Summer Parkways

When I rode by myself to meet the other volunteers for the inaugural Summer Parkways, I had that familiar first date feeling in my stomach like “yeeaaah.” Scientifically known as butterflies. What will happen, I thought, since this has never been done in Spokane?

It felt like a historical moment with over half of the 120 volunteers meeting at the north shelter of Riverfront Park on bikes. The idea is based off ciclovías – Spanish for “cycle way” or “bike path”- an event in Bogotá, Columbia where 70 miles of streets close for automobiles and open for people powered transit on Sundays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Similar events occured in Portland – called “Sunday Parkways” – and San Francisco. I was fortunate enough to participate in the San Francisco event when the city shut down a 4.5 mile portion of their streets from Bayview to Chinatown—mainly Embarcadero— for four hours to make way for bicyclists and cultural activities.

For Spokane’s part, this Sunday, July 11th, from 9 am-1pm the people-powered movement takes over Howard Street for the 1.5 mile stretch between Riverfront Park and Corbin Park. There will be healthy food, Zumba exercise dance, hula hooping, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, jump rope, and a bike decorating contest judged by Mayor Mary Verner, Councilman Richard Rush, and Councilman Bob Apple.

View Summer Parkways in a larger map

Organizers attended Neighborhood Council meetings and went door-to-door to let residents know of the street closure and were greeted with enthusiasm. Hopefully, Summer Parkways will become a more permanent fixture in Spokane and lead organizer Bill Bender of Spokefest fame wants it on as many Sundays as possible like Bogotá. Even though we can’t conceivably close more than 70 miles of streets, how far have we come that we are modeling an event after Bogotá’s attempts at a post-automobile city? Will our urban planners take note? Perhaps next year, organizers can shut down a major arterial like 2nd avenue for a path between Browne’s Addition and East Central so participants understand the importance of connectivity.

The free event repeats itself August 22nd.