Fort Bliss Monitor

Courtesy Photo

A Ciclovia particpant pedals a chopper on Scenic Drive.

Taking to the streets
Ciclovia offers chance to
get out, get moving

Heather Wilburn
Special to the Monitor

It’s time to get outside. That’s the message behind Ciclovia.

From 7 to 11 a.m. each Sunday in May, El Paso will close sections of Rim Road, Scenic Drive, Alabama Street and McKelligon Canyon Road to motorized traffic, giving area residents a chance to take to the streets.

Ciclovia, which means “bicycle path,” will give people the chance to walk, run, bike, rollerblade, walk the dog, play soccer – to do almost anything as long as it doesn’t involve a motorized vehicle – on the city’s streets, in a safe environment.

“The name carries the connotation that it’s a bike path, but it’s far from it,” said Julie Baldwin, spokeswoman for the city of El Paso. “It’s a recreational space available for anyone to use. It’s great to see the various uses to which people can put Ciclovia.”

Some areas of the route, such as Scenic Drive, have a steep incline and may be difficult for some participants. However, the Rim Road and Alabama Street sections should prove easy enough for children and the elderly.

Those taking part in Ciclovia can find parking at Lower Tom Lea Park, Newman Park and McKelligon Canyon. Posted signs will direct participants to additional parking lots open to the public.

The concept of Ciclovia began more than 20 years ago in Bogota, Columbia, when the city began reserving selected streets for pedestrian use only. Now, nearly a million people fill the roads of Bogota every Sunday morning.

“Ciclovia has really taken off throughout Latin American countries,” said Roberto “Beto” O’Rourke, El Paso District 8 representative. “They’ve really taken to the idea of taking the parks to the streets.”

“El Paso is one of the pioneers in bringing this exciting event to the United States,” Baldwin said. “The effort started in 2005, and we were supposed to have our first Ciclovia in September 2006.”

The fierce weather experienced during that time led to the postponement of the event, which kicked off Sunday.

The first day of Ciclovia proved a great success. The only thing missing, O’Rourke said, was a large contingent from Fort Bliss.

“There were a lot of people out, there were no traffic incidents; it was a huge success,” he said. “We’d love to see more people from Fort Bliss come and join us, especially those who aren’t as familiar with the El Paso area, because it gives them a chance to become familiar with the city in a way in which they can’t from their automobiles.”

“It’s a different way to see the city,” Baldwin explained. “It allows you to stop, take time and really observe what’s around you.”

“There are a number of reasons El Paso needed an event like Ciclovia,” said O’Rourke, who was instrumental in brining Ciclovia to the city.

“The first thing it addresses is the shortage of recreational capacity in El Paso, the fact that there is not enough park space for the city’s residents,” he said. Measured on a per-capita basis, El Paso has just 25 percent the park capacity of other major cities in the U. S.
“Opening up the streets to people for any kind of physical activity … gives people a way to get outside, enjoy the sun, meet their neighbors,” O’Rourke said. “It gives people a way to see their city in a way that they don’t always get a chance to see it.”

Another reason El Paso needs Ciclovia, O’Rourke said, is to benefit the health of the city’s population.

“Our population has one of the highest occurrences of overweight or obese people and of diabetes in the nation,” he said, referring to a report by the Pan American Health Organization.

“People have a valid excuse for not getting out,” O’Rourke said. “There’s not a lot of park space. There aren’t a lot of bike lanes. So you have a population that is overweight, with a high prevalence of diabetes, and not a lot of recreational space. Each problem compounds the other.

“Ciclovia helps get people used to being outside. Hopefully it can encourage a lifestyle change,” he said.

For more information, visit the Ciclovia Web site at www.cicloviaelpaso.com.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	May 10, 2007

	Courtesy Photo A Ciclovia particpant pedals a chopper on Scenic Drive. Taking to the streets Ciclovia offers chance to get out, get moving Heather Wilburn Special to the Monitor It’s time to get outside. That’s the message behind Ciclovia. From 7 to 11 a.m. each Sunday in May, El Paso will close sections of Rim Road, Scenic Drive, Alabama Street and McKelligon Canyon Road to motorized traffic, giving area residents a chance to take to the streets. Ciclovia, which means “bicycle path,” will give people the chance to walk, run, bike, rollerblade, walk the dog, play soccer – to do almost anything as long as it doesn’t involve a motorized vehicle – on the city’s streets, in a safe environment. “The name carries the connotation that it’s a bike path, but it’s far from it,” said Julie Baldwin, spokeswoman for the city of El Paso. “It’s a recreational space available for anyone to use. It’s great to see the various uses to which people can put Ciclovia.” Some areas of the route, such as Scenic Drive, have a steep incline and may be difficult for some participants. However, the Rim Road and Alabama Street sections should prove easy enough for children and the elderly. Those taking part in Ciclovia can find parking at Lower Tom Lea Park, Newman Park and McKelligon Canyon. Posted signs will direct participants to additional parking lots open to the public. The concept of Ciclovia began more than 20 years ago in Bogota, Columbia, when the city began reserving selected streets for pedestrian use only. Now, nearly a million people fill the roads of Bogota every Sunday morning. “Ciclovia has really taken off throughout Latin American countries,” said Roberto “Beto” O’Rourke, El Paso District 8 representative. “They’ve really taken to the idea of taking the parks to the streets.” “El Paso is one of the pioneers in bringing this exciting event to the United States,” Baldwin said. “The effort started in 2005, and we were supposed to have our first Ciclovia in September 2006.” The fierce weather experienced during that time led to the postponement of the event, which kicked off Sunday. The first day of Ciclovia proved a great success. The only thing missing, O’Rourke said, was a large contingent from Fort Bliss. “There were a lot of people out, there were no traffic incidents; it was a huge success,” he said. “We’d love to see more people from Fort Bliss come and join us, especially those who aren’t as familiar with the El Paso area, because it gives them a chance to become familiar with the city in a way in which they can’t from their automobiles.” “It’s a different way to see the city,” Baldwin explained. “It allows you to stop, take time and really observe what’s around you.” “There are a number of reasons El Paso needed an event like Ciclovia,” said O’Rourke, who was instrumental in brining Ciclovia to the city. “The first thing it addresses is the shortage of recreational capacity in El Paso, the fact that there is not enough park space for the city’s residents,” he said. Measured on a per-capita basis, El Paso has just 25 percent the park capacity of other major cities in the U. S. “Opening up the streets to people for any kind of physical activity … gives people a way to get outside, enjoy the sun, meet their neighbors,” O’Rourke said. “It gives people a way to see their city in a way that they don’t always get a chance to see it.” Another reason El Paso needs Ciclovia, O’Rourke said, is to benefit the health of the city’s population. “Our population has one of the highest occurrences of overweight or obese people and of diabetes in the nation,” he said, referring to a report by the Pan American Health Organization. “People have a valid excuse for not getting out,” O’Rourke said. “There’s not a lot of park space. There aren’t a lot of bike lanes. So you have a population that is overweight, with a high prevalence of diabetes, and not a lot of recreational space. Each problem compounds the other. “Ciclovia helps get people used to being outside. Hopefully it can encourage a lifestyle change,” he said. For more information, visit the Ciclovia Web site at www.cicloviaelpaso.com.