Bike Or Walk To La Quinta Village For 'Re-Imagined Streetscape'

PALM DESERT, CA - From Go Human So Cal: On Saturday, November 18, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., the City of La Quinta and the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) invite residents and visitors to bike, walk, skate or roll to La Quinta: Village Make, a free street festival that will allow residents to experience planned and potential street improvements in La Quinta Village.

A press event will take place on the Main Stage in La Quinta Village north of Main Street and south of Calle Tampico (78-100 Main Street, Suite 203, La Quinta, CA 92253). Mayor Linda Evans is confirmed to speak and will be joined onstage by La Quinta City Council members. Mayor of Palm Desert Jan Harnik will also be speaking.

At Village Make, residents and visitors will get to test out temporary street improvements that make walking and biking easier, safer and more enjoyable. A collaboration with SCAG’s Go Human campaign, the event will showcase a temporary traffic circle, separated bike lanes and a mid-block crosswalk along Calle Tampico, as well as a repurposed alleyway and cut-through walking path. These features will be enhanced with artwork designed and built by local artists. Participants will also have the opportunity to utilize augmented reality to experience a redesigned street.

Village Make will bring friends and neighbors together to enjoy family-friendly activities including free bicycle rentals, live music and entertainment, local vendors, interactive art installations, crafts, photo booths, giveaways and more.

Village Make is also about going human, giving residents and neighbors the opportunity to walk and bike Old Town and experience plans for safer streets in La Quinta. Those who provide feedback on short surveys will have a chance to win prizes including bicycles, as well as gift certificates for bicycle rentals and tune-ups.

"Investing in active transportation creates direct, tangible benefits for communities," said Hasan Ikhrata, Executive Director of SCAG. "If implemented, residents will experience greater bike and pedestrian safety. The added walkability has the potential to enhance the businesses in Old Town.”

Attendees are encouraged to attend this free street event on foot or by bike, scooter or skateboard. Those who come without a bike will be able to borrow one for free, courtesy of Old Town Peddler and Pedego. Bicycle rentals, demonstrations and valet will be located at the repurposed alleyway between Avenida La Fonda and Calle Estado, west of Desert Club Drive alleyway and at Linden Lane Plaza.

SCAG’s Go Human campaign is working with cities across Southern California to develop open streets events and safety demonstration projects, such as Village Make, which promote safety while encouraging people to walk and bike more.

Come experience what these proposed changes could be like permanently!

Village Make is the product of a partnership between the City of La Quinta, Clean Transportation Funding – MSRC and SCAG’s Go Human campaign. For more information, visit GoHumanSoCal.org/VillageMakeLQ.

Image via Unsplash