwide – is being spearheaded by Traffic Solutions and COAST, and is expected to draw 15,000 people. CEC is a sponsor of Open Streets, which reflects CEC’s vision of communities that are designed for people, not cars.

The event will offer six interactive zones with free activities for people of all ages. Kids can head to the skate park to skateboard in a safe, enclosed area with pads and helmets.  The Funk Zone will be filled with live music, art, workshops, performances and demonstrations. Fitness and dance instructors will be offering salsa dancing, Zumba classes, fitness bootcamps and yoga practices. Elected officials are even holding office hours – by bike.

Volunteers are needed to ensure that the event runs smoothly; see shifts and positions and sign up to volunteer on the Open Streets website.

To keep in line with encouraging sustainable transportation, participants are encouraged to walk, bike, or take the train or bus.  While you can ride your bike throughout the event route, there are also many spots to park and lock a bike, including self-serve bike racks at the activity zones (be sure to bring your own lock).  The Waterfront Electric Shuttle will also be in operation. For those coming from Los Angeles or San Luis Obispo County, the Amtrak station is close by and the train even allows passengers to bring their bikes, with an advanced reservation.

So grab your bike, blades, skateboard, or stroller and reclaim the streets this weekend to celebrate a day with no cars and no traffic – just people-powered movement.

Elected Officials Office Hours

11:00 am: Bendy White
12:00 pm: Salud Carbajal
1:00 pm: Cathy Murillo
2:00 pm: Helene Schneider
2:45 pm: Janet Wolf
3:30 pm: Das Williams