More protection and security, that’s the message bicyclists are asking for again after a woman was killed over the weekend while riding her bike.
It comes as city leaders just passed legislation on an action plan, pushing for safety measures.
The NOPD said a 62-year-old woman was killed while riding her bike in Treme.
“So, a death on the greenway is a predictable result of the infrastructure we currently have that is planned for automobiles and no one else,” said Eric Gabourel.
It’s a constant push, calling to make streets safer for everyone on wheels, after the NOPD confirmed another cyclist was killed in an accident.
“We want to make sure that bicyclists are able to commute to work and back home in one piece and get there alive,” Gabourel said.
Gabourel has commuted on his bike in New Orleans for 15 years; during that time, he’s been struck twice.
“I’ve had close calls myself here on the greenway, so when someone actually gets hit, a bicyclist killed, it hits home really hard,” Gabourel said.
Police say on Sunday, just before noon, a woman was riding her bike near Toulouse and North Claiborne.
Investigators say a car in the right lane stopped to allow the woman to cross, but the car in the left lane did not see the woman and hit her.
“One death is one death too many, like, nobody should be getting killed on our streets, period,” said Allene Laspina.
Laspina with Bike Easy said that as gas prices surge, many people are turning to their bicycles. Thousands across the New Orleans metro ride each day, but she said they need more security. The city council is working on it.
On Thursday, leaders passed a safety action plan. The goal is to improve lighting, add more crosswalks, and reduce traffic deaths in busy corridors.
“If you have this infrastructure for people biking, that means less conflict with vehicles, so everyone will be able to get from point A to B more safely,” Laspina said.
Dozens of cyclists plan to gather at the intersection of the crash on Friday, around 7 p.m., to peacefully demonstrate their push for more safety measures.
READ MORE:City leaders share plans to improve bicyclist safety, after a woman was killed in an accident
