CicLAvia's 5th Annual Event Hopes To Encourage Bike Riding

STUDIO CITY (CBS) — If the latest spike in gas prices has got you rethinking your preferred mode of transportation, this Sunday's CicLAvia event is for you.

Nidia Garcia stopped by KCAL9 Friday to discuss the fifth annual event in which Angelenos are treated to nine miles of car-free road for biking, walking and playing.  He was joined by Spencer Cavanaugh and Fabrizio Robalino, a couple of Loyola High School freshmen who showed off their newest invention — BlenderBike 2.0.

Harnessing the energy given off by a bicycle, Cavanaugh and Robalino make delicious blended beverages that have even caught the mayor's attention.

Here's some information about this weekend's CicLAvia event:

WHAT — Los Angeles is celebrating its fifth CicLAvia, transforming 9.1 miles of normally congested streets into a car-free, linear park for strolling, biking, playing, and experiencing the city from a new perspective.  CicLAvia has quickly become Los Angeles' most popular public event, consistently attracting more than 100,000 participants.

WHEN — Sunday, October 7, 2012, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

WHERE — The route offers a veritable grand tour of Los Angeles' most celebrated attractions, connecting the world-class museums of Exposition Park with the architectural landmarks surrounding the newly completed Grand Park in the city's civic center, where CicLAvia will converge with the Music Center's inaugural celebration on the park's performance lawn.  The new route offers an unparalleled opportunity to survey Los Angeles' cultural and culinary riches, including MacArthur Park's majestic views, downtown's bustling cafés and pubs, and historic Little Tokyo, with new extensions through the heart of Chinatown and Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights.  There will also be a wide variety of activities, both planned and spontaneous, for people of all interests.

HUBS — The CicLAvia route includes six hubs, each situated in the heart of a unique neighborhood and accessible by Metro Rail: MacArthur Park; Exposition Park; Grand Park at Civic Center; Central Plaza in Chinatown; and Mariachi Plaza and Soto Station in Boyle Heights.  Each hub will feature a wide array of family-friendly activities.  Each hub offers free water, portable and wheelchair-accessible restrooms and first-aid stations.

To get the latest information on CicLAvia's hub activity, or to download maps, visit its website.

ADDITIONAL INFO — CicLAvia is free of charge and open to all.  No reservations are required.  To keep up with the latest CicLAvia news, become a fan on Facebook or follow it on Twitter.

GETTING THERE — The Metro lines have several stops within a block of the CicLAvia route and at all of its hubs.  Attendees need a Tap Card in order to ride Metro, and they are encouraged to purchase their cards in advance.  To learn how, visit their website or call (323) GO-METRO.

• Metrolink offers a Weekend Pass for only $10.  This pass allows a rider to ride anytime, anywhere system-wide from 7 p.m. on Friday through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday.  The Weekend Pass offers free connectivity to rail or bus throughout Southern California.  Metrolink has also added extra bike cars to its service on the day of CicLAvia.  For more information please visit their website.

• Additionally, designated parking lots will be available for CicLAvia attendees and strategically located for ease and access.