Around this time of year, I’d usually be returning from the National Bike Summit hosted by the League of American Bicyclists, where I’ve served as Louisiana’s State Representative for years lobbying at Senate and Congress level. Unfortunately, due to a challenging 2025 fundraising year, travel outside of New Orleans was one of the many expenses we had to cut.
The silver lining is that I’ve been able to stay local and continue meeting with new and returning Council Members: This week I met with Council Member McCarron and her team to add to my meetings with Council Member King and his team,Council Member Hughes’ team, and Council Member Harris’ Team. I also connected with the Blue Bikes team, the New Orleans Health Department, and Department of Public Works. On top of that. I’ve been writing and submitting grants and supporting in-person events like Bike Valet at Wednesday at The Square and March Madness with the Lafitte Greenway Partnership during the Crescent City Farmer’s Market.
Suffice it to say; it’s been a hectic week with long days doing what I love: advocating for a safer, better future for our bike community!
Today’s message isn’t just and update: it’s a call to action.
We have a major opportunity to make our voices heard! Next Thursday, April 2nd, the City Council’s Transportation Committee will meet to discuss several projects that are critical to the future of biking and transit in New Orleans. The Agenda will be posted the day before (Sorry – I don’t make the rules) and will include the following:
- Safer St Claude: LADOTD (Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development) will be giving an update on the St Claude Ave Study they committed to last year during the meeting hosted by Distric C at the St Roch Community Church.
- Safe Streets for All: Remember the Mobility Safety Summit and the surveys sent out to identify concerns, guide priorities, and determine the high injury network, among other done last year? Well, the Safety Action Plan will be presented that day!
- Transit Updates: We will also hear presentations on the Amtrak Mardi Gras Line and updates from the Louis Armstrong Airport.
The full agenda will be posted on Wednesday, along with the link to submit public comments (typically open till 8:00 am on the day of meeting).
Ways to take action:
- Show up in person:
- Tuesday April 2nd
- City Council Chamber (1300 Perdido Street)
- Make a Public comment:
- If you can’t attend, your written voice still matter. Save this link and check the day before so you can submit comment.
- Learn more about the Safer St Claude Campaign
- Click here for 5 quick actions about this campaign. The presentation has also been updated with findings from our interactive activity during SPARK: Light Up St Claude event on January 10 hosted by the Bywater Marigny Business Organization.
Let’s make sure to make our voices heard!
Other ways to support the direction of our city and region
- Fill out the New Orleans Department of Health and Human Services Community Health Assessment. Input gathered through the survey will help to determine how NOHSSS can best serve the City of
New Orleans and its residents and work towards a healthier city. Deadline is May 31st - Fill out the New Orleans Heat Action Plan Public Survey. This survey will identify where heat is worst in our cuty, who is most affected and what the city can do to keep people safe. Deadline is May 31st
- Fill out the Regional Planning Commission Survey. Your input will help identify current challenges, prioritize future projects, and ensure that the transportation system meets the needs of all!
Last, but not least, I’ve had a few requests to start doing weekly video updates on our social media channels to meetings and keep you in the loop. It could also be a space for me to answer questions about our work.
What do you think? Is there something you would like to learn more about?
Looking forward to hearing back from you – no idea is a bad idea IMO 🙂
In Service,
Allene La Spina
Executive Director at Bike Easy