NEW ORLEANS (Aug. 23, 2023) – Blue Bikes, operated by local non-profit Blue Krewe, has achieved a remarkable milestone of surpassing 500,000 rides since relaunching the Community-Run Bikeshare program in the fall of 2021.
”Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana was proud to sign on as title sponsor of Louisiana’s first bikeshare program, Blue Bikes, because we saw the potential for a healthy, affordable and environmentally friendly transportation option to meet needs in the New Orleans community,” said Michael Tipton, Blue Cross Head of Community Relations and Foundation President. “Since Blue Bikes relaunched as a completely locally run program in 2021, we’ve been impressed by the number of riders – primarily New Orleanians! – who regularly pedal to events and activities, but also to work, school, full-service grocery stores or healthcare appointments.
We look forward to seeing Blue Bikes roll through city streets for years to come.”
Since its inception, Blue Bikes has become an integral part of the fabric of New Orleans, enabling residents and visitors to traverse the city on two wheels. The program's spirit of accessibility, community engagement, and environmental stewardship has resonated deeply, leading to the rapid growth in ridership over the past two years.
"Surpassing half a million Blue Bikes trips is a testament to the power of community collaboration and the importance of a local nonprofit organizational model to ensure that bikeshare is accessible to all residents of New Orleans," said Geoff Coats, the CEO of Blue Krewe. "Blue Bikes’ success is a reflection of our core values: collaboration, accessibility, and sustainability. Today’s milestone would not be possible without the support of our riders, team members, partners, sponsors, volunteers, and community members who believe in the mission of Community-Run Bikeshare.”
Blue Krewe Community Engagement Manager Patrick Urbine shares highlights of the past two years of Community-Run Bikeshare in this interview on WWL-TV’s “Great Day Louisiana” (4:40).
Blue Bikes offers a fleet of over 850 pedal-assist e-bikes that are strategically located throughout the city, providing convenient access to those who seek an affordable, healthy, and efficient way to move around New Orleans. Additionally, the bikeshare program is bolstering the City of New Orleans’ climate action goals.
"Blue Bikes' resounding success, with over 500,000 rides since its relaunch, is not just a triumph for urban mobility but a driving force behind New Orleans' climate action objectives,” said Greg Nichols, Deputy Chief Resilience Officer for the City of New Orleans Mayor’s Office of Resilience and Sustainability. “As we pedal past this milestone, the growing bikeshare network plays a pivotal role in our city's commitment to reducing automobile dependency and embracing sustainable transportation alternatives, aligning seamlessly with our goal to achieve 50% non-automobile transportation choices by 2030."
As Blue Bikes celebrates the Community-Run Bikeshare's successes, Blue Krewe remains committed to expanding the fleet size, enhancing infrastructure, and collaborating with the community to continue to revolutionize the future of electric transportation in New Orleans for generations to come.
To learn more about Blue Bikes and see a map of the system area, visit BlueBikesNOLA.com or follow the bikeshare program on social media @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.
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