The 2011 Bike Fest started this past weekend with several events including a GABA bike ride and several events with Mia Birk, a bicycle planner who helped launch Portland into one of the best bike cities in the country. (I am working on a post about Birk’s reactions to Tucson.)

There are more than 20 events currently on tap for this year’s Bike Fest, which ends on April 17. You can check out all the events here, but some will be featured separately in the coming weeks.

Cyclovia: March 27 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

In its second year, Cyclovia Tucson has an all-new route and is using the lessons organizers learned last year to improve this year’s event.

The car-free event is closing roughly five miles of streets to cars and encouraging people to walk, roll or ride around the route.

An open house with the goal of educating the neighbors and recruiting volunteers is scheduled for this evening from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Santa Rosa Neighborhood Center at Santa Rosa Park, 1080 South 10th Ave.

With no real starting or ending point, participants can join in anywhere along the route. (Check the route map on the below)

Cyclovia Tucson director Daniela Diamente said she was excited about this year’s route.

The route itself has more character,” Diamente said. “I feel like there is more of intermingling  of cultures that will hopefully happen this year.”

There will be dozens of events, booths and activities along the route including restaurants and food vendors, BMX and skating demos, bike decoration station and much more.

Cyclovia is teaming up with the Solar Rock concert to provide music and entertainment at Armory Park.

Check CycloviaTucson.org for more details. Click here for coverage of last year’s Cyclovia Tucson.

Bike-to-Work Week: April 4 – 8

Local businesses will host morning and afternoon bike-to-work stations offering free food, discounts, tuneups and other goodies. The week culminates with the downtown Bike-to-Work celebration, which will offer commuters free food, live music and Commuter of the Year and Advocate of the Year awards.

GABA Bike Swap Meet & Old Pueblo Grand Prix: April 17

The day starts with the GABA Bike Swap, which starts at 6 a.m. and runs until 1 p.m. The best deals are gone quickly, so get there early. Check out the video and coverage from past bike swaps.

After the bike swap, the first Old Pueblo Grand Prix downtown criterium bike race starts. Read more about the event here.