32 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 9-15, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com CULTURE The concept is remarkable in its simplicity: Close down the street to vehicular traffic, and what you have left is a paved causeway for every other mode of travel—bike riding, skateboarding, walking, roller skating. The tradition began in Bogotá, Colombia, in the 1970s and has spread around the world. It came to Salinas in 2013, organized and led by young people. Many of those former young people are now staff members at Building Healthy Communities, helping the next generation organize the 12th Ciclovía Salinas. Daniela Jimenez was part of the second youth cohort in 2014, when she was in high school. “It was one of the first places that my voice as a youth mattered, and they actually put my opinions into practice,” she says. She left for college (UC Santa Barbara) then returned to Salinas, and now consults for BHC. Jimenez and others guide a discussion on Monday night, Oct. 6 at the Cesar Chavez Library, where about 60 students are gathered for their last planning session before the big day on Oct. 12. There are a lot of logistics to cover— for example, protocol on how to report a missing child—and a list of which activity booths provide stamps that help attendees earn raffle tickets. There’s a schedule for musical performances and for volunteers to review (there are some groans when the group is told to arrive by 6:30am). But there’s also palpable excitement in the air. As volunteers, many of these students will be attending Ciclovía for the first time. Jade Nunez is a senior at Rancho San Juan High School and is on the volunteer committee, which is trying to recruit at least 100 adult volunteers; with another 20 spots to fill in just six days, she’s optimistic. Her classmate Michelle Duff is an artist and business owner, who creates and sells stickers and keychains. She has been enthusiastically connecting with East Alisal Street business owners. “Some have a negative opinion about it because it shuts down the street, but we really want to incorporate them into the route,” she says. “It is a community event.” To that end, Duff is motivated to participate primarily by a bigger vision: “The main goal of Ciclovía is changing the narrative of Salinas, and I wanted to help with that.” Ciclovía Salinas 10am-2pm Sunday, Oct. 12. East Alisal Street between Front and Sanborn, Salinas. Free. (831) 288-8186, cicloviasalinas.org. CICLOVIA SALINAS Pedal Power Twelve years in, Ciclovía Salinas has become a youth-led institution and a community celebration. By Sara Rubin It takes a lot of planning and people to make Ciclovía a success. Each year a group of students gather to organize the event. Carmel Tasting Room San Carlos & 7th • 831.626.WINE (9463) Estate Winery & Tasting Room 1972 Hobson Ave, Greenfield SCHEIDVINEYARDS.COM Enjoyfriends. sips. Pouring daily from 12pm OCEAN AVE 7TH AVE 8TH AVE MISSION ST Carmel Plaza Sunset Community & Cultural Center SAN CARLOS ST DOLORES ST
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