Pasadena is shutting down a 2.7-mile stretch of Colorado Boulevard and Raymond Avenue to car traffic this Sunday, Nov. 15, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., as CicLAvia returns to the city for the first time in more than a decade. Parking along the route and the two temporary pop-up bike lanes will be banned starting at 4 a.m., and any vehicles left behind risk getting towed before most residents have even had their coffee.
The open-streets event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to CicLAvia, though the surrounding road closures stretch well beyond those hours. As reported by Pasadena Now, streets near the two activity hubs may begin closing as early as 6 a.m., and driveways along the route will be blocked from about 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. — meaning vehicles won't be able to enter or leave the route while those closures are in effect. Pasadena Now advises residents who need their cars that day to move them before 7 a.m. if their driveway sits on the route.
Anyone towed will need to retrieve their vehicle from the Pasadena Police Department at 207 Garfield Ave. by 3 p.m., or it will be impounded, per the same report. Drivers who aren't on foot or bike still have a few ways through: cars can cross the route at six designated intersections, including the Colorado Boulevard crossings at Fair Oaks Avenue, Los Robles Avenue, Lake Avenue and Hill Avenue, plus the Raymond Avenue crossings at Union and Green streets.
A Route Through Old Pasadena and Beyond
The route itself follows Colorado Boulevard from Pasadena Avenue to Allen Avenue and Raymond Avenue from Pacific Alley to Dayton Street, according to the City of Pasadena. Per Pasadena Now's reporting, the path winds through Old Pasadena, Playhouse Village and South Lake Avenue, connecting Metro's Memorial Park and Del Mar stations. Participants can hop on or off anywhere along the way, and the event allows people-powered vehicles, motorized wheelchairs and related disability vehicles, along with limited exceptions for e-bikes.
Two hubs anchor the route: the Memorial Park Hub at 145 N. Raymond Ave. and the Colorado Hub at 1778 E. Colorado Blvd., per Pasadena Now. The city's own update confirms both locations will offer free family-friendly activities, restrooms, water refilling stations, basic bike repair, bike parking and first aid. Free pedicab rides will shuttle visitors between the two hubs on a first-come, first-served basis, though riders must be able to step or transfer into the pedicab on their own.
Pop-Up Bike Lanes Stay Open to Cars
Beyond the main route, Pasadena is setting up two temporary Slow Streets pop-up bike lanes that remain open to vehicle traffic, unlike the main closure zone. The western segment runs one mile along Walnut Street from Raymond Avenue to Orange Grove Boulevard, then continues along Orange Grove to Rosemont Avenue, according to Pasadena Now's account. The eastern segment stretches one mile along Colorado Boulevard from Allen Avenue to San Gabriel Boulevard, linking East Colorado Boulevard to the Lamanda Park neighborhood.
ColoradoBoulevard.net confirms cars will still be allowed on both Slow Streets routes, a key distinction from the fully closed Colorado Boulevard and Raymond Avenue corridor.
Transit Detours Across the City
Pasadena Transit routes 10, 20, 33, 40 and 51s will detour from the start of service until no later than 6 p.m., according to Pasadena Transit. Pasadena Now's report adds that Metro lines 180, 267, 501, 660 and 662 will also detour from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. or while barricades remain up, and CicLAvia says all buses on the main route and pop-up lanes will be detoured regardless of agency. Riders on Foothill Transit are told to check that agency separately for service changes, per the same report.
A Rehearsal Ahead of the 2028 Olympics
Sunday's event marks Pasadena's first CicLAvia in 11 years, following an Open Streets event the city last hosted in May 2015, according to the City of Pasadena. CicLAvia Executive Director Romel Pascual said it had been 11 years since the organization held an event in Pasadena, and the organization has produced more than 65 Open Streets events across Southern California to date.
Pasadena Mayor Victor M. Gordo said CicLAvia brings the community together and lets people experience Pasadena streets in a new way, according to Pasadena Now's reporting. Beyond the community angle, Pasadena Now reports the November event is also intended to serve as a large-scale rehearsal for transportation planning, crowd management and public safety operations ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Pasadena City Council approved a $330,000 contract with CicLAvia Inc. without competitive bidding on July 13, alongside a required $240,000 local match, Pasadena Now reports. The event's total estimated cost comes to $740,000, with Metro providing $500,000 through its Open and Slow Streets grant program. CicLAvia says the event will proceed rain or shine. More information is available through ciclavia.org or by phone at 213-355-8500.
