November Highlights
November’s Tour de 4th was a smashing success!
Thanks to the many businesses, community organizations, artists, and neighbors who hosted Cyclovia on 4th Ave once again this year (remixed).
Touring 4th
While we couldn’t block off the streets this year, Cyclovia Remix brought people together to ride bikes in safer, larger numbers. Fifty riders of all ages took over the Fontana & 4th Ave Bike Boulevards on our group ride. We rode through the City of Tucson’s latest Slow Street project on Kelso, and of course, capped off the ride with lunch at sponsor BK Tacos.
Some riders took the group to new heights!
Photos from the group ride captured by Street Team Volunteer Justin Paluch
Celebrating Art
Cyclovia collaborates with local artists to create a limited-edition sticker specific to each route. For November, Students from Drachman Montessori collaborated on a colorful design to represent their neighborhood. Over 100 of these stickers capturing quintessential 4th Avenue scenes were distributed at Remix events—these are the second of 6 collectibles that will get you a VIP Access Pass at Cyclovia in Spring 2022. If you missed a chance to grab one of these limited-edition stickers in November, you can still pick one up, along with a cool local gift, from route sponsors at Pop Cycle Shop.
Click to hear more from the Drachman designers
Sounds of the Route
Every story needs its soundtrack—this month’s events were scored with a route soundtrack handcrafted by local music connoisseurs at 4th Avenue’s own Wooden Tooth Records. Thanks to Kellen & Jake at Wooden Tooth for their inspired picks, and for sharing their inspiration and experiences of being a small business on 4th in a special interview.
Coming Together
We loved seeing so many of you among the 350 attendees at the Pop-up Party at Catalina Park this month. After a long COVID-hiatus, it’s wonderful to share space, reconnect and play. What’s more, this month’s event was able to provide over 130 people with their vaccine or booster shots, thanks to the hardworking Pima County Health Department medical team.
Events like these wouldn’t be possible without the collaboration of so many supporting organizations, partners and volunteers. We’re so grateful for each of their unique contributions!
Pima Department of Environmental Quality distributed bike light sets, safety information and swag
Parks and Recreation’s Ready, Set, Rec! van provided giant board games, lawn games and all manner of fun, family activities
Roadrunner Bicycles provided free bike repair—servicing brakes, chains and goathead-induced tire punctures!
University of Arizona Blue Chip Volunteers helped keep the park clean and engaged with participants at the bike decorating, chalk art, helmet-fitting and Cyclovia census stations
Pima County Health Department’s REACH program coordinated vaccines and brought community resources
The Historic 4th Ave Coalition came out to take a survey about safety & improvements in the area
West University Neighborhood Association set up a kid’s table and brought their neighbors
Frozen Delight Ice Cream and Tucson newcomer SGT of the South Cajun Food Truck kept us all going with absolutely delicious offerings
Collective Visioning for the Future
The City of Tucson Department of Transportation and Mobility was present at the Catalina Park Party to gather feedback from neighborhood residents and commuters alike on the proposed 6th Avenue Bike Boulevard Project. Cyclovia is happy to be a place that foster dialogue between Tucsonans and our local government around infrastructure that works for everyone. Stay tuned for updates on this and other projects affecting the route area!
While we met up together on 4th & Fontana during the month of November, neighbors, businesses, and community organizations contribute to the area’s resilience, creativity, culture, and social fabric all year round. Cyclovia seeks to celebrate the good that happens (and can happen) in these public spaces, but acknowledges that many neighborhoods lack the security and support from City infrastructure to have truly open streets. Wider progress happens by connecting with the people who have already created a sense of place, establishing trust and mutual exchange, and building equitable spaces for stories and decisions to be made by those historically left out of decision-making processes for the built-environment.
