New orleans
 

I am considering a move to New Orleans. I am trying to gather information about the area. I might be working in Metaire. Does anyone commute by bicycle? Are any of bridges over the lakes accessible via bicycle?

Which areas are good for a bicyclist to set down?

bill

Ask JoeyBike. He's been riding there for several years now, AFAIK.

Bring yourself a gun. Seriously. New Orleans is the deadliest city in America.

http://neworleansmurderblog.blogspot.com/

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/...n3665137.shtml

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/06/09/...ime/index.html

I know there's a romantic image of that city-----but it's a hellhole. I grew up in Louisiana, and spent plenty of time in New Orleans. The only place that's relatively safe in that entire city is the French Quarter, and that's only because NOPD maintains a serious presence there to protect the tourism industry. There are people in that city who will kill you for the change in your pocket.

Don't forget to don some body armor and pack scuba gear for the next time a hurricane comes ashore...

Give Wallingford Bikes a call wallbike.com, they are based out of New Orleans.

...and always carry an inflatable raft and lots of CO2 cartridges.

I live in New Orleans and cycle as my primary form of transportation and find some of the comments above rather offensive given my life's work is here. The naysayers on the Internet often have an axe to grind for whatever reason. New Orleans is a lovely place to live and is safe as long as you are not engaged in any aspect of the drug culture. However, think no further about moving here if you lack a sense of humor or are reluctant to roll up you sleeves and are willing to work to make things happen.

No, the bridges across the lake are not commuter worthy, and the distances over those bridges to the center of the city are quite long. There are areas in Metairie from which commuting to downtown is feasible and even possibly enjoyable. I live 3.5 miles from downtown and have multiple routes to reach desired destinations. My suggestion would be that you look Uptown, lower Garden District, Marginy, and the By-Water.

I am starting to feel an anti-South sentiment from the communter forum. How consistent given the fact the F Yanks initiated all but two of the many battles during the war.

I also live in NOLA, and I ride a brief commute via the river levee. Fortunately, I live near this paved, multipurpose path, and my job is within view of the levee in Jefferson. Commuting is definitely a possibility, but be prepared to dodge potholes and lock your bike. I had fun building a "beater" from a 1976 Raleigh Grand Prix that I bought for $25. No hills = single-speed for me.

I have lived here for > 1 year now, and I do find it to be a nice place to live. It has it's quirks, but it has character, which many cities lack.

Single speed for me as well. In fact, Joey built my single speed up for me on a used frame.

Having lived in NOLA for a couple years (Coast Guard), I don't think you'd need gears at all...if I remember right the highest elevation besides the bridges was that one dirt mound in the zoo.... :)

The only thing I'll say about riding in NOLA is don't think you're going to arrive dry and smelling sweet, man is it humid! ;)

I too live in NOLA, near City Park. I ride on an old single speed. It is nearly ideal in many ways for cycling. Mainly its flat but the layout of the road system predates the automobile. Cycling is the best way to get around in the French Quarter and Downtown.

Commuting in Metairie, is not as good as in New Orleans. Metairie, is a post 50's suburb car culture, anywhere-ville. I avoid it, so I will leave my comments at that.

I love living here.

-roger

FWIW I've got some friends that visit there any chance they get to and love it. Non-sarcastically--aside from the hurricanes what's the weather like in the winter?

Louisiana is dangerously bike unfriendly. Sure there are parts of uptown/garden district/downtown that might slightly buck the norm but seriously if you like to bike do not move to Louisiana. I am coming from the perspective of living & Biking in Portland & Eugene Oregon, then I spent a few years in Louisiana and now I am in Sacramento, CA. In comparison Louisiana was hell. sorry I am jaded Louisiana wasn't for me.

I lived in NOLA for 6 years (4 years of Tulane plus two). I didn't bike at the time, but did quite a bit of walking.

I think bike commuting in NOLA would be opposite of what you would do in other cities. In other cities, you look for roads that are less crowded, take side streets, etc. In New Orleans, I think I would do the opposite to a certain extent, especially from Uptown to the CBD. The side streets tend to be a little more dangerous both in terms of crime and potholes. I would NEVER roll a red light in New Orleans and would always look both ways after the light turns green.

For those familiar with the area, a good example is that I would rather take St. Charles downtown than Magazine or Freret.

New Orleans is no less safe than any other major city as long as you keep your head and make wise decisions. The problem is that you tend to more often be too inebriated to do either!