Tucson Cyclovia rides again!

For a while it seemed as if riding bicycles along the streets of Tucson, sans cars, aka Cyclovia, was not going to happen, but it did. The sponsor, Living Streets Alliance, which has recently undergone a reevaluation of their goals and tactics, announced that it will be a semi-annual event. Great news!

So here are a few photos I took of this year’s fun ride, starting with the 2 witches and one pirate taking a break at the Armory Park at the top of this post. The Park was the northernmost hub of Cyclovia this year. The no-cars route went south for two miles. It was good to see that 6th Avenue, the street painted by the LSA in October, 2022, is standing up to traffic. Not quite as brilliant, but still there.

Also at the Armory Park hub was a tent for cycles for people with physical disabilities.

BMX bicyles was there in force with their bicyle jumps. I’m not certain if the cyclists using the jumps were Team BMX or some other group or individuals. Anyway, it was not easy capturing an image of one cyclists at the peak of this final jump.

Even though it was October, the day was hot: 95F!! So the shade under trees outside the Children’s Museum attracted a lot of cyclists’ families.

Next, I hopped in my car and drove over to famous Meyer Avenue in Barrio Viejo to see what was going on there. It turned out that instead of another witch– like this one by Armory Park with a broom on her bike– there was a fairy with pink wings cycling down Meyer. Didn’t see any Dia de los Muertos figures this year, but Dia de los Muertos does not appear to be as big of a celebration here in Tucson as it is in Los Angeles as you can see here and here.

There was also a man in one of the low-slung, powered-by-hand tricycles, which are growing in popularity even among those who are not disabled. This one appears to have a place in the rear for a rider — maybe kneeling?

Perhaps because of the heat or because there was a big Trick or Treat event happening on 4th Ave., there did not seem to be as many participants, especially children, as in previous years. But there were smiles on everyone’s faces. I’m looking forward to the next one!