Tomorrow is Election Day, and we want to encourage everyone to make a plan to vote. Polls are open Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thank you as well to everyone who already voted early: we appreciate you showing up and staying engaged in local issues that shape our streets, neighborhoods, and daily lives.Below, were sharing a helpful voter guide from the Committee for a Better New Orleans to help you prepare before heading to the polls.A few Bike Easy updates before you dive in:Our Policy & Design Committee Advisory Group met for the second month in a row, continuing conversations around infrastructure, safety, and accountability across New Orleans. One immediate success: after raising concerns about the broken light at the Lafitte Greenway and Claiborne, we learned the light was repaired on Tuesday. We appreciate the quick response and challenge the City to bring that same urgency to fixing the remaining broken lights along the Greenway. Proper lighting is critical for safety on one of the citys most-used active transportation corridors. To learn more about our Committee click hereWeve also been actively working with the Sewerage & Water Board regarding the sudden closure at Washington Avenue and Norman C. Francis Parkway. The current traffic advisory was distributed after the road closure had already begun and primarily focused on vehicular traffic detours, without meaningful guidance for people biking or walking through the corridor: even though there is an existing bike lane there. We are working with SWBNO and partners to push for an acceptable and safe detour plan. Stay tuned for updates.Lastly, if you renewed your membership during GiveNOLA Day, thank you! Weve finally finished entering all membership information into our database. If youd like to check whether your membership is current, you can do so here.And one more reminder: please make sure to vote tomorrow. Local elections matter, and your voice matters too.Click here for CBNOs voting guideHave a lovely weekend.In Service,Allene La SpinaExecutive Director

Were excited to share that the first four days of early giving for GiveNOLA Day have been an incredible start for Bike Easy! So far, weve received 29 donations totaling $3,135, including 12 new donors; making this one of our most successful early giving launches yet.Thank you to everyone who has already given and helped build this momentum. It truly means a lot.Click here to donate today!Wed also love to celebrate with you in person! Join us for our Lemonade Happy Hour in partnership with Blue Krewe and the Lafitte Greenway Partnership on Tuesday, May 5 from 46 PM at the Greenway Roundabout. Come say hello, connect with the community, and enjoy a refreshing break with us.Looking ahead to GiveNOLA Day, were aiming to keep this energy goingand you can help us go even further. One fun way to get involved is by signing up to give during a specific hour on May 5. This helps increase our chances of winning $500 lagniappe prizes throughout the day. Click on this form to sign up, and we will send you a calendar invite with a reminder and a link to donate.Thank you again for being part of this work and helping move Bike Easy forward.In gratitudeBike Easy Team

Happy Friday! Im excited to share some meaningful news from last night, I was honored to receive the Womens Transportation Seminar Greater New Orleans Chapter Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership Award.The Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership Award honors an individual who has made significant contributions to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the transportation industry, while advancing the mission of WTS.This years award recipient is Allene La Spina, Executive Director of Bike Easy, New Orleans leading nonprofit advocating for safe and enjoyable bicycling. Under Allenes leadership, Bike Easy expanded its operational capacity, staff, partnerships, and geographic reach to better serve communities across Greater New Orleans. Her approach to education centers on meeting people where they are and giving them the tools to feel confident and safe.That means building curriculum that works for kids, teens, adults, and drivers. Every year, Bike Easy hosts numerous bike safety trainings, driver education workshops, community rides, and outreach events, demonstrating a deep commitment to inclusive, peoplefocused transportation education. I personally love the idea of working with both professional drivers and the public about safe driving in the People Friendly Driving classes, especially since our chapter also provides a drivers education scholarship every year.Allene is a tireless advocate for safer streets and a fearless voice for bicyclists. Whether speaking at City Hall or organizing in the community. As she so perfectly puts it: Showing up matters. If were not in the room, the needs of people who bike dont get heard.This recognition reflects the collective work of our community to advance safer, more equitable streets for everyone, and Im deeply grateful to all of you who make that work possible.As many of you head out to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, I hope youre enjoying the music, the food, and everything that makes this season so special. Remember to check the Purple Way guide as you get around the next couple of weeks for all the tips you need to know to bike there, take transit, and use bike share among other options. I plan to come out a couple of days to lend a hand to our friends at Blue Krewe at their station on Fortin Street. With all of this energy in the air, Im excited to invite you to join us at several upcoming Bike Easy events in the weeks ahead:Give NOLA Day (May 5) is right around the corner, and early giving begins April 28! This year, Bike Easy is proud to be part of this powerful community-wide effort organized by the Greater New Orleans Foundation, with a goal of raising $20,000 to support safer, more equitable streets across our region. If you believe in this work, I hope youll consider making a donation starting on April 28th, every donation helps us continue advocating, educating, and building a culture of safety for all who use our streets. Bookmark this link and set a reminder to donate As part of our Give Nola campaign, we will be co-hosting a bike ride with Blue Bikes:We are also bringing back our Lemonade Happy Hour on Tuesday, May 5th in partnership with Blue Bikes and the Lafitte Greenway Partnership at the Greenway Circle from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Come and say hello! Youll have a chance to learn about all of our organizations, donate to our Give Nola campaigns, and get some of Bike Easys merchandise, also available at Bayou Bicycles!Other upcoming events include:Bike Easy is excited to have you join our 3-PartSmart Biking Workshop.ThisFREEcourse is designed for those who want to becomesmarter, safer and more confident bike riders. To learn more and to register, click here.Bike Easys~Biking After Dark~is aFREE workshopfor those who want to learn how to be safer biking at night! Biking after dark can be fun, but it is important to plan ahead and make sure you always have the right equipment to be visible every time you get on your bike. To learn more and to register, click here.Last, but not least, we have a couple more Bike Valets at Wednesday at the Square in the next couple of weeks. Ill be there on Wednesday, April 29 to promote our Give Nola campaign and answer any questions you may have for us! So come and say hello.Thank you again for all your support and enjoy this lovely biking weather!In Service,{{broadcaster.name}}Executive Director

Early giving for GiveNOLA Day is officially open (April 28May 4), and now is the perfect time to support Bike Easy.Whether youre signing up as a member, renewing your commitment, or simply giving a little TLC to an organization you care about; your support makes a real difference.Donate TodayRight now, the landscape for nonprofit funding is shifting. Federal funding continues to dry up, and grant opportunities are becoming more competitive than ever. That means community support isnt just helpful; its essential. We need your help now to keep pushing forward safer, more equitable streets across Greater New Orleans.If Bike Easys work has meant something to you, I hope youll consider making a gift during early givingand help us build momentum heading into GiveNOLA Day.Donate HereYou can also make a big impact by sharing our GiveNOLA page with your friends, family, and networks. Every share helps grow our community of support. Share this link: https://www.givenola.org/organization/bike-easyAlso, make sure to check out some of our upcoming events:And also find us at our Bike Valet at Wednesday at The Square on Wednesday, April 29th and during our annual lemonade Happy Hour with the Greenway Partnership and Blue Bikes on Tuesday, May 5th from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Greenway Circle.Thank you for being part of this work! We truly couldnt do it without you.With gratitude,Bike Easy Team

In March, we teamed up with Louisiana Cancer Prevention (LCP) to promote colorectal cancer awareness, during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.We worked with the local team to invite people around the region to host group bike rides and provide them with educational and promotional materials for attendees as well as promoting their rides to our audience. LCP ordered special blue lights that could be attached to the bikes and said Start at 45 to educate people around starting to test at age 45 and using the color for colorectal cancer awareness.We encouraged groups to theme their bicycle ride around blue to help promote this great cause. Blue Bikes was a clear partner and they led the charge by leading the first community ride at the beginning of March.Check out their Instagram post.The Crescent City Rollers teamed up with us on the final Thursday of the month with people meeting outside of our office and Rosa with LCP came out along with a pop-up display to better educate everyone in attendance about why this effort is so important, especially in Louisiana.Colorectal Cancer is one of the deadliest cancers in Louisiana, and its very manageable if caught so early detection saves lives.Were happy to have found this partnership to help promote this great cause and thank everyone who helped organize or came out and joined a ride!

In March, we teamed up with Louisiana Cancer Prevention (LCP) to promote colorectal cancer awareness, during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.We worked with the local team to invite people around the region to host group bike rides and provide them with educational and promotional materials for attendees as well as promoting their rides to our audience. LCP ordered special blue lights that could be attached to the bikes and said Start at 45 to educate people around starting to test at age 45 and using the color for colorectal cancer awareness.We encouraged groups to theme their bicycle ride around blue to help promote this great cause. Blue Bikes was a clear partner and they led the charge by leading the first community ride at the beginning of March. The Crescent City Rollers teamed up with us on the final Thursday of the month with people meeting outside of our office and Rosa with LCP came out along with a pop-up display to better educate everyone in attendance about why this effort is so important, especially in Louisiana.Colorectal Cancer is one of the deadliest cancers in Louisiana, and its very manageable if caught so early detection saves lives.Were happy to have found this partnership to help promote this great cause and thank everyone who helped organize or came out and joined a ride!

A letter from our Executive DirectorAround this time of year, Id usually be returning from the National Bike Summit hosted by the League of American Bicyclists, where Ive served as Louisianas State Representative for years lobbying at Senate and Congress level. Unfortunately, due to a challenging 2025 fundraising year, travel outside of New Orleans was one of the many expenses we had to cut.Consider making a donation to Bike Easy today by clicking hereThe silver lining is that Ive been able to stay local and continue meeting with new and returning Council Members: This week I met with Council Member McCarron and her team to add to my meetings with Council Member King and his team,Council Member Hughes team, and Council Member Harris Team. I also connected with the Blue Bikes team, the New Orleans Health Department, and Department of Public Works. On top of that. Ive been writing and submitting grants and supporting in-person events like Bike Valet at Wednesday at The Square and March Madness with the Lafitte Greenway Partnership during the Crescent City Farmers Market. Suffice it to say; its been a hectic week with long days doing what I love: advocating for a safer, better future for our bike community!Todays message isnt just and update: its a call to action. We have a major opportunity to make our voices heard! Next Thursday, April 2nd, the City Councils Transportation Committee will meet to discuss several projects that are critical to the future of biking and transit in New Orleans. The Agenda will be posted the day before (Sorry I dont make the rules) and will include the following:Safer St Claude: LADOTD (Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development) will be giving an update on the St Claude Ave Study they committed to last year during the meeting hosted by Distric C at the St Roch Community Church.Safe Streets for All: Remember the Mobility Safety Summit and the surveys sent out to identify concerns, guide priorities, and determine the high injury network, among other done last year? Well, the Safety Action Plan will be presented that day!Transit Updates: We will also hear presentations on the Amtrak Mardi Gras Line and updates from the Louis Armstrong Airport.The full agenda will be posted on Wednesday, along with the link to submit public comments (typically open till 8:00 am on the day of meeting).Ways to take action:Show up in person:Tuesday April 2ndCity Council Chamber (1300 Perdido Street)Make a Public comment:If you cant attend, your written voice still matter. Save this link and check the day before so you can submit comment.Learn more about the Safer St Claude CampaignClick here for 5 quick actions about this campaign. The presentation has also been updated with findings from our interactive activity during SPARK: Light Up St Claude event on January 10 hosted by the Bywater Marigny Business Organization.Click here for 5 quick actions around our Safer St Claude CampaignLets make sure to make our voices heard!Other ways to support the direction of our city and regionFill out the New Orleans Department of Health and Human Services Community Health Assessment. Input gathered through the survey will help to determine how NOHSSS can best serve the City ofNew Orleans and its residents and work towards a healthier city. Deadline is May 31stFill out the New Orleans Heat Action Plan Public Survey. This survey will identify where heat is worst in our cuty, who is most affected and what the city can do to keep people safe. Deadline is May 31stFill out the Regional Planning Commission Survey. Your input will help identify current challenges, prioritize future projects, and ensure that the transportation system meets the needs of all!Last, but not least, Ive had a few requests to start doing weekly video updates on our social media channels to meetings and keep you in the loop. It could also be a space for me to answer questions about our work. What do you think? Is there something you would like to learn more about?Looking forward to hearing back from you no idea is a bad idea IMO In Service,Allene La SpinaExecutive Director at Bike Easy

Were excited to announce that Bike Easys Policy & Design Committee has open seats, and we want to fill them with people from across the city!*The Policy and Design Committee is where we figure out what Bike Easys positions are on the stuff that affects people on bikes in New Orleans. Road projects. City policy. State legislation. When someone asks what does Bike Easy think about this? the answer most often comes from this committee.Our bylaws set aside 10 seats specifically for community members. People from the community who ride bikes (or want to) in Greater New Orleans. Are you one of them?Apply hereHeres what the commitment looks like: one evening meeting a month, about 90 minutes. These are working meetings. We show up, we produce something: a public comment letter, a position statement, testimony for a council hearing and we leave with things to do before next month. If youve been to meetings that are mostly people talking at you for an hour, this isnt that.You dont need a policy background or a planning degree. You need to care about safe streets and be willing to show up regularly for a year. We especially want to hear from folks in neighborhoods that dont always get a seat when decisions are made about our streets.Interested? Fill out our short application here. Deadline to apply is Sunday. March 22nd at midnight, and first meeting is currently scheduled for Tuesday, April 14th and then on every second Tuesday of the month.Know someone who should be on this committee but probably wont apply on their own? You can nominate them: just reply to this email with their name and a sentence about why you think theyll be a good fit. Well reach out to them directly.Other ways to support the direction of our city and regionFill out the New Orleans Department of Health and Human Services Community Health Assessment. Input gathered through the survey will help to determine how NOHSSS can best serve the City ofNew Orleans and its residents and work towards a healthier city.Fill out the Regional Planning Commission Survey. Your input will help identify current challenges, prioritize future projects, and ensure that the transportation system meets the needs of all!Looking forward to hearing back from you.In Service,{{broadcaster.name}} Executive Director at Bike Easy Policy & Design Committee Co-ChairAdam Davies Bike Easy Board Member Policy & Design Committee Co-ChairCharlie Thomas Bike Easy VIP and Legal Advisor*PS: If you are a current Bike Easy Member, you should have received this invitation last week Thank you all who applied so far!

Pedal for Colorectal Cancer Awareness!This March, during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the Louisiana Cancer Prevention & Control Programs (LCP) and Bike Easy are teaming up to spread awareness, one bike ride at a time.Colorectal cancer is one of the deadliest cancers in Louisiana, but early detection saves lives. Thats where you come in.Were looking for ride leaders and riders to help promote Colorectal Cancer Awareness during the month of March. If youre interested in hosting a group ride read below on how to register your ride with us!If youre a solo rider looking to join a social ride theres no better time than now to get involved to help promote this important campaign.So far, we have 2 rides registered during March:March 12 @ The Laffite Greenway and Norman C Francis.Blue Krewe Social RideRolls at 6pmMarch 26 @ Bike Easys Office (3530 Toulouse St)Crescent City Riders Social RideMeets at 7:30Well be adding more as they sign up to our event page , so be sure to check back for more opportunities to ride!Sign up your own rideAre you part of a biking group?Or have you been looking for a reason to host a ride in your community?We invite biking groups across Louisiana to join this statewide effort by hosting a ride that promotes colorectal cancer awareness in a fun, engaging way.How It WorksGetting involved is easy:Register your ride on the Bike Easy website (event page).Plan your ride (short or long, casual or themed, its up to you).Incorporate colorectal cancer awareness education during the ride or event.Acknowledge your collaboration with LCP and Bike Easy.To help make your ride stand out, participating groups can request blue bike lights (blue is the colorectal cancer awareness color!) for riders to wear (creating a powerful visual impact in your community)Lights are available on a first-come, first-served basis.Make It Your OwnWe encourage creativity! Consider:A Ride Blue for colorectal cancer awareness themeEducational stops or quick awareness moments before or after the rideGroup photos, social media posts, or community shoutoutsWell provide your group with educational materials and guidance to support awareness efforts.Important DatesSign up your ride at least 2 weeks before your ride(Groups registered in time will be eligible to receive blue bike lights by mail.)Who Can Participate? Open to any biking group across Louisiana All experience levels welcomeLets ride together to raise awareness, start conversations, and help save lives.Ready to roll? Sign up your group todayRegister your ride hereThank you for being part of the movementone ride at a time.Louisiana Cancer Prevention & Control Programs & Bike Easy

I hope you had a great Mardi Gras this year. It truly is a magical time in the area, and especially magical to navigate it all by bike!Mardi Gras By BikeAs a mechanic at a local bike shop, and someone constantly discussing biking with anyone and everyone, its amazing to see how crucial a bike becomes to people during the season. For some working or living inside the box, its a necessity to be able to commute across parades. Others dust off their bikes to be able to avoid traffic and finding a parking spot for their car. And likely, since I have your email, youre always biking but get to enjoy side streets that suddenly turn much more pedestrian and bike friendly along the parade routes. (Or take out your bikes with sturdy tires and enjoy a crunchy ride along the route following a parade)Whatever your reason for riding, we see a surge in ridership around Mardi Gras. I started this survey years ago to try to quantify some of the change in riding around the season and get some feedback so we can see how we might be able to best improve the experience of celebrating Mardi Gras on your bicycle. I hope youll take a minute out of your day to fill out this form and help us collect some more data and please share with any of your friends/family that you know rode their bikes to or around parades.Mardi Gras by Bike SurveyBike StreetsHopefully you saw the week before Fat Tuesday, we officially launched Bike Streets New Orleans. This is an effort that several volunteers have been working on locally since 2025 to start implementing an app from developers out of Denver with a few key opportunities:Providing turn-by-turn direction to people on bikes using low-stress streetsCrowdsourcing a map where locals can suggest and vote on routes to develop a low-stress bike networkCollecting quantifiable data to support our advocacy effortsIdentifying missing connectors to the developing bike network to help us focus our advocacy effortsRight now, were primarily looking to build the ridership on the app, so if you havent signed up yet please do! All you need to do is download the app and sign up then start logging rides by selecting Ride and then clicking on the Ride button on the map when you start to ride.Get riding with Bike Streets New OrleansIf youd like to get more involved in the app and start suggesting or voting on routes, were going to host an info session that will do a deeper dive into the features of the app and how we can best use this opportunity to support biking in Greater New Orleans.Ill be hosting a Zoom meeting on Tuesday March 10th from 5:30-6:30 to dive into the following topics and answer any questions you may have about this effortWhat are we considering low-stress?How to add suggestionsHow to navigate the AppHow to upvote/downvoteOther features of the appA quick intro to Open Streets MapIf youd like to join please register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/il5oEYBBS9avw91t24nuYQAfter registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.Please reach out to me if you have and questions around either of these efforts or anything else bike related I can help you with!Thank you,David MezaCommunity Programs CoordinatorBike Easydavid@bikeeasy.org