Viva CalleSJ Events
Mark Your Calendar! Viva CalleSJ returns Sunday, September 7—don’t miss out!
Viva CalleSJ Tips
Viva CalleSJ provides people with the chance to enjoy a day of fun connecting with other residents of San Jose and their city in a whole new way. There are many ways to enjoy this opportunity, here are some tips to help you get the best experience out of Viva CalleSJ:
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Viva CalleSJ is not just a bicycle event, it is an open streets event! Feel free to walk, bike, skate or just come play in the streets!
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Maintain a safe speed! Stay in control, go with the flow of traffic, pass on the left, slower traffic please keep to the right.
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Be aware of your surroundings! Never Stop in the middle of the route and keep your eyes sharp to avoid accidents and obstacles.
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Wear a helmet! We care about your safety and so does the law! Participants under the age of 18 must wear a helmet and everyone is encouraged to wear one.
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Viva CalleSJ staff, volunteers, and public safety officers can be found on route and in activity hubs, ask for help!
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Take public transportation. Parking will be difficult in the areas around the route, avoid the hassle by taking VTA to Viva CalleSJ.
How to Participate
Viva CalleSJ works hard to make sure you experience a safe, secure and fun environment. Please familiarize yourself with the following information to help make Viva CalleSJ safe and fun for everyone.
Planning on riding a bicycle, skateboard, scooter, or rollerblades?
Check out the following LINK to view the California DMV bicycle laws and safety tips.
At monitored intersections where vehicles are allowed to cross the route, we ask that you that you obey all traffic signals, traffic management officers, and volunteers.
Additionally, throughout the route there are locations where it is mandatory to dismount your bicycle. There will be volunteers and signage indicating all mandatory dismount zones.
Vehicles will not be allowed on the Viva CalleSJ route the day of the event. Despite this, there may be large numbers of people on various forms of transportation. Whether they are a pedestrian, rollerblader or bicyclist, please be aware of others and share the road! Remember, Viva CalleSJ is NOT a race. Everyone will experience Viva CalleSJ at a different pace. Be safe, please monitor your speed and keep it within the flow of traffic when it becomes congested.
If you do plan on having your child/ren ride a bicycle with you, we ask that you make sure your child has the experience and understands the basics of riding a bicycle, particularly in groups. Remember, all participants under 18 are required to wear a helmet!
At monitored intersections where vehicles are allowed to cross the route, we ask that you that you obey all traffic signals, traffic management officers, and volunteers.
Additionally, throughout the route there are locations where it is mandatory to dismount your bicycle. There will be volunteers and signage indicating all mandatory dismount zones.
Vehicles will not be allowed on the Viva CalleSJ route the day of the event. Despite this, there may be large numbers of people on various forms of transportation. Whether they are a pedestrian, rollerblader or bicyclist, please be aware of others and share the road! Remember, Viva CalleSJ is NOT a race. Everyone will experience Viva CalleSJ at a different pace. Be safe, please monitor your speed and keep it within the flow of traffic when it becomes congested.
If you do plan on having your child/ren ride a bicycle with you, we ask that you make sure your child has the experience and understands the basics of riding a bicycle, particularly in groups. Remember, all participants under 18 are required to wear a helmet!
Planning on walking?
Next to riding a bicycle, walking is probably one of the best ways to experience the businesses along the Viva CalleSJ route, cultural events taking place, and activities planned for the day. For your safety, if you are walking in the street please stay as far to the right as possible to avoid creating a safety hazard for yourself and bicyclist, skateboarders, and others in the center of the street.
If you do decide to move to the center of the road, please do so with caution. Proceed as if there were still vehicles in the streets. Be sure to look both ways and wait until the route if free of obstructions, crossing only when it is safe.
If you do decide to move to the center of the road, please do so with caution. Proceed as if there were still vehicles in the streets. Be sure to look both ways and wait until the route if free of obstructions, crossing only when it is safe.
Have a mobility impairment or disability?
Viva CalleSJ closes streets to cars and opens them up to EVERYONE! We welcome and encourage those with wheelchairs, disability scooters, and other forms of handicapped transportation to participate. Remember, please stay to the right of faster traffic in order to avoid a safety hazard for yourself and those around you!
The only motorized forms of transportation allowed on the route for the day are motorized chairs, scooters or e-bikes with handicapped placards. Please note: if your motorized form of transportation required registration with the Department of Motor Vehicles, it is not allowed on the Viva CalleSJ route.
The only motorized forms of transportation allowed on the route for the day are motorized chairs, scooters or e-bikes with handicapped placards. Please note: if your motorized form of transportation required registration with the Department of Motor Vehicles, it is not allowed on the Viva CalleSJ route.
Do you own a Business on the route?
We highly encourage you and your business to participate in the event, and here are some great ideas to interact with event participants:
- Plan on opening your business the day of the event.
- Make your storefront more visible with banners and signs.
- Bring your business to the streets.
- Advertise your business before the event.
- Spread the word about Viva CalleSJ.
Live or work along the route?
If you live or work along the route:
- There will be no cars allowed on the event route. A no parking/tow zone will be implemented at 1:00 A.M. the day of the event, cars still parked along will begin to be towed at approximately 2:00 A.M. on the day of the event.
- Additionally, access to driveways blocked by the route will be restricted. If you will need your car, please remember to move you it before the 8:00 A.M. hard road closure.
- If, for any reason, you need to cross the route with a vehicle, please see the event map to locate crossing points for through traffic. San José Police and Viva CalleSJ volunteers will be located at each crossing point to facilitate the flow of participant and vehicle traffic.
- If there is an emergency, please contact one of the many Viva CalleSJ staff member, volunteer or public safety officer that can be found on the route for assistance.
Keeping Viva CalleSJ safe.
The safety of all participants is a primary concern for the Viva CalleSJ team. We work closely with local authorities to provide as safe and secure of an environment as possible at Activity Hubs and along the route. The San José Police Department has generously joined the program as a partner to provide a strong security presence. In addition, there will be emergency medical technicians stationed at each Hub and along the route.
In the event a serious accident or issue occurs, please go to the nearest Activity Hub or information booth and report it to Viva CalleSJ staff immediately. If you are in between Activity Hubs, look for the nearest uniformed officer or Viva CalleSJ staff member.
Additionally, if you notice any suspicious activity or a suspicious package, immediately report it to the nearest uniformed officer or Viva CalleSJ staff member.