On Sunday San Antonio’s Síclovía attracted thousands of people, who came out to play in the open street. The YMCA, who hosts the biannual event, said 45,000 people came out last October and this year about 65,000 people participated.
Síclovía has become a staple for the Spring and Fall seasons as Broadway Street is closed to traffic and cyclists, runners, roller bladers, and skate boarders make their way down the road without fear of vehicle traffic.
Adan Muñoz was roller-skating with a friend while in a beach boy surfer outfit and said he loves the ability to move freely in the street.
"The sense of community out here is really great," Muñoz said. "It’s people dressing-up, people getting on bikes, people walking, running. It’s the one time that San Antonio feels really positive."
Open streets are the main event, but recreation stations known as reclovías are also set up in city parks for exercise like Zumba.
Monica Garza, with the YMCA, said San Antonio has been known as an unhealthy city, but they hope to change that.
"This allows us as a community to get active, get moving and promote physical activity in a fun family way," Garza said. "It allows them to try things that maybe they’ve never done before."
Garza said the event costs about $150,000 dollars for the YMCA to put on - mostly for street closures - but the cost is offset by sponsorships. The next Síclovía will be on Sept. 29.
