San Jose Hosts Inaugural “ViaVelo” Event Celebrating Cycling

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

San Jose Hosts Inaugural “ViaVelo” Event Celebrating Cycling

San Jose, California, recently joined cities around the world in promoting car-free streets by hosting its first ciclovía, the Mattson Technology ViaVelo, which opened a portion of San Fernando Street in downtown to pedestrians, bicycle riders, and skaters. San Jose's first foray into ciclovía events was a hit with sponsors, elected officials and the throngs of people who showed up to enjoy the day. Though the city hasn't yet committed to more ViaVelos, the foundation has been set and the community seems poised to embrace them.

Clarence Eckerson, Jr.

To all the college kids out there who want to make Streetfilms one day, John Hamilton has mastered the art of shooting video while blading. If you practice becoming a great skater, one day you will be making movies in this business. For sure. Great footage, great job!
http://www.bikesiliconvalley.com Carlos Babcock

Thanks Clarence,
First met you at Portland's Sunday Streets. After participating in that wonderful event, it was great to see this finally happen. This will be the first of many more. John was fantastic. Thanks Streetfilms and Streetsblog.
http://www.cyclelicio.us/ Richard Masoner

Love it!

I didn't catch him on his skates, but here's a "behind the scenes" of John Hamilton in San Jose.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bike/4610215293/
http://www.victrolux.com/ Victor Ingrassia

Super cool!
Hans Larsen

A big thanks to Streetfilms and Streetsblog for the great coverage of San Jose’s first open street festival – ViaVelo. Please know that your reporting of worldwide best practices has had a significant influence on San Jose’s firm embrace of the livable streets movement and the recent adoption of a policy goal to become one of the best bicycling cities in America. A few years ago, the Streetfilm on Physically Separated Bike Lanes kicked off a fascination with the Streetfilm "library" and how auto-oriented cities can transform themselves into more livable communities by following the paths taken by such diverse places as Bogota, Copenhagen, New York City and Portland. On behalf of the San Jose Department of Transportation, thanks for the education, inspiration and now the validation that San Jose is on a journey that is Streetfilm-worthy!
http://www.livablestreets.com/people/grenavitar Fritz

The head of a city DOT who wears a Copenhagen shirt AND comments on StreetFilms. Now if only we could get all city and state (where the real money is) DOTs to think that way.

Great video, best of luck to San Jose.
Kheggem3

Man, I will tell ya. As someone who is an Ex-patriot if San Jose... partially due ot cost of living AND the bike infrastructure ills... I am moved by the changes taking place.
It was not unusual for folks to nearly run me down, even in bike lanes, some 6 years ago before we moved to PDX.
They would honk if I was turning in a turn lane at a light like I had no business being there.
Serious Share The Road campaign is likely needed, but I am proud of my hometown for taking steps toward a more livable and bike friendly city.
Cheers!
Jamie Croft

hi can u show me some cool rims off some cars so i can show them 2 my uncle so he can put it on his cars so he can do raceis and can u make hoim a cool car 4 his race

Streetfilms