What is Streets Alive?
Streets Alive is about people being active on streets in their own communities to ensure a healthy future. Cities all around the world are organizing car-free open street events to promote health, reduce carbon emission, and build a sense of community. Streets Alive isn't intended to be just another festival or fair. It is about enjoying our everyday public places - streets, parks, plazas and trails - and transforming San Mateo County to make everyday active transportation easy for everyone.

Has a date been set for Streets Alive 2012?
Not yet - stay tuned.

Why does Streets Alive take place?
Cities in San Mateo County plan to transform public places into safe, car-free outdoor spaces because temporarily closing streets to cars opens them up to people. The event is intended to inspire people to come together to be active, healthy, and car-free.

Who participates in Streets Alive?
People of all ages, backgrounds and levels of physical ability can participate in Streets Alive events.

How can people participate?
People are welcome to walk, run, roll, or ride to Streets Alive events throughout the county. Bikes, rollerblades, skates, skateboards, scooters, unicycles, wagons, strollers, stilts, pogo sticks, tricycles and any other non-motorized modes of transportation are welcome.

Is Streets Alive a race?
No. Participants are encouraged to move along city routes at their own pace, and there are no planned start or end points for routes.

How much will Streets Alive cost?
Streets Alive is FREE family fun for everyone. Each participating city organizes free and low-cost activities.

Is Streets Alive safe?
Police, emergency services, public works, and parks and recreation departments are involved in planning to ensure that events are safe.

Who benefits from open street events?
Everyone benefits. Making our cities more accessible for people to be active is beneficial for everyone's health. Local businesses benefit from increased pedestrian and bike traffic along commercial streets, and the environment benefits from reduced carbon emissions.

How does Streets Alive impact traffic?
Streets Alive events are scheduled for the time of week with the fewest cars on the road. Street closures are 'soft closures', with cross-traffic allowed at a limited number of points along the route and auto access for residents and businesses located within the closed route. This type of closure has worked very well in other cities around the world.

Are dogs allowed?
Four-legged friends are welcome at Streets Alive. They are required to be on a short leash, and owners or handlers are expected to pick up after them to comply with pet waste policies.

How can I get involved?

• Volunteer: If you are interested in volunteering, contact a host city directly for more information.
• Sponsor: If you are interested in 2012 sponsorship or partnership opportunities, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
• Partner: Cities hosting Streets Alive seek partnerships with local non-profits and businesses to provide no-cost or low-cost organized activities and services such as bike repair and group exercise classes. If you'd like to be a local partner in 2012, contact  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
• Share: If you participated in a Streets Alive event, share your photos and tell us about your experience.