BIKE: Bikes, Peds & Streetcars in New Orleans

[alan_drake]

I live 2.5 blocks from St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans :-) and use the green space there frequently.

More than one visitor to our city has been shocked to see the two jogging trails on the St. Charles Avenue neutral ground.  They are located right between the streetcar rails.  Streetcars ring their bells and joggers step aside to let them pass (it is a major faux pas to hold up a streetcar).  The more experienced joggers go in the direction of the streetcars (fewer step asides as they approach from the rear).

A most interesting symbosis between 20 ton machines and people.

Walkers take the space in between the two tracks where they can more easily step around shrubs, etc.

However, by general consensus, bicyclists are not allowed on the St. Charles neutral ground.  There is, AFAIK, no specific law.  It is apparently just an evolved social agreement (as so much is in this city :-).  The risk of collision between joggers and streetcars is almost nonexistant, but bikes are seen as a danger to peds.  The delta in weight seems not to affect perceptions !

On the new Canal Streetcar Line, about 12 blocks of neutral ground are paved in concrete between the CBD and the French Quarter.  This has been ceded pretty much to the bicyclists (and streetcars).  Peds take the sidewalks on either side of Canal.  A few of the streetcar operators are complaining that the bikers are not being careful enough, but no actions are being taken (other than some conversations, which is all to the good IMO).

My overall impression is that things are slowly "working out" in sharing the ROW on Canal between streetcars & bicyclists.

At the foot of Canal is a major ped area, with several turning streets and streetcars.  Most bicyclists dismount and walk their bikes for this block if there is much traffic.

Just another perspective,

Alan

PS: Things look good for ~$7.5 million for bikelanes in the next road bond election.