Ciclovía is a health and community based initiative which closes a part of a city to traffic, on a given day, for a specific period of time, in which cyclists are given the opportunity to ride through the traffic free zone of the City. Next weekend, Ciclovía will take place in Belfast for the first time. It takes place on Sunday 4th October at 9.00am.
Starting at Botanic Gardens following a route along Botanic Avenue, Shaftesbury Square, Dublin Rd, Bedford St to the City Hall and then returning along the same route. This “freeway” will be open for the duration of the event. Both locations will also feature community, cultural and sporting events.
Ciclovía is also an opportunity to create a mini festival environment which will attract and encourage people to come into the City centre, on their bikes, and enjoy the freedom of the City and sense of community. This is a completely FREE event to take part in.
It is designed to give the public ownership of their City , to encourage family participation, to encourage healthier lifestyles and to encourage and engender community spirit.
Ciclovia events have previously taken place in locations as far apart as Brownsville in Texas, Bogota in Colombia and Bristol in England.
