UPDATE (10/2): The New Brunswick Police Department announced that the October 4 Ciclovia event has been cancelled due to the predicted weather. 

“It will take place again in the spring,” reads the Nixle alert issued by the police department.

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—On October 4, three miles’ worth of New Brunswick streets will be car-free for Ciclovia, a free event that encourages residents and visitors to walk, bike, skateboard, and engage in other physical activities in the streets.

The city-sponsored initiative closes many streets to cars and opens them to people.  According to its website, New Brunswick Ciclovia “promotes healthy active living through experiencing New Brunswick’s vitality, livability, and diversity in a safe place for people to exercise and play.”

Organizers have asked asked that people check back on Sunday, October 4 after 7am to see if the event is still on, in light of the weather forecast.

“Please note that drizzle or intermittent rain will not cause cancellation of event,” reads a post on the Facebook event page.  “Threat of prolonged lightening, constant rain, and/or heavy winds will result in cancellation of Ciclovia. We are hoping for Joaquin to pass us so that Sunday can be enjoyable to all!”

The Ciclovia route will connect the College Avenue Gym and the city’s Hub Teen Center on Joyce Kilmer Avenue.

Beginning in the Sixth Ward on College Avenue, the route will include Hamilton Street and George Street on its way downtown, before heading onto Paterson Street, Kirkpatrick Street, and Bayard Street before taking Joyce Kilmer Avenue, deep into the city’s Fourth Ward.

The streets will become car-free for six hours. They will be fully closed off from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., although closures will start as early as 7 a.m.

There will be some vehicle crossings at major streets, but it will be directed by police.  There will be tow zones for cars parked on Ciclovia-designated streets that day.

Ciclovia will also be hosting more than fifteen family-friendly activities, including:

  • a climbing wall
  • inflatables
  • an obstacle course
  • group fitness classes, including Zumba, yoga, and Crossfit
  • music
  • art.

Free water stations and bike repair will be set up along the route.

The first Ciclovia is New Brunswick was held in 2013.  Since then, Ciclovia events have been held three times each year, one each in the spring, summer, and fall.

Ciclovia is associated with Middlesex County’s car-free week. Residents can take the pledge to go car-free or car-lite for the chance to win prizes, including:

  • a travel mug and a $10 Dunkin Donuts gift card
  • travel ear buds and a $20 iTunes gift card
  • a travel water bottle and a $20 Amazon gift card
  • an Amazon Kindle

Ciclovia works in tandem with the Alliance for Biking and Walking.

The Alliance for Biking and Walking “creates, strengthens, and unites state and local bicycling and walking advocacy organizations.”

Ciclovia is a “community collaborative,” organized by the City of New Brunswick, New Brunswick Tomorrow, Johnson & Johnson, Rutgers University, and more than two dozen community organizations.

More information is available online at www.nbactive.com.

Please follow New Brunswick social media (twitter.com/cityofnewbruns, New Brunswick, New Jersey on Facebook) in the event of rescheduling due to the inclement weather anticipated.