Cycling the mean streets of Tucson

The car-free route for Cyclovia this year went right through some neighborhoods where streets are lined with light industry and vacant lots. The housing in these neighborhoods looked very economical, too. But the lack of a scenic drive didn’t slow down the hundreds of Tucsonans young and old who were taking advantage of the no-cars-on-these-streets for a family and/or friends outing.

Organized and sponsored here in Tucson by Living Streets Alliance — the same folks who painted 6th Avenue near Armory Park and the roundabout in Barrio Blue Moon— the goal of the organization is to create permanent open streets, streets with no motorized vehicles. They describe it as a “city for people, not a city for cars.” Think it will be difficult to do? Take a look at the drastic transformation that has already occurred in Paris, France where car-less streets are expanding quickly.

Crazy costumes and fun rides

Serious public goals were not on the minds of most of the bicyclists I saw. They were out for fun! Costumes were everywhere, perhaps because of Halloween. An aside: in Los Angeles wearing crazy costumes at CicLAvia is common even if it’s not Halloween–but that’s L.A.’s love of fantasy for you.

I decided to make the Old Pascua Hub my home base, taking photos as the cylists came streaming through. Here is what I saw:

Loved this couple with their bicycle built for 2! Behind them are tents for entertainment and vendors at the Old Pascua Hub.

In the entertainment area there was a rapper, Sensei Sai, and a pair of soap makers from Flowing Waters Soap Company. A toddler played with a hula hoop, oblivious to everything around her.

Just when things began to look slow for a moment suddenly a man wearing a white wig came peddling by on an 8 foot high bicycle he built for himself. His wife in her purple witch’s hat and daughter were cruising along on more conventional bicycles.

Then a woman in a green tutu with fairy wings came rolling along, not slowing a bit. I saw her later down in the Dunbar Springs neighborhood, still peddling full blast. The person with stars on their legs on the adult-size tricycle was going at a much slower pace, taking in the sights. Notice in the background a few men who were not wearing helmets!!

And if you decided that your bike was just too plain, there was a decorating station with free paper flowers to enhance your ride. And it looks like there is a GoPro on that bike propped up against the wall.

And finally, another woman in a witch’s hat. She was carrying a sign that identified her as the Cyclovia Census Taker. Numbers, numbers, numbers…but she wasn’t trying to count everyone passing through. She seemed to have a form for in-depth information about some participants.

While watching it was fun, maybe I will keep my bike instead of selling it and ride in the next Cyclovia.

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