Why I’m Attending the Infrastructure Workshop

My name is Merrick Brown, Jr and I’m an avid rider and league cycling instructor. I just biked the new and improved Elysian Fields and, let me tell you, I’m shocked.

All the spacious, clearly marked space for me to bike, far away from the cars and trucks passing by (still with plenty of room of their own, by the way). Like many of you I’d been hearing about new protected bike lanes promised to soon start appearing all around New Orleans. It’s great to see and feel the difference myself.

Honestly, all the changes were a bit overwhelming to experience at once. That’s why I’m excited to attend Bike Easy’s free, virtual Infrastructure Workshop this Thursday at 6pm to learn about this new infrastructure as well as tips on how to navigate it by foot, bike, car, or bus. Click here to RSVP.


In the photo above, you see me crossing alongside a new crosswalk and merging into a new protected bike lane. It’s a lot to take in. With it being so new, I certainly have questions about how to properly navigate all of it. 

Over 50 more miles of new protected bikeways, curb ramps, improved signage, pedestrian islands and more are still to be built in New Orleans this year. More than 12 miles of these street improvements were built last year. Progress is taking shape, but with all of this progress comes an adjustment period.

To make this adjustment period as smooth as possible, RSVP for Bike Easy’s free, virtual Infrastructure Workshop this Thursday 1/28 at 6pm.

If you haven’t explored New Orleans’ newest Complete Streets, I can’t recommend it highly enough. Hopefully, I’ll see you at the workshop and out on the city streets!