Pedal to the Metal

New bike racks are welcome fixtures along the Lafitte Greenway.

April 6th, 2016 by: Misty Miloto

If you haven’t noticed, we love our bikes here in New Orleans. With groups such as NOLA Social Ride and others making bike riding even more fun, there’s really no reason to hop in your car to get across town. And now the City of New Orleans, Friends of Lafitte Greenway and the Young Leadership Council have partnered together to install 28 bicycle racks along the new Lafitte Greenway shared-use trail.

Funds from a Friends of Lafitte Greenway fundraising drive provided the needed financial support for Young Leadership Council’s Where Ya’ Rack project. The project, which started in 2008, provides convenient, secure bicycle parking throughout the Greater New Orleans area. The mission of the project is to encourage bicycling as an environmentally friendly and healthy option for commuting, short trips and errands.

Opened in Nov. 2015, the Lafitte Greenway is a linear park and trail connecting the French Quarter, Treme, Mid-City and Lakeview. The recent bike rack installation included new racks at seven different locations along the Greenway, including at the intersections of N. Carrollton Avenue, N. Pierce Street, N. Jefferson Davis Parkway, N. Broad Street, N. Galvez Street, N. Claiborne Avenue and N. Villere Street.

“Providing bike racks promotes healthy living and economic development along the Lafitte Greenway,” says Sophie Harris, executive director of the Friends of Lafitte Greenway. “Over 600 people use the Greenway daily. These quality bike racks encourage folks to use their bikes to visit the local businesses, parks and playgrounds along the Greenway.” To date, Where Ya’ Rack has installed more than 400 bike racks in Orleans, Jefferson and St. Bernard parishes. Fundraising efforts continue with the goal of providing at least 30 more bike racks in the coming months. whereyarack.org