New Orleans residents have gotten used to seeing new bike lanes appearing all over the city. Uptown, Lakeview, and Mid-City, for instance, have all experienced more bike-friendly streets, and there are now 37 miles of on-street bike lanes in New Orleans.
However, Downtown New Orleans has not enjoyed this same level of improvement. But, thanks to a recent ruling by Judge Lynn Luker, that’s about to change.
Pilot Program for a Downtown New Orleans Bike Lane
The push for a downtown New Orleans bike lane began earlier this year and became a reality in October when the city announced a pilot program for a dedicated bike lane on Baronne Street. The plan is to remove one of the automobile lanes on Baronne and convert it to a dedicated bike lane that would stretch from Canal to Calliope.
Not surprisingly, bike advocates were excited about the prospect of a new bike lane through downtown New Orleans. Local businesses owners, on the other hand, were not happy with the city’s decision, fearing an increase in traffic from shrinking Baronne to one lane for automobiles.
Downtown New Orleans Bike Lane Opposed By Local Business Owners
In October, Judge Luker temporarily blocked the pilot program. The request to halt the new bike lane came from several business owners on Baronne Street who claimed that their income and property would be damaged by the plan.
Last week, however, Judge Luker denied a request for a permanent stop to the new bike lane. Despite arguments about the traffic problems that would be caused, she found that the business owners didn’t show that they would be “irreparably harmed” by the new lane.
After Judge Luker’s ruling, the new dedicated bike lane will become a reality, and city officials have already indicated that the lane should be installed by early December, if not sooner.
Effects of the New Bike Lane
Based on recent census data, approximately 4 percent of New Orleans residents ride their bikes to work. The new bike lane will give these workers a safe route through the CBD and the Warehouse District, whether they work Downtown or in other areas, such as the French Quarter.
But, even with these improvements and the laws that protect bike riders, bicycle accidents still happen far too often in New Orleans. So far this year, four New Orleans bicycle riders have lost their lives in accidents with vehicles. This number is simply unacceptable.
Hopefully, this new bike lane, and the others that are being added around the city, will help to reduce the number of bicycle accidents by better protecting bike riders.
New Orleans Bicycle Accident Attorney
I understand the laws that protect cyclists and am here to help. If you’ve been involved in a bicycle accident in Louisiana, call a New Orleans personal injury attorney at (504) 564-7342 so we start working to get you compensated for your injuries. Additionally, if you’ve been involved in a hit and run accident contact a hit and run lawyer today to discuss the details of your case today.