Atlanta Streets Alive connects neighborhoods from Westview to Grant Park

Atlanta Bicycle Coalition hosts its first Atlanta Streets Alive event of the year on April 17 from 2 - 6 p.m. joining seven neighborhoods with free, family-friendly events.

Related: The cyclist's guide to Atlanta

Four miles of streets running through Westview, West End, Adair Park, Pittsburgh, Mechanicsville, Summerhill and Grant Park will be closed off to cars. Only bikes, foot traffic and other people-powered machines are allowed.

The event, previously contained to West End, was expanded this year after residents of Summerhill asked to have Atlanta Streets Alive come to their neighborhood.

Activities include music by a cappella groups and bands, a public art bike tour of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, a pop-up chalk festival, special events for kids and Zumba and line dancing for all ages.

To open the event, the Great Bicycle Parade begins at 2 p.m. (meet at 1:30 p.m. at Zoo Atlanta where Georgia Avenue intersects with Cherokee Avenue). You can add to the fun by dressing up as your favorite zoo animal.

Related: Zoo Atlanta welcomes baby animals big and small

There will be three more Atlanta Streets Alive events in 2016. To view a full map of the route and for more information, visit:  http://www.atlantastreetsalive.com/schedule .