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No Cars Allowed: Cicero Avenue Goes 'Car-free' During Fleadh

Grab your bikes, rollerblades, or running shoes—but leave the car at home as Cicero Avenue once again shuts down to motorized vehicles, for an hour during this year's Fleadh.

 

There won't be much traffic on Cicero Avenue March 10—at least not f the automobile kind.

Instead, folks will take to bikes, rollerblades or running shoes for one hour between the hustle and bustle of the Fleadh 5K race and family parade.

The city will shut down Cicero—for one hour at least.

Some cities spend millions on an event called "Open Streets" to promote an active lifestyle, encouarge communities to socialize and clear motorized vehicles off the street for bit. On March 10, Oak Forest will join their ranks, saving money by tying the event into the 3nd Annual Fleadh.

From 10 to 11 a.m., between the hustle and bustle of a 5K race and a parade, Cicero Avenue will open to all residents to do anything but drive.

“'Open Streets' basically turns one mile of a normally busy street into a linear park,” said Steve Buchtel, of Active Transportation Alliance, which sponsors the event. “It is a South American idea which originated out of Bogota. When a city closes a street route for people to bike, walk or play they call it the Sunday Ciclozia.”

Buchtel suggested that people bring their bikes this year, and that families come out with their children.

“You’ve forgotten how fun it is to walk down the streets. It’s somewhat empowering,” he said. “For one hour you get to relive your youth.”

Open Streets is an open event with no advance registration required. For more information, visit the city's Fleadh website, or call Steve Buchtel at (708) 365-9365 or e-mail steve@activetrans.org. For more information on Buchtel's group, visit the Active Transportation Alliance.

MORE FLEADH INFO:

A New Direction for the Oak Forest Fleadh Parade

The Fleadh Lineup: Blarney Stone Dishes Out Irish Eats, Tunes and Brews

Last Call for Fleadh Parade Entries!

Run the Fleadh 5K, Help Stock St. Damian Food Pantry

City Receives Grant Money to Fund Fleadh Promotion

Girl Scouts Will March as Grand Marshals of Fleadh Parade

Related Topics: Oak Forest Fleadh, Oak Forest Fleadh 2012, and Oak Forest Fleadh 5K

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