NEW ORLEANS – The Blue Bikes community bikeshare program has surpassed 300,000 rides in 2023. Blue Krewe, the local nonprofit that operates and manages the program, and its partners credit improvements to the city’s infrastructure for the boost in ridership.
“Expanding New Orleans’ low-stress bike network has changed the fabric of our city,” said Allene La Spina, executive director of local nonprofit Bike Easy, in a press release. “It’s given riders the confidence to explore, and access the city on two wheels, and we’re thrilled to see that reflected in these impressive Blue Bikes ridership numbers. Building on this incredible momentum, we encourage the City of New Orleans to continue plans to build out over 75 miles of low-stress bike network.”
Blue Krewe is a community-based nonprofit that was founded in 2020 to revive a bikeshare program originally owned by Uber. The Greater New Orleans Foundation provided startup funding and fiscal sponsorship for the project. Additional partners include Bike Easy, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and the City of New Orleans.
“I am immensely proud of the success of our homegrown bikeshare system and the achievement of this new milestone,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “Blue Bikes has been a vital transportation alternative and is a key component in our strategy to lower our greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, as well as in our efforts to connect people to opportunity. My administration will continue to make the investments necessary to expand modes of transportation for all residents, including making walking and bicycling around the city safer and more accessible.”
Blue Bikes leaders will be advocating for more infrastructure improvements to help grow ridership.
“Reaching 300,000 rides this year is a testament to the incredible spirit of New Orleans and the power of community-run bikeshare,” said Geoff Coats, CEO of Blue Krewe. “With locals taking over 70 percent of all trips in 2023 and one out of every five trips being taken by our Blue Bikes for All members, Blue Bikes is a proven transportation solution that is revolutionizing the way that residents of New Orleans move around town. Seeing families, workers and visitors embrace this fun, affordable, and healthy way to explore our city is a clear message that New Orleanians are committed to building a more equitable and sustainable future, one pedal at a time.”
