Shaded Bike Routes

Recommended bicycling routes under shade of tree canopy in New Orleans

Laura Harris, August 2024

 

While New Orleans offers an increasingly comprehensive  bikeway network , many of these designated bike routes lack adequate shade to provide reasonable comfort for people traveling by bike during the city’s many months of extreme heat.  Several studies have demonstrated that providing shade canopy can reduce surface temperatures by as much as 19 degrees Celsius . The map and highlighted routes below offer suggestions for bicycle routes that are both low-stress for riding a bike in the roadway, as well as provide ample shade from tree canopy for cooler temperatures along the ride.

 

These suggested routes were created to increase bicycle usage.
Users of these suggested routes should be aware that potential hazards and obstructions may exist on the suggested routes shown and this map does not guarantee safe cycling conditions or reflect road conditions including pavement conditions, traffic volume, or speed. 
Bike Easy disclaims any responsibility for errors, omissions or inaccuracies in this map and in no event shall this party be liable for any damage or loss of any kind related to the data and information contained on this map.

Highlighted Routes

Esplanade Ave.

French Quarter to Bayou St. John

Esplanade Avenue from Bayou St. John to N. Peters St.

To travel from the downriver edge of the French Quarter towards Bayou St. John and City Park, Esplanade Avenue offers shade of oaks for the majority of this 2.5 mile stretch.

Bienville Street

N. Claiborne Ave. to City Park Ave.
 

Shaded portion of Bienville Street from City Park Avenue to N. Claiborne

A great shaded alternative to the Lafitte Greenway, which, while being a great separated bike path, still needs some years for the trees to grow tall enough to provide significant shade along the route.

St. Charles Avenue

S. Carrollton to Jackson Avenue
 

St. Charles Avenue from S. Carrollton to Jackson Ave.

Uptown’s famous avenue offers shade of live oak canopy for much of this 4.5 corridor traversing the areas from Carrollton, Audubon Park, and Tulane & Loyola Universities to the Lower Garden District.

N. Dorgenois Street

St. Peter St. to St. Bernard Ave.

An ideal shaded alternative for accessing the Broad Street corridor, which, while Broad Street does offer a bike lane, it does not offer any protection and is completely lacking in shade. N. Dorgenois is a low-stress residential street lined with mature live oak trees.

N. Dorgenois Street

Analysis and Recommendations

As New Orleans continues to build out its  bikeway blueprint network plan , it should be acknowledged that many of the designated bike routes lack the adequate shade deserved for comfort of people traveling by bike during the city’s many months of extreme heat.

 

Planners should work together with the Parks and Parkways Department to focus tree planting and maintenance efforts along the gaps in the network. Notable areas that are especially lacking in corridor shade access include Central City, New Orleans East and the Ninth Ward.