Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In
Streetsblog USA

Car-Free Streets Draw Bigger Crowds in San Antonio Than Pro Sports

It's hard to argue that people in Texas just aren't into walking and biking after you watch the above video from the Rivard Report, which shows the overjoyed crowds at San Antonio's Síclovía open streets event earlier this month.

This was the tenth Síclovía, which happens twice a year. About 65,000 people came out to bike, jog, Zumba and play along 3.4 miles of streets winding through the heart of the city. For comparison, the Spurs, San Antonio's major pro sports franchise, play at an arena with a capacity of 18,500 people.

The main goal of Síclovía, which is run by the YMCA, is to promote physical activity and healthy habits. While many San Antonio residents would like more regular events, the YMCA says they don't have the capacity to do more.

As for making streets safe for biking and walking every day, San Antonio still has a long way to go on that front, says Council Member Shirley Gonzales, a champion of the city's recent Vision Zero legislation. But she sees this as an opportunity.

"Why can’t we have that every day?" she said. "Síclovía is an example of what the city can do... so that people see alternatives for what the streets can be."

Photo: Siclovía
Photo: Síclovía
false

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

StreetSmart Special Edition – LA Evictions at Caltrans Owned Properties for Formerly Homeless “Reclaimers”

Benito Flores, one of the Reclaimers, is resisting eviction to draw attention to inequities with how housing laws are being applied to people experiencing homelessness

July 15, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines

I bet we can come up with some reasons Sacramento isn't getting higher scores on its bike ratings.

July 15, 2025

Commentary: The French City of Lyon Shows How to Connect Oakland and Western Alameda

An amazing 24/7 bike-ped-transit connection can be made for pennies on the dollar—if the Bay Area can get past its car-brain affliction.

July 15, 2025

Monday’s Headlines

R's clearly think gas prices are the way to hold on to the house.

July 14, 2025

These U.S. Communities’ So-Called ‘Complete Streets’ Policies Don’t Even Deserve the Name

Any city can call itself a "Complete Streets" champion. But not all of them are walking the walk — and if they don't, a top organization says they'll no longer give them a platform on its esteemed "best of" ranking.

July 13, 2025
See all posts