Yesterday the sunny streets of San Francisco were swarming with thousands of happy residents during another regular Sunday Streets event. Rivers of happy families filled the car-free avenues, listening to live music, biking, dancing, playing football, skateboarding, walking dogs, socializing with their neighbors, and just soaking up the beautiful spring day.
As I strolled down the middle of the block, I was struck by how great it felt to not have to fear being hit by a car. The crowded afternoon streets came alive with seas of active people. Bands were playing, some folks were doing yoga, while others were getting their bicycles fixed for free.
As I sauntered down Valencia Street I was engulfed by thousands of happy people talking, playing, and enjoying being physical out in the warm sun. Sunday Streets was modeled after the regular Ciclovias held in Colombia, and the free event has become increasingly popular in our city. It was thrilling to see so many people joined together, having fun with each other, and joyously celebrating the temporary liberation of our streets from dangerous automobiles.
Free public events like Sunday Streets are wonderful shared experiences which bring out the best of our humanity. Families come together, neighbors and strangers become friends, and everyone is engaging in healthy physical activity. These festive street adventures highlight the best parts of San Francisco; they give me hope both for our local community, and for our future.
Here are a few more photos from the Mission District Ciclovía yesterday:
I ran into Chris Carlsson, the writer, activist and co-founder of Critical Mass. It's difficult to believe that the monthly biking event turns 20 years old this September.
This adorable ten-year old bull terrier is named Otto.
All photos taken on 6/3/2012
About Rhonda Winter
This looks so awesome! We had a similar event here in Atlanta recently. They don’t do it monthly, but they’re trying to do them somewhat regularly. It’s so awesome to walk down the middle of a normally car-clogged street. Empowering, in a way, right?
It is an amazing feeling to be able to just stroll down the middle of the street safely — incredibly empowering. It makes one realize the tremendous power of liberating public space from automobiles so that humans can enjoy it.