City of New Orleans announces new bike share program partnership
Share
Updated: 3:38 PM CST Jan 14, 2021
WDSU Digital Team
Share
Updated: 3:38 PM CST Jan 14, 2021
WDSU Digital Team
The City of New Orleans announced Thursday the approval of a new bike program partnership. Mayor LaToya Cantrell approved the partnership with a non-profit organization called Blue Krewe of New Orleans. The partnership would bring back a bike-sharing program to New Orleans. "Blue Krewe will ensure a healthy, equitable transportation option established and operated by and for the people of New Orleans. Bike share is a proven transportation solution for New Orleans with many benefits for residents and visitors," the city said in a statement. City Council approved Mayor Cantrell's proposed cooperative endeavor agreement negotiated with Blue Krewe at today's meeting.“This new local partnership with Blue Krewe brings together experience in bike share operations with local knowledge and local passion around our shared goal of operating a successful bike share program in New Orleans. The city is excited to work side-by-side with the Blue Krewe team to bring bike share back to our residents,” Mayor Cantrell said in an issued statement. The city previously used a program called Blue Bikes. The city said the success during the prior bike share program, which ceased operations last March, proved there is significant demand within the New Orleans community for affordable, equitable, active transportation. According to the city, in the first two years of operations, more than 66,000 riders rode more than a million miles. In 2019 alone, riders took more than 438,000 trips – an increase of 66% over 2018 ridership. Trips by riders in the program’s reduced-fare initiative increased 109% between year one and year two of operations. For many residents, bike share proved to be an essential way for them to get to work and to move safely through the city, according to the news release issued by the city. “We have many forward-thinking advocates in this city that have made improving transportation a priority, and the commitment to introducing a new bike-sharing network to our city is a prime example. I want to welcome Blue Krewe, a nonprofit that will invest in our city, rather than their bottom line, and provide our residents with a sustainable, equitable, and affordable transportation option,” Kristin Gisleson Palmer, City Councilmember for District C and Chair of the Transportation Committee, said in an issued statement. The CEO of Blue Krewe is Geoff Coats, who launched and ran the New Orleans bike share operations for Social Bicycles in 2017 and was General Manager of the endeavor until Uber sold the company in 2020. “Blue Krewe has ambitious goals that will only be accomplished with the support of individuals, businesses, and philanthropists in our community,” said Geoff Coats. “We invite – in fact, we implore – everyone in New Orleans who shares our vision of a healthier, active and more sustainable future for our city to join us in supporting this pioneering effort to relaunch bike share for our community. Individuals can become Founding Members and businesses can learn more about becoming Founding Supporters by emailing info@bluekrewe.org.”