Cyclovia Fall 2025: A Welcome Return to a Thriving Route
Cyclovia Tucson came back to the “Thrive in the 05” zone for our 23rd event bringing community together for a Sunday full of car-free carefree streets and family fun all day. This time around, our route went through the neighborhoods of Dunbar Spring, Barrio Blue Moon, Bronx Park, and Old Pascua. Thanks to our title sponsor, Arizona Complete Health, there were so many ways to enjoy the day and so many community members’ voices in the streets during Cyclovia.
We have been grateful for the chance to collaborate with incredible neighborhood ambassadors—Sam Bloom from Dunbar Spring, Mimi and P from Barrio Blue Moon, and Annalisa from Old Pascua. Each of them shaped their neighborhood hub in ways that felt in more alignment with their community, reflecting the needs and hopes of their neighbors while leading with creativity and care. We look forward to working with them again, even more closely and with more time to dream together next time around.
Photo by Kathleen Drier
Dunbar Spring Hub
On the southern end of the route, our Dunbar Spring hub was bustling with activities, community groups, food and drink, and entertainment. Imago Dei Middle School brought Plinko while IDEA School had a bike decorating station set up for folks to jazz out their helmets. Pima County Department of Environmental Quality’s Clean Air Program had information and resources for saving money and conserving energy while the Ward 1 office have information and prizes related to mobile advocacy from FUGA (Familias Unidas Ganando Accesibilidad). There were games and zines from AZ Luminaria and free bike repair from Roadrunner Bicycles. Drinks and food were excellent from BlackJack Citrus Infusions and Patricia’s Cuban Kitchen.
Neighborhood resident and co-executive director of Splinter Collective, Sam Bloom, brought an entire lineup of DJ’s, performers, and kids activities, celebrating all day long with Black joy and queer joy in community in the Dunbar / Spring neighborhood.
Arizona Complete Health Hub at Pima Community College Downtown
The route crossed Speedway boulevard at 10th ave, where the 9th ave/Castro Bike Boulevard received some upgrades on the Pima Community College’s Downtown campus. Arizona Complete Health brought out medical professional in vans to do mobile health screenings and wellness checks while Pima Community College gave machine shop tours and a student musical performance. Epic Rides had bike swag and ICCU brought their fun Money Machine in which kids could collect dollars to open a savings account with their credit union. GABA (Greater Arizona Bicycling Association) was one of our two helmet sponsors this event and they offered helmet fitting and decoration at their station. There was so much good food at this hub: Sumaj Bolivian Street Food, Wiki-licious Hawaiian donuts, Jozarelli’s Italian food, and more!
Esquer Park Hub
As the route went west, we entered Barrio Blue Moon where our next hub was placed at Francisco Elias Esquer Park (or simply Esquer Park to neighbors). This hub was characterized by direct community resources and joyous family fun. Neighborhood residents and Cyclovia ambassadors, Mimi and P, wanted to prioritize things like pet vaccines and tagging for their neighbors with the help of PACC, housing education and services from groups like The Primavera Foundation, the Homeless ID Project, and the Thrive in the 05 team from Housing and Community Development, and outreach from the Blue Moon Garden just one block away. Banner University Medicine was there with not only free helmets but their Trauma Outreach team was also out to educate kids about how to wear helmets safely to reduce brain injuries. These services and resources were paired with fun activities like an all-ages skill course from Project Bike Club and interactive circus performances from The Circus and Aerial Academy of Tucson, or you could share what you love about Tucson at the Visit Tucson booth. Lastly, people could enjoy one of Smoothie Revolution’s cold drinks or a treat from the IRC Global Market at the neighborhood lounge in the park.
Thank you to all of the neighbors who contributed their creativity, who invited different groups to join, who knocked on doors to invite people, and who celebrated in our streets together.
Old Pascua Hub
The route turned North from Esquer Park to travel towards the community of Old Pascua. This hub was hosted at the Richey Resource Center, a community space central to the neighborhood. Annalisa Sanchez worked with neighbors and a local youth council to provide an art station and fun carnival games. Local Yoeme artist Brandon Varela set up a mural painting at the resource center’s basketball court. The Pascua Yaqui Tribal Offices brought resources and fun games for kids. AARP Arizona had prizes to win (including a bike!) and there were delicious treats by Gordo Dogs and Bugaloo’s Ice Cream. So many people enjoyed spending time at this hub, playing games, taking a rest in the shade after walking or biking much of the route, and watching the mural come to life.
Thank you to the co-organizers of this hub and the neighbors of Old Pascua for sharing the beautiful open streets with us on that day!
Bronx Park Hub
The final hub was situated in the Bronx Park neighborhood and this is where Living Streets Alliance had our merchandise tent and beer garden with beer from Dragoon Brewing and Pueblo Vida Brewing. Folks could rest under the tent shade we put up but also under various large mesquite trees being fed by large chicanes installed in streets nearest this hub. Bicas brought out their mutant bikes for kids to ride as Transit Cycles repaired bikes for participants. The Gloo Factory had button making machines for everyone to try their hand at while Ward 3 council member, Kevin Dahl, opened up his “door” to the community for an Ask Me Anything style conversation. Many of the City of Tucson departments were out giving prizes for playing fun games and learning about local improvement projects and Tucson Water brought their Hydration Station! The food at this hub was a crowd pleaser. Rodney of Grandma’s Recipes Catering provided the savory with classic BBQ foods while Churros Inzunza had the sweet tooth covered with churros.
Our Volunteers Make This Event Possible
Cyclovia is made possible with the many hours of fun and involvement lent to us by over 150 volunteers. Volunteering is a great way to contribute to open streets. Here are some things volunteers have said about why they love volunteering with Cyclovia:
I get to see how excited everyone is about Cyclovia. It’s a joyous day that makes me feel very connected to my community. For volunteers, it’s a small commitment of time and it will make you feel terrific. - Robin Steinberg
It's a chance to see so many happy people having fun. - Jorge Garqza
I am committed to the promotion of cycling as a form of exercise and a way to slow down dependence on fossil fuel. - Laura Lund
SMILES FOR MILES! Pure. Joy. - Summer Franks
Photo by Kathleen Drier
Excitement for the New Year Ahead
All of us at Living Streets Alliance truly enjoy the Tucson community coming together on a Sunday to transform public space into something more than just a road for cars. We all can imagine how our city could be healthier, safer, and more enjoyable if we voiced our need for more walkable, bikeable, and accessible streets by challenging old patterns and demand change from our decision makers.
LSA staff, Board and volunteers are so grateful for the community partners on this and every Cyclovia, who continue to demonstrate what it means to engage their own communities and build a broad and joyful movement for better streets for everyone.
We can’t wait to do it again in just a few months! Keep an eye out for more details. We'd love your feedback and involvement in the Open Streets movement in Tucson. Get in touch if you feel inspired to help make the next Cyclovia events even better.
