626 Golden Streets, the biggest Open Streets event ever to be held in North America, had to be postponed last year due to the San Gabriel Complex fire. We were really sad about it. Gabe the Sasquatch cried a little bit. But now it’s 2017 and 626 Golden Streets is upon us once more with 17-plus-miles to walk, run, skate and bike across the San Gabriel Valley — including some roads, such as Huntington, that are often congested and not very bike friendly.

The free event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 5 — which happens to be the one-year anniversary of the opening of Gold Line Foothill Extension. What a coincidence! ?

The route extends between South Pasadena and Azusa and most of it is linked by the Gold Line, which will run Saturday service levels with longer, three-car trains to support the event. The stations you can use to access the route are:

• South Pasadena Station (the Metro Bike Share team will be here doing demos because ICYMI bike share is coming to Pasadena this summer!)
• Arcadia Station
• Monrovia Station
• Duarte/City of Hope Station
• Irwindale Station
• Azusa Downtown Station

Make sure to buy and load your TAP card in advance to avoid lines at TVMs. Roundtrip fare is $3.50 in Stored Value.

Here’s your standard “bikes on board” reminder: please keep in mind that if the train is full, you’ll have to wait for the next train. Use the designated space for bicycles. For your safety and the safety of others, do not block doors or aisles. 

There are eight activity hubs along the route that will have music, food, dancing and more! The hubs will also provide free water, first-aid for anyone who needs it, and information.

Buses will be detouring through the San Gabriel Valley due to street closures. Details will be posted on Metro’s Service Advisories page.

626 Golden Streets was made possible by Metro’s Open Streets grant program.