USPS Publication Number 16300
T h is C om mu n i t y N ewsp a p er is a pu bl ica t ion of E sca m bia / S a n ta Rosa B a r Assoc ia t ion
Se r v i ng t he Fi r st Jud icial Ci rcu it
Section A, Page 1
Vol. 18, No. 12
Visit The Summation Weekly Online: www.summationweekly.com
March 21, 2018
1 Section, 8 Pages
Ciclovia
DOWNTOWN PENSACOLA OPENS ITS STREETS TO cyclists and pedestrians
by Tanner Yea
Spring is always an exciting time in Pensacola: after months
of long jackets and cold beaches, we can once again live that Florida lifestyle that others are so jealous of. And what better way to open up the season than to take to the streets to stretch your legs and feel the warm air?
That’s why on March 24, Ciclovia – Pensacola Open Streets returns to downtown Pensacola for its second year. This event rides off of last year’s breakout success, when over 10,000 people participated in the event. Ciclovia originally started in Bogota, Colombia in 1974 as a weekly event where people walked, biked, skateboarded or roller-skated through the streets – without the interference of motor vehicles. Forty-four years later, the event has spread across 400 cities around the world, including places like Guadalajara, Mexico and Capetown, South Africa. Pensacola has now emerged as yet another success story of the event. “Last year we drew thousands of visitors to downtown, many for the first time in years, and they had a blast,” said Rand Hicks, Ciclovia’s chairman. “We hope to do even better this year.” From 9 am to 2 pm, a large portion of downtown will be closed to motor vehicle traffic, allowing for pedestrian and self-powered vehicles to take over the streets. C l o s u r e s include Palafox Place from Romana Street to Plaza DeLuna, and Main Street from the Community Maritime Park to Bartram Park. In addition to cruising through the open streets of downtown like never before, music, vendors and other events will be
staged all throughout the area – including a Kids Area at Plaza DeLuna, health screenings and other activities. All of the activities will be free of charge. The event this year is primarily partnered with Humana. Other support comes from Visit Pensacola, the University of Florida Usha Kundu College of Health, rideON, the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County, and more. Ciclovia has also drawn a large amount of economic influx to the community. According to survey data from the University of West Florida and Visit Florida, increased spending during the event put over $597,000 into the economy, with people spending an average of $46 at the event. Over 42 percent of those surveyed also said they discovered a new business during the event they wouldn’t have normally been to in their spare time. “Over the last decade Pensacola has really reinvented itself as an urban center,” said Hicks. “The return of restaurants, retail and professionals has followed public and private investment in places like the Community Maritime Park and Plaza de Luna, the renovation of many historic buildings, as well as good sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly traffic rules. This all set the stage
for what is happening now: people returning to live downtown.” One of the main reasons for holding Ciclovia is to better public health. According to the 2016 Community
“If we want to change peoplesʼ behavior for the better, we need to show them what’s available. We think that once people see how easy it is to get around downtown without cars, they won’t be thinking about exercising, they will just be enjoying themselves.” Health Needs Assessment facilitated by the Florida Departments of Health in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties, around 60% of Escambia County is overweight – around the state average. This health issue has resulted in further high rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. “The obesity epidemic has underscored the value of exercise,” Hicks said. “That’s a plus for downtown, because urban centers are great for people looking for sidewalks and safe places to connect. If we want to change peoples’ʼ behavior for the better, we
need to show them what’s available. We think that once people see how easy it is to get around downtown without cars, they won’t be thinking about exercising, they will just be enjoying themselves.” Hicks said that the event will also help reduce pollution as well as show-off that downtown Pensacola is a peoplefriendly space that can serve as a model or getting out of our cars and using alternate forms of transport. He also stressed that it is a community-focused event, intended as a way for residents to meet people and represent themselves to organizations and businesses that make an impact in the community. Ciclovia does not seem to have an end in the near future, as the success of last year has only ramped up advertising and the overall scale of the event. Hicks hopes that Ciclovia will continue to be an annual tradition, and perhaps be held more frequently further on down the line. Ciclovia – Pensacola Open Streets will be held on Saturday, March 24 from 9 am to 2 pm on Palafox Place and Main Street. The event is free and open to the public for all ages. For more information on Ciclovia 2018 or to learn more about Pensacola Open Streets, visit PensacolaOpenStreets.com or contact Rand Hicks at PensacolaOpenStreets@ gmail.com.