A popular event involves temporarily closing city streets to vehicular traffic so that bicyclists and pedestrians can frolic without fear will be held on four occasions this year, and will connect more neighborhoods than ever before.

The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition will host four Atlanta Streets Alive events in 2016. The first will be from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday in the Historic West End. The four-mile route will connect the neighborhoods of Westview, West End, Adair Park, Pittsburgh, Mechanicsville, Summerhill and Grant Park.

100523 - Atlanta - Edgewood Ave. is filled with pedestrians and bike riders as the street was closed for Atlanta Streets Alive. Modeled after similar events from around the world, including Colombia, San Francisco, Cleveland, and Paris, the first-ever Atlanta Streets Alive took place on Edgewood Ave. from Woodruff Park to Randolph St. Sunday. Atlanta Streets Alive was a ciclovia where the organizers closed streets to cars and opened them to all kinds of organized activities -- including belly dancing, street performing, fitness, hula hoops, tai chi, and dancing, all for free. Hundred of participants rode their bikes or walked the streets and took part in activities. Sun, May 23, 2010 Bob Andres, bandres@ajc.com

Credit: Andria Brooks

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Credit: Andria Brooks

Other events will be held on June 12 and Oct. 23 from Downtown to Midtown, and on Sept. 25 in Atlanta eastside neighborhoods.

This Sunday's event kicks off with a 2 p.m. Great Bicycle Parade starting at Zoo Atlanta. Participants are invited to dress up like zoo animals.

Other activities include music by singing groups and bands, bike polo, a Public Art Bike Tour of the Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs, a pop-up chalk festival, dancing for all ages, kids games and zones and more.

Since 2009, Atlanta Streets Alive events have been hosted to help change the way people view the city's streets -- taking motorized vehicles out of the equation for an afternoon and allowing Atlantans to experience the benefits of people-filled, active neighborhoods.

To view a full map of the route, visit: http://www.atlantastreetsalive.com/schedule.