New Orleans is set to receive a nice chunk of change from the EPA, about fifty million dollars, to go toward helping the city become more environmentally friendly.
This includes projects that reduce carbon emissions including the creation of more bike lanes. But, it seems to most, that the current bike lanes are unused.
Dan Jatres, Infrastructure Projects Administrator for the Office of Resilience and Sustainability for New Orleans, says that not only are bikes more environmentally friendly, but by embracing biking more as a city, it can improve quality of life.
“One in five households in New Orleans don’t have a motor vehicle. We want to provide residents with options.”
Jatres says that not seeing riders in the bike lanes is mainly anecdotal, but expansion of the lanes could have an “if you build it they will come” effect. The hope is that by making more of the city accessible by bicycle, more people would consider the mode of transportation.
“We want residents to be able to consider the trip they need to take and then choose the best and most affordable option to get to their destination.”
It’s also important to note that the entire fifty million dollars isn’t just about bike lanes. It also provides for expansion of bike sharing, repairs to roadways, and reducing emissions by city buildings.
Jatres added there will be community input meetings for residents to voice concerns or give suggestions and ideas. Find out more at nola.gov/iiaa