Frequently Asked Questions
The Moving New Orleans Bikes project has involved extensive public engagement through community meetings, online commenting, and direct engagement with residents. Below are common questions and answers that have arisen through our discussions with residents.
Do you have questions not listed below? Contact us at movingneworleans@nola.gov.
This list will be updated as projects and engagement continue forward.
Why are cars being de-prioritized for bikes?
Our efforts seek to create more transportation options and provide residents with multiple safe and affordable ways to get around the city. About 20% of New Orleans households don't have access to a private vehicle, so transportation networks in New Orleans need to include options in addition to cars to meet the needs of our residents. In many cases, the ongoing roadway projects are pairing bikeways with necessary road repairs which is of benefit to all users, including people that are driving cars and trucks.
Why is the Curbline being changed at intersections?
At some intersections along project corridors, changes may be made to the curbline, either through concrete work or striping. These changes are often intended to improve safety at an intersection by narrowing the roadway to shorten pedestrian crossing distances, tightening corner radii to promote slower and safer turning speeds for vehicles, or to maintain clear sight lines. In some cases, the changes to the curbline creates space to remove impervious surfaces and/or include stormwater management opportunities to improve drainage conditions.
What are parking protected bike lanes?
Parking protected bike lanes are designed with the bike lane against the curb and a buffer space and on-street parking between the bike lane and the general travel lane(s). This design creates a greater separation between people bicycling and motor vehicle traffic and clearer expectations for roadway users as to where to expect to encounter each other, increasing roadway safety. This design also reduces pedestrian crossing distances by breaking up the crossing with the parking lane, increasing safety for people walking. Design considerations are made to maintain sight lines at intersections and driveways
What about making bicyclists follow the rules?
The City and our partners in the community have and continue to implement various education and outreach efforts to raise understanding and awareness of safety and traffic laws for people walking, bicycling, and driving. This includes media campaigns, printed materials, and workshops. These education and awareness initiatives are ongoing efforts, similar to other traffic safety messaging around seat belt use or distracted driving.
Additionally, building infrastructure that supports various modes of travel promotes safe and proper usage of the road. In partnership with the University of New Orleans, we've documented that when bicycle infrastructure is added to a roadway, there is an increase in the percentage of people using the roadway properly.
What was the timeline for public engagement?
The Moving New Orleans Bikes public engagement process started in 2019. Several hundred people attended 11 public meetings and over 2,200 people shared comments through the online feedback map. Details on this process, including presentations from all the meetings are posted on the Moving New Orleans Bikes website. As projects now move into implementation, public engagement around specific projects will continue including conceptual design and pre-construction meetings for groups of roadways.
Why are lanes being removed from a road?
Some projects designs will involve reconfiguring the roadway layout, this is sometimes known as a road diet. A road diet is generally described as removing travel lanes from a roadway and utilizing the space for other uses or modes, and is one of the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) 20 proven countermeasures for improving roadway safety.
This design approach improves safety by better utilizing the roadway space to create safer and more comfortable roadways for all users, people walking, bicycling, and driving. Wide multi-lane roads allow and even encourage people to drive at high speeds, which is a leading cause of crashes. The reconfiguration acts as traffic calming, slowing the speed of motor vehicle traffic and improving safety for everyone.
The Department of Public Works Traffic Engineering Division reviews any roadway being considered for reconfiguration to ensure that traffic volumes are within acceptable ranges for the number of lanes being proposed. This ensures that roadway designs are balanced to meet the needs of all users in a safe manner.