Today we want to take a moment to thank the Bike Community for the great experiences it gave us this year. We truly believe that the adventures we had as individuals, have really helped us better understand the needs of our community, and it reminded us of the importance of our work. Read more about some of our adventures this year, and please share with us your own favorite bike moment this year!
Read below as our staff shares some recent biking adventures with you.
Eric Spinrad – Education Programs Coordinator Assistant – Bike Tour Guide!
Biking can be a mode of transportation, entertainment, exercise, as well as employment. Bike taxi and tour guide work are two examples of jobs that have utilized the bicycle. New Orleans itself is an easy to navigate city with little to no elevation, which can offer ease of bicycling, making it accessible to a wide range of individuals. Whether for work or entertainment, biking itself is a great way to explore and there are many paths and trails throughout the greater New Orleans area that make for great destinations.
Learn more about Eric here!
David Meza – Community Programs Coordinator – Bike Mechanic
I’ve worked as a bicycle mechanic for a few years at Dashing Bicycles. I was happy to join our first of our weekly shop rides, open for anyone to join. With the increase in popularity of gravel bikes, we’re putting together gravel rides, which include some off road riding.
We started our ride from Dashing Bicycles at 11am. Biking through the CBD and Quarter to the Sankofa Wetlands Park (excitedly shouting “Gravel!” as we rode over torn up streets). From there, we rode along the levee system, seeing signs indicating a future bike path along the currently unpaved route in the Arabi. We hopped a small fence to ride along the water on a long stretch of gravel. We made it down to Chalmette and rode side streets back through the quiet neighborhood before grabbing some post ride drinks in the Quarter.
Laura Harris – Education Programs Coordinator – Urban Planner & Bike Adventurer!
Earlier this year, I traveled to Cuba to study the country’s present state of transportation, with primary focus on the bicycle as a means of transportation and how this reflects on Cuban cities’ urban form. What better way to do that than by bike? Click here to check out my short film, “Movimiento Cubano”, and here to check out the accompanying photo essay painting a picture of how people move through Cuba today.
Learn more about Laura here!
Allene La Spina – Executive Director – Bike Commuter
On July 3rd, on a whim, I decided to sign up for this year’s NOMA to NOMA race. I have never ridden a road bike before, and had certainly never ridden 150 miles in one day. This new goal seemed to have a realistic timeline in my head, and things just sort of started falling into place. Someone donated a bike for my training, and so many others gave me an endless amount of advice on how to survive – and enjoy – this experience. I immersed myself in this experience to learn more about myself, the community, and the idea of having a safe path to ride around the lake – you know, that big project called Louisiana Bootlace Trail Network.
As hard, and challenging as this was, it is by far one of my biggest accomplishments. It wouldn’t have been made possible without the support of a community that welcomed me without judgement. It really inspired me to continue to pursue the impossible.
Learn more about Allene here!
Are there any experiences you would like us to be part of? We’re always looking at ways to get more involved with the community. Let us know by reaching out to info@bikeeasy.org
Thank y’all for making the bike community so special!
In service,
The Bike Easy Team
Upcoming events
- Tuesday, November 29 – Giving Tuesday – Launching our “How Do You Bike Easy” Campaign that day! Consider donating early here!
- Thursday, December 1 – 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm – We’re partnering with Blue Bikes for a bike light & helmet giveaway at Laurence Square Uptown, followed by joining the Nola Social Ride Uptown Ride
- Sunday, December 4 – 9:00 am to 1:00 pm – We’re holding a new Safety Sunday clean up on Galvez between St Bernard Ave and Esplanade Ave – For more info click here!
- Tuesday, December 6 – 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm – We’re hosting our End of Year Membership Party at Skeeta Hack Brewing! For more info and to RSVP click here!
- Tuesday, December 13 – 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm – We’re participating in the first NOCSC Bazaar & Happy Hour at Happy Raptor! Learn more about Coalition members, and support each of our end of year fundraisers!
Help us celebrate our 20th Anniversary in 2023!
Yes! We are turning 20 in 2023, and would love your help in making this a huge celebration of our community, and our wins! If you are interested in joining the planning committee for our birthday, please email Allene La Spina at allene@bikeeasy.org – We will be meeting a couple times a month from now till the end of the year, and will continue to meet throughout 2023. We hope to make this a year-long celebration, and are open to all of your ideas!