Letters From Our Readers

5% For Bikes

A message from the Metro Bicycle Coalition

Ask Mayor Nagin to Dedicate 5% of Bond Funds to Bikes

We have a unique opportunity during the next week to win funding for bicycle transportation improvements in New Orleans.

On August 5, Mayor Nagin asked that a bond election to fund street repairs be included on the November 2 ballot. In early June, the Metro Bicycle Coalition, the Urban Conservancy and ACORN asked Mayor Nagin and the Council to dedicate 5% of bond funds for street repairs to bicycle transportation improvements. This would mean that about $5 million would be available for pavement repairs on bike routes, striping bike lanes on major streets, and making sure that bicycle improvements are incorporated into every street improvement project.

Dedicating bond funds to bicycle transportation will help ensure that the streets identified as bicycle routes in the most recent Transportation Plan will be repaired, striped, and signed for bikes.

“

Photo by Dave’s Vintage Bicycles

We need your help as the Mayor and the City Council negotiate the details of the bond proposal in the next week or two. Please take a few minutes to contact them in support of the 5% for Bikes campaign.

Visit http://www.metrobicyclecoalition.org for more details, including addresses and phone numbers. Or visit your local bike shop today and sign a 5% for Bikes postcard. If you would like to help more, call Audrey at 504/638-1930.

Thank you!
Metro Bicycle Coalition

To learn more ….

Read more about the bond election at:
http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1091784369316110.xml
Editor’s note: This link no longer functions.

View maps from the Transportation Element of the New Orleans Master Plan:
http://www.new-orleans.la.us/cnoweb/cpc/transportation/maps.htm

Learn more about the Metro Bicycle Coalition:
“http://www.metrobicyclecoalition.org:http://www.metrobicyclecoalition.org/