A Difficult Week on Our Streets A letter from our Executive Director:This has been a difficult week.Over the course of just a few days, three people lost their lives while navigating New Orleans streets. One person was killed while riding a bicycle near Jackson Avenue and Claiborne. Another person was struck and killed while walking near Tulane Avenue and Norman C. Francis Parkway. Most recently, another person riding a bicycle died near St. Charles Avenue and Robert Street.Each of these tragedies occurred under different circumstances. Investigations are ongoing, and there is still much we do not know. But before we debate causes, assign fault, or search for explanations, there is a simple and painful truth: three people are gone. Three families, groups of friends, coworkers, neighbors, and communities are grieving.Ill be honest: this week broke my heart.As Bike Easys Executive Director, people often expect me to have a clear response when tragedies like these occur. The reality is that moments like this are incredibly difficult. Every fatality brings a wave of emotions: sadness, anger, frustration, fear, and sometimes even doubt. There are times when it feels like no matter how much advocacy, education, or organizing we do, change is not happening fast enough.And yet, these moments are also a reminder of why this work matters.More people than ever are relying on bicycles and walking to get around our city. For some, it is a choice. For others, it is a necessity. Every one of those people deserves to arrive home safely.One of the things Ive been reflecting on this week is how we tell these stories and how we talk about loss.Too often, conversations about traffic fatalities quickly become conversations about blame. Sometimes we rush to determine who was right, who was wrong, what rule was broken, or what decision was made. Those questions matter. But I worry that in our rush to answer them, we sometimes lose sight of the human impact.Every time someone dies on our streets, an entire circle of people is affected. Families. Friends. Coworkers. Neighbors. Entire communities are left carrying grief.Whether we are driving, biking, walking, rolling, or taking transit, there is a person behind every trip. A person behind the wheel. A person behind the handlebars. A person crossing the street. We are all vulnerable in different ways, and we all share responsibility for creating a culture of care on our streets.More than anything, I hope we can give one another grace.Grace for those who are grieving. Grace for those who are angry. Grace for those who are scared. Grace for those trying to make sense of what happened.Despite the heartbreak of this week, I still believe New Orleans is moving in the right direction. I see elected officials, public servants, advocates, and residents who genuinely care about making our streets safer. I believe progress is happening.But progress is not the same as urgency.Three lives lost in a single week is a reminder that safety must remain a priority. We need safer street designs. We need thoughtful enforcement. We need education. We need accountability. And we need to continue building a culture that values every human life, no matter how someone chooses; or needs to travel.As we continue to learn more about these incidents, Bike Easy will remain committed to advocating for safer streets and supporting efforts that make walking and biking safer for everyone.And for those who ride bicycles, I want to say this: dont let fear be the final takeaway from this week. Be cautious. Be alert. Look out for one another. But keep riding. The answer to these tragedies is not fewer people biking or walking. The answer is creating a city where people can do both safely.For now, I hope youll join me in taking a moment to remember those who lost their lives this week and the many people who are mourning them*.Take care of yourselves. Take care of each other.With gratitude,Allene La SpinaExecutive DirectorPS: I have intentionally left out the names of the individuals who died this week. Not because their identities dont matter, but because I want us to remember that these losses are not distant tragedies: they could happen to any of us or to someone we love.
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