NEW ORLEANS - Despite advances in pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure throughout New Orleans, at least three people riding bikes were killed and seven others injured within a 10-day span between Feb. 20 and March 2 of 2019. Louisiana ranks #2 nationally in bicycling deaths. At the regular City Council meeting on Thursday, March 14, Council President Jason Williams will propose a resolution calling for immediate adoption of an updated and comprehensive Complete Streets Policy, increased enforcement and educational efforts for those sharing the roadways, and designation of sections of streets for a weekly car-free day. Resolution No. R-19-95 also calls for improvements to the most dangerous New Orleans intersections, and traffic infrastructure updates citywide.
"We must take real steps towards eliminating all pedestrian and bicycle deaths and injuries in our city," said Council President Jason Williams. "Roadways do not have to be dangerous places. With updates to the physical streets as well as to the public consciousness, New Orleans will become a safer place. There were 267 crashes involving cyclists in 2018, a terrifyingly high number. We must come together and say not one more tragedy for those walking and biking in our city."
"This Council is committed to taking the necessary steps to improve and implement bicycle safety measures across the city. In the next few weeks, we will highlight those efforts by dedicating the next Transportation Committee meeting to bicycle-related initiatives already underway. We have invited the City's Director of Transportation and bike advocates who will provide a high-level analysis of our current network and discuss ways we can make New Orleans a bike and pedestrian-friendly city," said Transportation Committee Chair, and District "C" Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer.
In conjunction with the resolution, representatives from Bike Easy and the Ghost Bike project will present a Special Order of Business to the Council at 10 a.m., Thursday, March 14 on "Street Egalitarianism: The Importance of Equal Access to Roadways." Residents are invited to attend and submit public comment.
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Media Contact:
Katie Hunter-Lowrey
Director of Communications
Councilmember-At-Large Jason Rogers Williams
kdhunter-lowrey@nola.gov
(504) 345-4076