On April 14 You Won't Be Able to Drive on the Houston Street Viaduct. But Cycle? Sure Thing.

By Robert Wilonsky Thu., Feb. 23 2012 at 9:19 AM

Last March council members Delia Jasso and Pauline Medrano joined Dallas Bike Coordinator Max Kalhammer and others for a bike ride through Seville, Spain, with Jasso sending word that the locals were strapping on their thinking helmets for a possible ciclovía somewhere in Dallas, which means turning over a complete street to cyclists. Not long after that Bike Friendly Oak Cliff received a $5,000 grant from Bikes Belong, with the money aimed toward creating "the first car-free streets day in Dallas" intended to "show the appeal of car-free public spaces."

Finally, we'll get to see what that looks like.

Late yesterday -- on the 100th anniversary of the Houston Street Viaduct, no less -- BFOC sent word that the Ciclovia de Dallas 2012 is set for April 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and that it will entail closing off the bridge to auto traffic. Promises BFOC, there will be everything from live music to bike races to yoga to kite-flying; food trucks and urban markets too, of course. We're behind: Fort Worth's already had two such "open streets" events.

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Childrenrn

I am apalled at the amount of negativity on this comment page! What are you people doing to make Dallas a better place!!?? Just tell me one thing!! How awesome is it that people will get together and exercise in different modalities without dangerous cars right here in beautiful Downtown Dallas! Try looking on the bright side.Thank you City of Dallas, Bike Friendly Oak Cliff and Bikes Belong and Jonathan Braddick!Hopefully most people are grateful...

Jonathan Braddick

The bridge was chosen because it severely cuts back the amount of police and equipment we need in order to shutdown at least a mile of city street within the center of the city. BFOC is a non-profit and every bit of the $5,000 grant will be used to make this event happen. Many of the participants and volunteers are doing this on their own dime and time. We initially looked at taking it through downtown, but there was not enough money. We hope what we do on the entire stretch of the bridge on April 14th from 9-3pm will be worth your Saturday afternoon. Please help spread the word, it's free to attend and free to criticize, but hold off on your criticisms until the event. I promise you won't be disappointed!

I'smomma'sspeciallil'helper

Why'd it take them going to Spain to figure this out? Cities around the U.S. have been doing this for awhile now.

Mike

What is "experiencing a place without cards?". I guess proof reading your web site for the event per the AT&T ad is so 25 seconds ago.

Jonathan Braddick

Thanks for pointing that out, it's been fixed.

Montemalone

Must run for city council. (and win)I know I'll be able to solve all Dallas' problems, with a few (dozen) trips to other World Class Cities to recon what makes them so.

Tom L (No, not that L)

Huh. Closing Houston Street Viaduct for bikes? Not the event I thought it would be.

Ed D.

It does sound like a lot of fun, but how is this a better demonstration of "the appeal of car-free public spaces" than a carnival set up in a mall parking lot? Or will car-free bridges typically feature bands, yoga, and food trucks every day?

Also, food trucks? Why not push-carts or pedal-carts instead?

Anon

I wondered the same thing. the state fair shows us each year how nice it is to be in a place free of cars, and it's the closest thing North Texas has to an interesting people-watching experience (the mall is just lots of versions of the same people).

Wylie H.

It will be interesting to see how this turns out. I've experienced weekly ciclovias (typically on Sunday) in Rio de Janiero, Mexico City and Jakarta-- they are always a good time.