Ciclovía Pilot Event
City of Richmond | June 16, 2026
Statement of the Issue
• Direction: City Council requested analysis of
Ciclovía Pilot
• Vision: Multiple annual events tied to festivals
• Pilot: Discuss idea to piggyback on Fiestas Patrias
Parade & Festival – Sat, Sept 12 (before, during
and after the parade)
2 Background
• Ciclovías create car-free spaces
– Began in Bogotá, Colombia
– Now is a global health/mobility strategy
– Encourages recreation and community building
– Programming includes fitness, food, bike repair, arts – Richmond has not hosted a standalone Ciclovía
3 Previous Council Action
4 Date Action
April 22, 2025 Council considered proposal to
design Ciclovía
May 6, 2025 Council directed staff to develop
pilot for Summer 2026
Recommended Actions
• Discuss proposed Fiestas Patrias Pilot
• Provide direction on whether this effort should
be prioritized considering existing workload
• Discuss impacts to ongoing traffic safety work
• Consider CBO option to lead event
5 Other Routes Considered
• Gaynor Avenue
• Hilltop Circle
• Marina Way
• Nevin Avenue
• Park Place
• Wagon Wheel Lane
• Dirt World/Greenway loop
6 23rd Street Ciclovía Pilot
• Proposed segment:
between Barrett
Ave. and Rheem
Ave. (0.8 miles)
– Integrated with
Fiestas Patrias
event on Sept 12
– Pre-, mid-, and
post-parade car-
free activities
7 Ciclovía Pilot
Route
23rd Street Ciclovía Pilot (cont.)
• Before the Parade (8 am to 10 am):
– Along 23rd Street in both directions (1.6-miles)
– Community members walk, roll and stroll
8 23rd Street Ciclovía Pilot (cont.)
• During the Parade (10 am to 12 noon):
– Along 23rd Street (0.8-mile)
– Parade spectators join back of parade
– Ciclovía “caboose” = Peoples Parade
9 23rd Street Ciclovía Pilot (cont.)
• After the Parade (12 noon to 3 pm):
– Along 23rd Street in both directions (1.6-miles)
– Walk, roll and stroll in car-free street
10 Strengths
• Builds on existing Fiestas Patrias event
• Activates corridor during planned closures
• Leverages staff already deployed
• Supports vibrant commercial frontage
• Aligns with community traditions
• Provides access to transit
11 Challenges
• Extends street closure duration
• Involves complex traffic control needs
• Impacts business loading/deliveries
• Requires stakeholder coordination
• Requires AC Transit detours
• Impacts staff resources, including staff
assigned to traffic safety
12 Operational Considerations
• Traffic control + detours
• Emergency access
• ADA /transit accessibility
• Staffing (Public Works + Police/Fire)
• Restrooms, waste and water stations
• Vendor coordination + permits
• Multilingual outreach + marketing
• Partnerships with nonprofits + businesses
• Programming: fitness, food, bike repair and arts
13 Financial Impact – Pilot Event
14 Item Description Cost Est.
Ambulance Available for emergencies $2,500
Fire 2 crews for 10-hour shifts $14,860
Police Extends shift by 5 hours for 10 officers, 1
sergeant and 1 lieutenant
$7,825
Programming Could include fitness classes, food
vendors, business pop-ups, arts and crafts
stations, music, performances, bike repair
$17,500
Security 29 security guards, private security
company, 10-hour shift
$11,500
Miscellaneous Restrooms, marketing, other $17,633
Contingency Includes 10% for unknown expenses $7,182
Total $79,000
Including event
barriers (rental)
Meridian barriers: 29 intersections
$66,000 (rental); $1.8 million (purchase)
$145,000
Public Outreach
• Targeted: merchants, CBOs,
parade committee, vendors
• Multilingual materials
• Recruit community ambassadors
• Coordinate with media outlets
• Post-event evaluation
• Report to Council
15 Ciclovía Vision
• Multiple annual events tied to major festivals
– Cinco de Mayo festival (May)
– Juneteenth parade (June)
– Fiestas Patrias Parade & Festival (September)
• Event sponsors would work with existing CBOs
and key stakeholders
16 Recommended Actions
• Discuss proposed Fiestas Patrias Pilot
• Provide direction on whether this effort should
be prioritized considering existing workload
• Discuss impacts to ongoing traffic safety work
• Consider CBO option to lead event
17 Ciclovía Pilot Event
City of Richmond | June 16, 2026