Bikes take over east Salinas to promote safety and unity

On East Alisal, from Main Street to Sanborn Road, no cars were allowed.

“This event is to feel safe in our community and to actually feel like there’s a unity in our community,” said Nancy Chavira with Building Healthy Communities.

Event organizers said the fourth annual Ciclovia is all about youth empowerment, promoting health, physical education and the local economy.

“If we have the public going into those businesses, the taxes that they get charged, they stay here local,” said Chavira.

They also hope to change the narrative of east Salinas.

“Unfortunately there is a lot of stereotypes,” said South Salinas resident Adriana Marquez. “If certain people come to this area people seem to put their hands up and say well what are you doing here?”

“I think sometimes people think oh its ugly or it’s dangerous over there,” said North Salinas resident Alejandra Manzo.

Those stereotypes do not always ring true.

“For the most part there’s also some hardworking families that they wake up early, they come home late, and try to provide for their children,” said Salinas resident Isaac Marquez.

“This I think helps you see that it’s just like where you’re from,” said Manzo. “Everybody has their place and everybody thinks different, but we’re all a community and we should all get along and get to know eachother.”

The car free event also aims to educate locals about people powered transportation and the community resources in East Salinas.

“They have so many programs for the community, especially mental health, mental illness,” said Marquez. “Right now we have to deal with homelessness and they have so many outreach programs that are for that.”

Event organizers said their goal is to have more Ciclovias throughout the year.