Open Streets: 10 cities that put cars in park for a day

Some of the world’s largest cities are saying no to cars — at least for a few hours. Open Streets programs close miles of major thoroughfares, allowing bicyclists and pedestrians to wander urban areas in temporary car-free zones. “It’s a chance for families and older adults to move freely,” says Mike Lydon of OpenStreetsProject.org, an advocacy group. The movement became popular in the 1970s in Bogota, where it’s called Ciclovía, Spanish for “cycleway.” The city now closes 70 miles of roads every Sunday and federal holidays, and the practice has spread around the world. Lydon shares some favorite programs with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.

CicLAvia
Los Angeles
Perhaps there’s no better candidate for open streets than sprawling Los Angeles. And with attendance at previous events topping 100,000, the idea appears to have struck a chord. “They have one of the best known programs in the country. It moves around and can be as long as 10 miles,” Lydon says. Next event: Aug. 14, along Wilshire Boulevard. ciclavia.org

Sundays on the Boulevard
Portland, Maine
Once a week from May through October, the scenic seacoast city shuts down Baxter Boulevard, which loops around a tidal cove. Crafts vendors, food trucks and exercise classes lure visitors, although the organizers also include unstructured time to enjoy the car-free setting. boulevardsundays.com

Summer Streets
New York
On three consecutive Saturdays in August, the nation’s largest city turns over more than seven miles of roadways to pedestrians from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park along Lafayette Street and Park Avenue. Along with biking and walking, in previous years there has been swimming in giant dumpsters converted to pools. And there’s also the thrill of not having to share a slice of the city with cars. "When you sit down in the middle of the street and look at the architecture, it’s amazing,” Lydon says. Dates: Aug. 6, 13 and 20. nyc.gov/summerstreets

Atlanta Streets Alive
This quarterly program, organized by the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, has grown over the years and now attracts more than 100,000 participants. Lydon likes how street closures shift between neighborhoods. “It has really taken off. It brings these wonderful events to every part of the city.”  Next event: June 12, covering about three miles of Peachtree Street. atlantastreetsalive.com

Open Streets Minneapolis
One of the surest signs that summer has arrived in Minnesota comes when Minneapolis kicks off its Open Streets program. The June-October events have helped build support for bike lanes and other alternatives to car-based transportation. Participants can even get a free bus pass on the event website. “It’s almost every few weeks in the summertime,” Lydon says. Next event: July 10. openstreetsmpls.org

Open Streets PGH
Pittsburgh
This initiative started just a few years ago, and has expanded to three events. Each covers the same route, stretching from downtown through flatter parts of the city. “They’ve had huge amounts of people come out for this. It’s a way for people to engage with each other, which you don’t see in a normal day with all the traffic,” Lydon says. Activities range from Zumba classes to arts and crafts tables. Next event: June 26. openstreetspgh.org

Portland (Ore.) Sunday Parkways
This nearly decade-old initiative creates different car-free routes to connect neighborhoods and their parks. Activities includes street entertainers, vendors and kids’ activities. The city will show off its program in August, when it hosts the Open Streets Summit, a meeting of organizers and policy makers from around the world. Next event: June 26. portlandsundayparkways.org

New Brunswick (N.J.) Ciclovia
In this densely-populated city, Open Streets organizers focus on reaching out to the large Hispanic community. “The emphasis is on health-related screenings and info,” Lydon says. Next event: June 25. newbrunswickciclovia.com

Ride the Drive
Madison, Wis.
Now in its eighth year, this annual summer program opens the capital city’s main streets to pedestrians and bicyclists. “This is a great one because it’s along a lake and circles downtown,” Lydon says. The ride is coordinated with the city’s popular farmers market. “It’s a big community-wide event and it’s a wonderful scene.” Next event: July 31. cityofmadison.com/parks/ridethedrive

Siclovia
San Antonio
The Alamo City’s YMCA organizes an Open Streets program, emphasizing the ease of getting around by bicycle. “The whole point is to open people’s eyes that things aren’t very far away, and that they can bike and walk,” Lydon says. Activities include a 5K run and exercise classes. Next event: Sept. 25. siclovia.org