The Metro Open Streets Grant Program saw its 17th funded event yesterday in the City of Whittier. The Whittier Walk & Roll Festival brought crowds of local residents and bicycle riders to the streets of Uptown Whittier, which were closed to automobile traffic and opened for folks walking, biking and rolling to enjoy.

The festivities included live music, a farmers market, rock wall, bicycle decoration center and art exhibits – all enjoyed in a car-free environment. Businesses along the main commercial corridor of Greenleaf Avenue catered to Open Streets participants checking out the historic village atmosphere.

The overarching goals of the Open Streets Grant Program are to encourage sustainable modes of transportation (biking, walking and transit), provide an opportunity to take transit/ride a bike on a city street for the first time and create civic engagement that can foster the development of the host city’s multi-modal policies.

Mark your calendars now because Metro’s next Open Streets event, CicLAvia — San Pedro Meets Wilmington, is scheduled for August 13.

For more photos from the event, see our Flickr album.