CicLAvia Travel Map

Project Description

The SMC IxD program and CicLAvia partnered together to identify, create, and design ways to get community members excited and engaged in their community. The team created a large-scale mobile map to provide CicLAvia participants with a visual understanding of their location and enlighten them about neighborhood businesses to check out. The map also helped participants locate local hot spots and gems by enabling volunteers to spread the word about favorite areas along the route, which may have yet to be highlighted on the CivLAvia website.

Problem

When planning a CicLAvia event, organizers will go door-to-door through specific communities—and for many people, it’s hard to understand what the event is (and isn’t). For example, many people consider the event a closure of the community, with many businesses not fully grasping the benefit of staying open. What are some ways to explain the benefits of the event to the locals to ensure maximum participation?

Insights

During the research phase, our team discovered that participants at the CicLAvia Heart of LA needed access to a map to help them navigate the route and find open businesses. The map created an opportunity to have conversations with eventgoers to help them explore new places within their community. The map acted as a focal point for participants to access community information and will enable businesses an opportunity to advertise in the future.

Solutions

A travel map will help even volunteers engage with participants along the route by helping those who may miss what the community has to offer. The travel map fosters communication with participants and enriches their knowledge of the interactive points and local businesses along the route that otherwise may not be on the main map.