What we are witnessing in front of the Chic-fil-a on Loyola Avenue and around the city is a manifestation of disregard for the any mode of traffic that isn’t a motor vehicle.

Painted bike lanes, like those depicted here, are aesthetic illusions of safety. They serve as symbolic gestures meant to appease rather than protect. These lanes do nothing to challenge the hegemony of the automobile, a pillar of a commodified urban environment that prioritizes profit, convenience, and fossil fuel dependence over human lives and ecological sanity.

Vehicles parked in bike lanes are not just inconveniences—they are reminders that our public space has been surrendered to private interest. As a result, bicyclists are forced into dangerous proximity with speeding traffic.

The city’s refusal to install separated, protected bike lanes is not a logistical oversight—it is a political choice, one that reaffirms whose mobility and whose lives are deemed expendable.

To build a just and livable city, we must confront the carceral logic of car culture and demand collective investment in sustainable, people-centered infrastructure. True freedom of movement will not come from painted lines—it will come from solidarity, struggle, and a radical reimagining of how we share space.

Bike Lane Uprising

While protracted, separated bike lanes is the better solution, Bike Lane Uprising is seeking to address the current poorly thought out bike lanes that we have, until separated bike lanes are realized. Some bicyclist approach and confront motorist parked in the bike lane. We don’t encourage these interactions as they can encourage hostile encounters. The better solution would be haling down law enforcement. However, they themselves are sometimes parked in the bike lane.

Even if your goal is to calmly explain the issue, approaching drivers who are obstructing bike lanes can often lead to unproductive or even hostile interactions. Instead, consider focusing your energy on spreading awareness within your own circles—friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors. People who know and respect you are more likely to listen and take your concerns more seriously than someone confronted unexpectedly on the street.

A more effective and less confrontational option is using the Bike Lane Uprising app. It allows cyclists to easily report bike lane obstructions from anywhere in the U.S. or Canada. These reports go into a central database that has helped push drivers and companies to change their practices, supported legal cases, influenced new laws, and pressured cities to build safer bike infrastructure. What began as a local effort has grown into a powerful tool for cyclists across North America.

Submitting a report is simple, and even basic information is helpful. Details like photos, location, license plate numbers, company names, and the date and time of the obstruction help identify patterns and repeat offenders. This data has been crucial in targeting problem areas and working with businesses and city officials to create long-term solutions.

The interactive maps on Bike Lane Uprising provide a detailed visualization of bike lane obstructions, including one specifically for New Orleans. These maps show a running total of obstructions reported in the city, along with a breakdown by obstruction type. Users can choose between heat, pin, and cluster map views to explore the data, and by clicking on individual reports in pin and cluster views, they can see submitted images and obstruction details. The maps also offer filters to view specific types of obstructions, with preferences retained as users toggle between map views. Additionally, users can quickly compare New Orleans' data with national averages and other cities. Any obstruction report with a location is displayed on the map, and the maps are updated every three hours to reflect the latest submissions.

Beyond offering detailed visualizations, these maps play a crucial role in raising awareness about the challenges cyclists face in New Orleans. They help inform city planners and the public, prompting improvements in bike infrastructure. They also support data-driven decisions for urban planning by pinpointing where and when obstructions occur. Advocates can use this data to push for safer, more accessible biking conditions across the city.

Separated Bike Lanes: The Path Forward for Urban Cycling

The Protected Bike Lane on N. Peters in the French Quarter.

The ultimate goal for a bike-friendly New Orleans is the widespread implementation of separated bicycle lanes, also known as protected bike lanes. These are bike lanes physically separated from motor vehicle traffic by a concrete barrier. We've seen early examples in New Orleans on North Peters Street, Elysian Fields Avenue, and Gentilly Boulevard. While these implementations are far from perfect—cars still encroach on them, especially at intersections—they represent a crucial step in the right direction.

Separated bike lanes significantly reduce traffic stress, making streets more comfortable, safe, and inviting for cyclists of all ages and skill levels. According to a landmark study by the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), protected bike lanes can increase ridership by as much as 171% in one year. They create a clear visual and physical boundary that not only improves safety but also reduces conflicts between bikes and cars.

In terms of safety, a study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that protected bike lanes reduced the risk of injury by 90% compared to major streets without any bike infrastructure. Furthermore, cities that have embraced separated bike lanes—such as New York, Montreal, and Copenhagen—have consistently seen reductions in collisions and increases in ridership across all demographics.

Separated lanes also help address equity in mobility. They provide a safer option for children, the elderly, and those who are interested in biking but concerned about safety—commonly referred to as the "interested but concerned" group, which makes up 60% of potential riders according to a widely cited study from Portland State University.

Ultimately, protected bike infrastructure is not just about cyclists—it contributes to better cities. It reduces congestion, improves air quality, and boosts local economies by encouraging more people to bike rather than drive. Businesses along protected bike lanes often see increased foot traffic and sales, as found in a New York City Department of Transportation study showing a 49% increase in retail sales after installing a protected lane on 9th Avenue.

To make New Orleans a truly bikeable city, we must invest in a connected network of continuous, physically separated bike lanes—not just fragments here and there, but a citywide system that supports everyday biking as a safe, reliable, and appealing transportation choice.

—Eric Gabourel

Symbolic Safety: The Illusion of Painted Bike Lanes

Bike Lane Uprising

Separated Bike Lanes: The Path Forward for Urban Cycling