CicLAvia draws thousands to Westside

CULVER CITY, Calif. (KABC) -- Thousands of bicyclists, skateboarders, roller skaters and pedestrians hit the Westside Sunday for the 14th edition of CicLAvia.

The car-free event, which kicked off at 9 a.m., banned cars from a 6-mile stretch of Washington and Venice boulevards. The event ran until 4 p.m., but roads were scheduled to reopen at about 5:30 p.m.

Jaime Ortiz created Ciclovia, which means "open roads," in Bogota, Colombia to bring attention to car pollution and promote healthy living. The event gives participants a chance to see the city at a different pace.

Sunday will mark CicLAvia's return to the Westside for the first time since 2013.

Hubs featuring activities and food stalls are sprinkled throughout the route at the Mar Vista Farmers Market, Tellefson Park, Venice Beach and downtown Culver City.

Landmarks along the way include Muscle Beach and Ocean Front Walk in Venice, King Fahad Mosque, Museum of Jurassic Technology, Sony Pictures Studios, Ballona Creek Bike Path and Helms Bakery.

City News Service contributed to this report.