Greater City ProvidenceFree Bike Helmets and Fittings for Children and Adults, Bike Collection by Recycle-A-Bike
PROVIDENCE, RI – On Sunday, July 28, Mayor Angel Taveras and the City of Providence will host the second of three Cyclovía events in Providence this summer, opening Valley Street exclusively to bicyclists, pedestrians, runners and skaters for the first time.
Cyclovía is a car-free event that opens the street for people of all ages to walk, skate, run, bicycle, exercise and socialize. A half-mile stretch of Valley Street will be closed to traffic during the event.
“Cyclovía provides Providence residents with a safe and fun environment that promotes cycling, walking and community interaction – all elements of a healthy, balanced lifestyle,” said Mayor Angel Taveras. “Residents from across the city will have the opportunity to enjoy their neighborhoods and to experience the great things that Providence has to offer.”
Sponsored by Mayor Angel Taveras in collaboration with the Healthy Communities Office and the Providence Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission, and supported by Trinity Brewhouse, Walgreens, REI and the Providence Department of Parks and Recreation, Cyclovía will include bicycle workshops, Zumba, street vendors and more.
- Recycle-A-Bike and REI will provide bicycle tune ups
- Recycle-A-Bike Valet will provide valet bike parking
- Clínica Esperanza will sponsor Zumba aerobic dance lessons at 12 p.m. and 1 p.m.
- YMCA’s Y on the Move inflatable obstacle course will be at the event from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- REI’s Nature’s Gym outdoor workout program (in Spanish)
- Eyes of the World/Yoga and Pilates Passport will provide yoga at 11:30 a.m.
Free bike helmets and fittings will be provided to children and adults through the Rhode Island Department of Health, the YMCA of Greater Providence, and the Injury Prevention Center at Rhode Island Hospital. The helmets will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis while supplies last.
Recycle-A-Bike will also sponsor a bike collection at the event. Donated bikes will be refurbished through programs like Build-A-Bike, Wrenching Wednesdays, and Open Shop, and distributed to newly arrived refugees, students, city youth, and others. Recycle-A-Bike accepts all types of bicycles in all conditions including cruisers, road, mountain, and BMX bikes.
Other healthy activities will be offered by community partners, including Olneyville Housing Corporation, Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, United Way of Rhode Island, Rhode Island Bicycle Coalition, East Coast Greenway, RIPTA, Red Cross of Rhode Island, Environmental Justice League, and more.
Cyclovía is an international phenomenon that reportedly began in Bogotá, Colombia and has spread to cities across the globe, including New York City, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami, and Cambridge, MA.
Project for Public Spaces (PPS), a nonprofit planning organization, has described Cyclovía as a large-scale community building exercise that facilitates social interaction and activity between people of all ages, incomes, occupations, religions, and races.
Providence held its first-ever Cyclovía in September 2012 on Broad Street. This year, the City of Providence expanded Cyclovías to include three dates and locations, beginning with Broad Street in late June and ending with Hope Street (between Lippitt Park and Rochambeau Avenue) on Sunday, September 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information, visit ProvidenceRI.com.
Jef Nickerson
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