NEW ORLEANS ( Feb. 22, 2022) – Carnival time is here, and Blue Bikes is ready to roll. The improvements in New Orleans bicycle infrastructure over the past year, including the expansion of new bicycle lanes and the relaunch of Blue Bikes in August 2021, has made biking this Mardi Gras more accessible than ever.
“With the return of Blue Bikes, New Orleanians have a socially distanced, environmentally friendly way to get around during Carnival season, without the hassles of finding parking along the route,” said Dr. Jeremy Wigginton, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Medical Director. “As you pedal to the parades, keep safety in mind – wear a helmet, be mindful of your surroundings and traffic flow, and do not ride a bike if you’ve been drinking alcohol. When you’re done riding, lock your bike properly so it’s not in the way of people walking or pushing strollers and wheelchairs – that could be a tripping hazard. Stick to these tips to ride safely for a happy, healthy Mardi Gras.”
Additional safe cycling tips can be found in the 2020 New Orleans Bike Map and Guide to Safe Cycling issued by the City of New Orleans, Bike Easy, the New Orleans Regional Planning Commission and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.
“With the recent relaunch of Blue Bikes’ new fleet of 504 pedal-assist e-bikes, New Orleanians and guests to our city can use bikeshare to easily get around town this Carnival season,” said Geoff Coats, CEO of Blue Krewe, the local nonprofit that operates Blue Bikes. “Blue Bikes are a fun, safe and affordable way to get to work, family gatherings and parades without the fuss of searching for parking. As Carnival picks up speed in the coming days, we encourage folks to let the good times roll by hopping on a Blue Bike, wearing a secure helmet and following traffic laws.”
How to Ride
To ride Blue Bikes, download the Blue Bikes Nola app, which is available in the App Store and Google Play. People can choose from different ridership plans and payment options to use Blue Bikes:
● The Pay As You Go option costs 15 cents per minute and includes a $1 unlocking fee. There is no ongoing commitment required for this option. You will be charged only for the time you use (per minute).
● The Monthly Membership option costs $25 and lets you unlock a Blue Bike without a fee any time you ride. Monthly memberships include up to an hour of free ride time per day, which you can use in multiple trips.
● Through the Blue Bikes For All program, New Orleans residents who qualify for Medicaid or Louisiana Purchase (S/NAP) can get a reduced ridership plan of $4 per month.
For more information on Blue Bikes pricing and rider options, visit BlueBikesNOLA.com or follow Blue Bikes on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @BlueBikesNOLA.
About Blue Krewe
Founded in New Orleans in 2020, Blue Krewe is a local, community-based non-profit that manages and operates the Blue Bikes program. Recognizing the importance of Blue Bikes as a healthy, equitable, and environmentally-friendly transportation option, local bikeshare enthusiasts - such former Blue Bikes staff, biking and pedestrian advocates, philanthropists and community healthcare advocates - came together to form Blue Krewe. Here at Blue Krewe, we are committed to our mission to provide the Greater New Orleans region with equitable shared micro-mobility solutions that are rooted in and supportive of our community.
The Greater New Orleans Foundation provided critical start-up funding and fiscal sponsorship for Blue Krewe. Blue Krewe's partners include Bike Easy, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and the City of New Orleans. To donate, volunteer or learn more visit www.BlueKrewe.org.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is committed to our mission to improve the health and lives of Louisianians. Founded in New Orleans in 1934, we are a tax-paying nonprofit health insurer with offices in every major region to serve our customers. We were recognized in 2019 and 2020 as an honoree of The Civic 50, named by Points of Light as one of the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. We are a private mutual company, owned by our policyholders, with an independent Louisiana Board of Directors and no shareholders. We invite all Louisianians to visit our website at www.bcbsla.com or talk to us on social media.
About the Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF)
With roots extending over 90 years, the Greater New Orleans Foundation has been connecting generous people to the causes that spark their passion. As one of the most trusted philanthropic organizations in the region, we work every day to drive positive impact through philanthropy, leadership, and action in our thirteen-parish region. In addition to grantmaking, we convene people, resources, and ideas to create intelligent strategies and solutions to meet our region’s greatest challenges. We are proud to serve as a vocal civic leader with our partners to ensure a vibrant, sustainable, and just region for all. Learn more at www.gnof.org.
We're sorry, something went wrong! Please refresh your browser and try again.