RenOpen Streets and Beer Bonanza!

Well kids.  This weekend was the inaugural RenOpen Streets and despite the rainy start, I'd say it was a big success.  Two miles of closed to traffic streets, a large number of vendors and groups with booths and activities.  Even some new Burning Man bicycle art!

Personally, my day started a bit after 11 am with some tea from Hub's new Tea Shop on Riverside.  Followed by a slow walk and then bike ride through the closed areas. 

New Bicycle Art at the Lear Theater!

Reno Bike Project Bike Swap!

Caught in the act of grabbing blog photos by another blogger (Reno-Rambler).  And yes, I look this dopey before I have beer.  It only gets worse from here on out!

By about 1 pm our little group had made it to Good Fellows for a "few" Ballast Point beers.  Lunch at the Depot followed and then it was over to IMBIB for their self imposed barrel beer tap take over to round out the day.

Ballast Point tap takeover at Goodfellow.

All in all the best way to cram as much bicycles and beer into a day as a person can handle!!  I hope that your weekend was a bikey and boozy as mine!

RenOpen Streets is Oct. 17th!!!

I know that this has been posted by Reno-Rambler and others already....but I'd be remiss if it didn't repost it!  The event is Oct. 17th from 10 am to 3 pm.  Details here.  So come on down and run, ride, stroll, play some frisbee, hula hoop, roller blade, or just hang out and hit up some of the great businesses and restaurants! 

RenOpen Streets....put it on your calendar!

More motivation on why RenOpen Streets is needed!

This streetfilms segment captures a lot of shared ground with what RenOpen Streets is trying to bring.  Have a look and get excited about reclaiming your city for biking, walking, and people in general (rather than just cars)!

RenOpen Streets...what could it become.

The RenOpen Streets Program is still in its infancy, but we're headed towards something that is helps define great cycling cities.  If you're not familiar with the program it's pretty simple.  Close down a bunch of streets and let them be reclaimed by people rather than cars!  You know...like it used to be even back when I was a kid.  A pickup game of touch football, a stick ball game in the street, set up a little park outside your business, expand your business into the street, etc.  It garners a spirit of community that is somewhat lost these days, and is generally just a great way to get out and walk or bike and explore your city (outside of a sound dampened metal box)!

RenOpen Streets Route for this year (one route ~ 1.5 miles):

Portland's Routes this year (5 routes ~ 7-9 miles each in length):

So...this is Reno's starter year.  If everything goes well, we'll make the even at least bi-annual and expand the routes in the future.  Just looking at Portland makes you see it could go pretty big!  The question is does your city do it!?  And if not, why aren't you ready to make it happen?

Merry Christmas Eve.....and RenOpen Streets!

Current Proposed Route

My Amended Route Idea

Ok, I have been graciously included in some preliminary route "ideas" for the RenOpen Streets project which I believe will happen next fall.  The project is being spear headed by Julie of Washoe County Health (Air Quality Management) and Noah of the Reno Bike Project.  In my opinion it's based on the Portland Sunday Parkways.  If you don't have any idea what that is here's a little video to give you an idea.



Basically, it's a take back the streets for a day.  Businesses can expand into the street with pop up markets, displays, and cafe space.  People can walk, bike, roller blade, play baseball, frisbee, or hockey.  Basically, use the massive amount of real estate that we give to cars every day.  Hopefully, if we do it right we'll have food trucks along the route, bands playing in the streets, and pop up park space for relaxing!

Anyway, it's something that's in the works....so look for options to volunteer as we get farther along!  It takes a city worth of people to make a city worth living in, and we want to show that Reno is that kind of city!

If you're curious about businesses that might be involved here's the list of businesses close to the route...

Current Route

Beaujolais Bistro
Hub Coffee
Dorinda’s Chocolates
Pneumatic Diner
Sierra Tap House
Java Jungle
Great Basin Food Co-op
Sundance Bookstore
Bibo Coffee
1864 Tavern
Cheese Board
Blue Plate
Blue Moon Pizza
Great Full Gardens
Laughing Planet
Public House
Creme
Wedge
Dreamers

Modified Route (adds these)

Imperial Lounge
West Street Market
Silver Peak on the River
Chocolate Bar
Reno eNVy
Campo
Provisions
Ole Bridge Pub
River Room
Fuego Tapas
Newman’s Deli
Nick’s Greek Deli
College Cyclery
Michael’s Deli
Granite Street
Royce
Ceol
Starbucks
St. James Infirmary
My Favorite Muffin
SoDo Resaurant
Peg’s Glorified Ham n Eggs

With this list, it could be quite a party.  Let's make it happen!