Alissa Walker
@awalkerinla.bsky.social
I'm a writer and a walker in LA. Tracking the city's megaevent progress at Torched. Co-host LA Podcast, new episodes drop every Monday. LAUSD mom. @awalkerinla everywhere else. Sign up for my newsletter at torched.la 🔥
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Alissa Walker
@awalkerinla.bsky.social
· Jun 16
Thanks to John Oliver for quoting my highly scientific analysis proving we don’t need federal troops in LA
Torched readers know a major concern for 2028 is that the city of LA/state of California are on the hook for Olympics overages this time around. Could LA28 (with IOC approval) offer to relieve us of our financial duties to backstop the games? Very interesting analysis by Rich Perelman
LANE ONE: Intuit announced as an LA28 Founding Partner; could money allow LA28 to change the whole L.A. Olympic governance game in 2026? - The Sports Examiner
LANE ONE: Intuit announced as an LA28 Founding Partner; could money allow LA28 to change the whole L.A. Olympic governance game in 2026? - The Sports Examiner - Your all-in-one coverage of Olympic-spo...
www.thesportsexaminer.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Torched readers know a major concern for 2028 is that the city of LA/state of California are on the hook for Olympics overages this time around. Could LA28 (with IOC approval) offer to relieve us of our financial duties to backstop the games? Very interesting analysis by Rich Perelman
Reposted by Alissa Walker
Yes, anytime a street is closed to let people not in cars use it (and not just for a movie shoot or Hollywood premiere) is a good thing. Even if it is covered with corporate shock, I will take it.
November 24, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Yes, anytime a street is closed to let people not in cars use it (and not just for a movie shoot or Hollywood premiere) is a good thing. Even if it is covered with corporate shock, I will take it.
Reposted by Alissa Walker
My 13-yr-old loved it, and they employed a lot of Angelenos today.
I'm more into the live local musicians along the route, and businesses setting up tables and doing their own thing. Like it would be fun to see a more open-ended theme that's not a specific corporate brand/property.
I'm more into the live local musicians along the route, and businesses setting up tables and doing their own thing. Like it would be fun to see a more open-ended theme that's not a specific corporate brand/property.
November 24, 2025 at 6:53 AM
My 13-yr-old loved it, and they employed a lot of Angelenos today.
I'm more into the live local musicians along the route, and businesses setting up tables and doing their own thing. Like it would be fun to see a more open-ended theme that's not a specific corporate brand/property.
I'm more into the live local musicians along the route, and businesses setting up tables and doing their own thing. Like it would be fun to see a more open-ended theme that's not a specific corporate brand/property.
Reposted by Alissa Walker
The more people who participate, the better. If Netflix was able to get higher turnout… I’m all for it.
November 24, 2025 at 6:35 AM
The more people who participate, the better. If Netflix was able to get higher turnout… I’m all for it.
Reposted by Alissa Walker
I mean, it's not ideal and at an excess can become gross and distracting.
That said, the nation is falling apart (so this is not a high priority complaint). And CivLAvia is so nice and it's good to be outside and see so many people out and ... eh, wtvr ; )
That said, the nation is falling apart (so this is not a high priority complaint). And CivLAvia is so nice and it's good to be outside and see so many people out and ... eh, wtvr ; )
November 24, 2025 at 6:18 AM
I mean, it's not ideal and at an excess can become gross and distracting.
That said, the nation is falling apart (so this is not a high priority complaint). And CivLAvia is so nice and it's good to be outside and see so many people out and ... eh, wtvr ; )
That said, the nation is falling apart (so this is not a high priority complaint). And CivLAvia is so nice and it's good to be outside and see so many people out and ... eh, wtvr ; )
Reposted by Alissa Walker
The hubs were Stranger Things only and it wasn’t for me. But a lot of fans seemed to be having fun.
November 24, 2025 at 6:03 AM
The hubs were Stranger Things only and it wasn’t for me. But a lot of fans seemed to be having fun.
Reposted by Alissa Walker
I went because it might be the last one in a while but it was def more of a Netflix event than a ciclavia event. I had more fun off of the route and with my group feeder ride and my ride home than at the event itself.
November 24, 2025 at 6:02 AM
I went because it might be the last one in a while but it was def more of a Netflix event than a ciclavia event. I had more fun off of the route and with my group feeder ride and my ride home than at the event itself.
Reposted by Alissa Walker
CBOs get exposure; businesses can get a boost; govt does outreach; organizers + political candidates can get people involved in causes/campaigns; people temporarily get free recreation, better air, and safer streets in park poor LA; There’s a lot to like. And our bike share is still publicly run 😇
November 24, 2025 at 5:53 AM
CBOs get exposure; businesses can get a boost; govt does outreach; organizers + political candidates can get people involved in causes/campaigns; people temporarily get free recreation, better air, and safer streets in park poor LA; There’s a lot to like. And our bike share is still publicly run 😇
Reposted by Alissa Walker
It was fine. Maybe I’d prefer it if it meant MORE events instead of the it being the only way to have them. The fans were out in force and they seemed happy. Biggest disappointment was that my free Stranger Things(tm) bike light doesn’t play “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)”
November 24, 2025 at 5:46 AM
It was fine. Maybe I’d prefer it if it meant MORE events instead of the it being the only way to have them. The fans were out in force and they seemed happy. Biggest disappointment was that my free Stranger Things(tm) bike light doesn’t play “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)”
Reposted by Alissa Walker
I didn’t participate but I had to go to a store on Melrose today. Making my way down, it seemed like a pretty normal Ciclavia to me.
November 24, 2025 at 5:19 AM
I didn’t participate but I had to go to a store on Melrose today. Making my way down, it seemed like a pretty normal Ciclavia to me.
Reposted by Alissa Walker
Yes, agreed. I didn’t go either, though I heard from folks who did and thought it was fine. To me, if it crosses the line into feeling like a Netflix event versus a Ciclavia with a partnership, that’s not something I’m comfortable with.
November 24, 2025 at 4:56 AM
Yes, agreed. I didn’t go either, though I heard from folks who did and thought it was fine. To me, if it crosses the line into feeling like a Netflix event versus a Ciclavia with a partnership, that’s not something I’m comfortable with.
Reposted by Alissa Walker
I didn’t know this was going on! It looks fun, though something about 80s mall culture makes me think this should’ve been in Sherman Oaks.
If it attracted new people to discover the wonders of walking or biking on the street sans cars, I think that’s a win.
If it attracted new people to discover the wonders of walking or biking on the street sans cars, I think that’s a win.
November 24, 2025 at 4:48 AM
I didn’t know this was going on! It looks fun, though something about 80s mall culture makes me think this should’ve been in Sherman Oaks.
If it attracted new people to discover the wonders of walking or biking on the street sans cars, I think that’s a win.
If it attracted new people to discover the wonders of walking or biking on the street sans cars, I think that’s a win.
Reposted by Alissa Walker
There’s a huge difference between corporate sponsorship and corporate takeover and I actually think it’s pretty gross that Netflix took over a whole event and made it about themselves with the Stranger Things branding. I skipped the event this year because of it.
November 24, 2025 at 4:48 AM
There’s a huge difference between corporate sponsorship and corporate takeover and I actually think it’s pretty gross that Netflix took over a whole event and made it about themselves with the Stranger Things branding. I skipped the event this year because of it.
Reposted by Alissa Walker
I think it's cool, though they shouldn't do it this way too often.
The last few Ciclavias I have gone to seemed a little tired, so something to shake it up is good.
The last few Ciclavias I have gone to seemed a little tired, so something to shake it up is good.
November 24, 2025 at 4:40 AM
I think it's cool, though they shouldn't do it this way too often.
The last few Ciclavias I have gone to seemed a little tired, so something to shake it up is good.
The last few Ciclavias I have gone to seemed a little tired, so something to shake it up is good.
Reposted by Alissa Walker
Yes. Good trade.
November 24, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Yes. Good trade.
Reposted by Alissa Walker
It was a good time! I don’t think every ciclavia should be so loudly sponsored but I thought it was fun. A little crazy towards the Melrose/Fairfax intersection with the trading post going on. In my opinion, any event that draws people out to experience LA minus cars is a good thing.
November 24, 2025 at 3:38 AM
It was a good time! I don’t think every ciclavia should be so loudly sponsored but I thought it was fun. A little crazy towards the Melrose/Fairfax intersection with the trading post going on. In my opinion, any event that draws people out to experience LA minus cars is a good thing.
Reposted by Alissa Walker
I am torn. I want to see more community pedestrian focused events generally and it would be great if people who don’t normally show up come to this and then go to subsequent non-Netflix events. But if it feels more like just a corporate activation? No
November 24, 2025 at 3:24 AM
I am torn. I want to see more community pedestrian focused events generally and it would be great if people who don’t normally show up come to this and then go to subsequent non-Netflix events. But if it feels more like just a corporate activation? No
Reposted by Alissa Walker
It was tough. I understand the need for sponsorships and limited grants in the current political climate, but today's event could have been housed in an empty department store. Missed all the community partners and discovering the city itself. We left the route to look for murals.
November 24, 2025 at 3:16 AM
It was tough. I understand the need for sponsorships and limited grants in the current political climate, but today's event could have been housed in an empty department store. Missed all the community partners and discovering the city itself. We left the route to look for murals.
Reposted by Alissa Walker
💯 Studios don't pay enough in taxes, the least they could do is pour money into community events. Promotional tie-ins are whatever, we live here, we're used to it.
November 24, 2025 at 3:12 AM
💯 Studios don't pay enough in taxes, the least they could do is pour money into community events. Promotional tie-ins are whatever, we live here, we're used to it.
Reposted by Alissa Walker
The problem with this is that it obfuscates the purpose of CicLAvia, which is to imagine and think about a future that does not require cars clogging every single city block.
Instead, it just feels like... a Stranger Things event.
Instead, it just feels like... a Stranger Things event.
Angelenos, what did you think about today’s Netflix-sponsored Stranger Things CicLAvia? Would you be okay with more branded activations if it meant we’d have more open streets events? Share your photos!
November 24, 2025 at 3:05 AM
The problem with this is that it obfuscates the purpose of CicLAvia, which is to imagine and think about a future that does not require cars clogging every single city block.
Instead, it just feels like... a Stranger Things event.
Instead, it just feels like... a Stranger Things event.
Reposted by Alissa Walker
I am grateful for open street events... but this sponsorship turned CycLAvia into a mediocre sci-fi convention.
I wonder whether it will turn off more people than it would attract.
I wonder whether it will turn off more people than it would attract.
November 24, 2025 at 2:56 AM
I am grateful for open street events... but this sponsorship turned CycLAvia into a mediocre sci-fi convention.
I wonder whether it will turn off more people than it would attract.
I wonder whether it will turn off more people than it would attract.
Reposted by Alissa Walker
While in theory I object (we should tax billionaires so we can have nice things for everyone), the simple fact is that Americans don’t love public spending on nice public things and so the only way we can have nice things is to have these kinds of sponsorships.
Angelenos, what did you think about today’s Netflix-sponsored Stranger Things CicLAvia? Would you be okay with more branded activations if it meant we’d have more open streets events? Share your photos!
November 24, 2025 at 2:17 AM
While in theory I object (we should tax billionaires so we can have nice things for everyone), the simple fact is that Americans don’t love public spending on nice public things and so the only way we can have nice things is to have these kinds of sponsorships.
Reposted by Alissa Walker
The branded little vehicles were too much. They were too big, and when they went through the hubs, they created even more congestion. Pedicabs are good, but kind of big branded vehicles just felt out of scale with the event.
November 24, 2025 at 2:09 AM
The branded little vehicles were too much. They were too big, and when they went through the hubs, they created even more congestion. Pedicabs are good, but kind of big branded vehicles just felt out of scale with the event.
Reposted by Alissa Walker
Pros felt like a lot more people that aren’t typically at these events and a lot of pedestrians, which is always nice. The spirit of seeing branded costumes was cool and festive
Con absolutely mess of hubs. They were choke points with tons of people in line, making it impossible to get through.
Con absolutely mess of hubs. They were choke points with tons of people in line, making it impossible to get through.
November 24, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Pros felt like a lot more people that aren’t typically at these events and a lot of pedestrians, which is always nice. The spirit of seeing branded costumes was cool and festive
Con absolutely mess of hubs. They were choke points with tons of people in line, making it impossible to get through.
Con absolutely mess of hubs. They were choke points with tons of people in line, making it impossible to get through.
Reposted by Alissa Walker
All love to @awalkerinla.bsky.social 💗
I challenge our city to allocate resources appropriately & demonstrate courage to create permanent open streets!
We don’t need “CicLAvia brought to you by Netflix sponsored by Chipotle in partnership with Honda” our city has the money we just have no spine!
I challenge our city to allocate resources appropriately & demonstrate courage to create permanent open streets!
We don’t need “CicLAvia brought to you by Netflix sponsored by Chipotle in partnership with Honda” our city has the money we just have no spine!
Angelenos, what did you think about today’s Netflix-sponsored Stranger Things CicLAvia? Would you be okay with more branded activations if it meant we’d have more open streets events? Share your photos!
November 24, 2025 at 2:03 AM
All love to @awalkerinla.bsky.social 💗
I challenge our city to allocate resources appropriately & demonstrate courage to create permanent open streets!
We don’t need “CicLAvia brought to you by Netflix sponsored by Chipotle in partnership with Honda” our city has the money we just have no spine!
I challenge our city to allocate resources appropriately & demonstrate courage to create permanent open streets!
We don’t need “CicLAvia brought to you by Netflix sponsored by Chipotle in partnership with Honda” our city has the money we just have no spine!