Image from Atharva Sonune.
On the 8th of September 2024, almost six miles of San Jose’s most important roads were shut down for the city’s tri-annual “Viva CalleSJ.” The event, which blocked road access for all automobiles and motorized vehicles, provided a safe space and retreat for almost 125,000 cyclists, skaters, and pedestrians from the bustling life of one of California’s largest cities.
The route, which extended from the Municipal Rose Garden, passed City Hall, and bifurcated towards Roosevelt Park and Japantown, was bustling, with hundreds of bikers and skaters passing through intersections every few minutes. A few points of interest along the route included the aforementioned City Hall, where a BMX Freestyle show was held every 90 minutes, local food trucks, and multiple shows from Pro Wrestling Revolution. Apart from that, the entire community seemed to come together at each of the three “Activity Hubs,” where local businesses, bike shops, community colleges, and event sponsors all came together.
Managing such a large event is always a difficult task, but Community Service Officer Andrew was willing to help, commenting that the event was “going great and [was] very well-planned.” Brian Clampitt, the Parks Manager for the City of San Jose, described VivaCalleSJ as “the City’s largest one-day event.”
The event was more than just a safe space for bikers—it was a way for people from across the Bay Area to come together and showcase innovative bicycles and meet new people. It also served as a valuable economic boost for many businesses along the route, which benefited from the event’s “Pit-Stop” program. Clampitt described the program as useful to “develop strategic partnerships with businesses along the route and provide increased social media engagement with these businesses resulting in attendees flooding participating restaurants and retail businesses during Viva CalleSJ, resulting in higher revenue than they traditionally see on Sundays.” Furthermore, the community response to the booths at the event was tremendous, with nearly all food trucks reporting dramatically increased sales during Viva CalleSJ. Clampitt described the importance of the event, saying, “it’s not just about the immediate impacts, but the impact of building long-term visibility and relationships with the local community.”
Finally, there were some incredibly cool experiences throughout Viva CalleSJ. While I volunteered at the event, I saw a mom with triplets strapped on a stand over the back wheel, while others saw a “unicycle that was more than 12 feet tall, a penny-farthing bike, and dozens of pets in baskets!” I interviewed multiple X-Games medalist and Dirt World Champion BMX rider Anthony Napolitan, who found Viva CalleSJ to be “such a great festival, [and] cool to see everyone on bikes. The crowds were pretty big and we got everyone pretty stoked on bikes.” Similarly, his fellow BMX rider and Olympic Team USA alternate Jacob Thiem lauded the City of San Jose for “throwing on a really cool event, and there was a lot of community love.” Thiem, who travels professionally, felt the event “was really big, they shut down the streets and they got local vendors to come, where you get to see everybody come together, and it’s a real show about what San Jose is about.”
An avid cyclist myself, I found Viva CalleSJ to be a love letter from the City of San Jose to all those who ride, skate, and walk through its streets. Shutting down the streets and allowing the community to come together, even if just for five hours, makes all the difference in a world where most people would prefer to just hop into their car and drive off. However, the city never failed to support the businesses that keep its culture thriving, providing resources and exposure to a plethora of establishments along the route. As Parks Manager Clampitt put it, the most important aspect of the event was “seeing more than 125,000 open street enthusiasts, from toddlers on tricycles to adults on vintage bikes, all enjoying the streets together, in a safe, car-free environment. Viva CalleSJ truly brought our whole city to life in a very unique way.”
Atharva Sonune, currently in his Junior Year, has had a diverse upbringing that spans India, Ohio, and California. Embarking on his inaugural year at the paper, Atharva brings a fervent curiosity for journalism. His passions encompass a wide array of topics, including emerging technology, economics, and politics. Beyond the world of writing, Atharva actively engages as a dedicated DECA member, is interested in guitar, and loves to edit videos. He wishes to hone his photography skills and is currently focusing on getting ready for college applications next year.