Pima County is proud to be a sponsor of Cyclovia Tucson, an annual free and “car-free event that opens selected streets to people so that they can walk, skate, run, bicycle, and socialize with their neighbors.”

This year’s event, on Sunday, March 18, will close to cars – and bring a variety of activities to – most of South Fourth and South Eighth avenues between downtown and Interstate 10.

Pima County has committed $15,000 a year for the next three years to Cyclovia Tucson.  It has also arranged a safe route for cyclists to Cyclovia from The Loop, 55 miles of off-street bike and pedestrian paths being developed around metropolitan Tucson.

“Pima County is committed to improving the quality of life for the entire community through our continued investment in recreational programs for all ages,” Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry said.

“Development of The Loop is one such investment.  The community feedback has prompted us to expand our wellness offerings to include bicycle training, sponsored rides and other bicycle-related activities.  The more healthy activities the region provides, the better.”

Emily Yetman, 2012 Event Coordinator for Cyclovia Tucson and President of the local nonprofit, Living Streets Alliance, welcomed the County’s support.

“The County has been a leader in promoting health and wellness in the region,” Yetman said, “and we see this as a great partnership since Cyclovia Tucson is all about getting people out to get exercise, have fun, discover more about our community, and give ‘people-powered’ transportation a try.  We’re thrilled!”

The County’s financial support will come from the Pima County Bicycling and Pedestrian Program.

Cyclists on The Loop will be able to ride to Cyclovia via the bike and pedestrian path on the east side of the Santa Cruz River Park through Verdugo Park at West 19th Street and onto West 18th Street to South Eighth Avenue (see map below).  Guided rides to the event from various parts of the Tucson area are also being organized.

Pima County’s programs and services – including its educational, sustainability and environmental efforts; The Loop; and the Pima County Public Library and Health Department – will be highlighted at Santa Rita Park, South Fourth Avenue and East 22nd Street.

For more information about Cyclovia Tucson, visit www.cycloviatucson.org.

For more information about the following Pima County programs, check out the following links:

Bicycle and Pedestrian Program, including free bicycle safety classes, http://bikeped.pima.gov.

The Loop,  www.pima.gov/TheLoop

New Loop video, www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3Etsx13J3M

Public Library,  www.library.pima.gov

Health Department,  www.pimahealth.org

Sustainability efforts,  www.pima.gov/Sustainability/

Environmental programs,  www.deq.pima.gov

Las Artes GED program,  www.pima.gov/CED/CR/LasArtes.html

Buffelgrass eradication efforts,  www.pima.gov/nrpr/eeduc/volunteers/sdweedwackers

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 at 10:06 am and is filed under Parks & Recreation, Pima County, Southern Arizona, The Loop, Transportation, Tucson. Tags for this post: biking, families, recreation, sustainability, The Loop, walking. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.