GONZALES — A new event to promote bicycling and fitness is making its way to South County for the first time this Sunday, Sept. 9, in Gonzales.
Ciclovía Gonzales will close down several streets from 1 to 6 p.m. to host different activities supporting an active community.
According to Gonzales Youth Commissioner Nayeli Gomez, the event promotes fitness and health.
“Ciclovía is an event that aims to get the community out and active,” Gomez said.
Ciclovía, a Spanish term for “cycleway or bike path,” comes to Gonzales this year after first taking place in Salinas. Several organizations are coming together to collaborate on the event, including the Gonzales Youth Council, the city’s public safety and recreation department, the Monterey County Health Department and Building Healthy Communities.
The streets that will be used for Ciclovía Gonzales include Fourth Street from Alta and Elko, Elko to First Street and First Street to Center.
Activities for the event include a raffle for such prizes as bikes, a kids zone with games and music, and booths from more than 40 community resource agencies that will provide information.
The event is being funded by a grant that the Monterey County Health Department received from the CalTrans Active Transportation Program.
Ciclovía Gonzales is the second open street event in Monterey County and is part of a larger strategy to support and encourage active transportation and improve health and wellbeing in the county.
Other sponsors include Cal Trans, Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System, Transportation Agency for Monterey County, Natividad Hospital and First 5.
