NEW ORLEANS- The temporary demonstration of improved transportation options, called "Connect the Crescent," has wrapped up as planned. Bike Easy and a coalition of partners, working with the City of New Orleans, introduced short-term protected bike lanes to demonstrate how streets can be transformed affordably to create a safe and equitable environment; and to foster conversation around infrastructure improvements. Temporary bike lanes on Baronne, Simon Bolivar, and the Canal St. Ferry Connector have been removed. Details were shared in a press release.
Bike Easy and the City of New Orleans continue to collect community input to guide plans for delivering permanent transportation solutions that are safe and convenient for all people – whether walking, biking, driving, or using transit. To learn more and share your input, visit www.connectthecrescent.com.
"As we continue to see wide-ranging infrastructure improvements, a network of connected bikeways can be part of solving the mobility challenges faced by everyone on the roadways – from reducing traffic congestion to connecting people to opportunity and jobs," said Dan Favre, Bike Easy executive director. "Protected, comfortable bike lanes also help ensure people biking ride with traffic and follow the rules of the road."
Bike Easy with a broad coalition of partners created the Connect the Crescent campaign to demonstrate the possibility of New Orleans becoming a more accessible and livable city through building a network of protected bikeways, improving pedestrian safety, and increasing connections to transit. Connect the Crescent has been working with community leaders to make New Orleans a safer and more equitable city. Bike lanes have already been permanently installed in places throughout the City and the region. The next steps involve filling gaps to create a completely connected, comfortable network that allows people on bikes to travel safely without inconveniencing people driving and walking.
"We made a promise to the City that we would create, and then clean up, temporary lanes to engage the community as part of a careful planning process that will ensure smart construction of permanent improvements," Favre continued. "We have delivered on that promise, and we are excited to continue working to give everyone more options to get where they are going quickly and safely by building bike infrastructure into overall transportation improvements."