The La DOTD is currently developing a statewide bicycle and pedestrian master plan, which they hope to publish some time next year. Given the ever-increasing price of oil, this is a smart and timely initiative. Creating walkable and bikeable communities is a hallmark of smart growth best practices, and it’s encouraging to see the State take a such a proactive role on this issue.
Although this is a statewide “plan,” it has the potential of affecting our state on a very local level. Consider that many (if not most) of Alexandria’s main streets (arterials) are State roads. Any responsible and truly statewide plan should consider the most effective ways of providing for safe routes within every major City in the State.
They explain the necessity of the plan (bold mine):
The La DOTD has jurisdiction over 16,700 miles of roads in the state of Louisiana. Additionally, many parishes, cities and towns throughout the state look to La DOTD for guidance and standards for roadway design. Although bicyclists and pedestrians are allowed on almost all roadways across the state (with the exception of interstates and other control of access facilities), the lack of appropriate accommodations for these groups results in conflicts between motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. The goal of this plan is to develop official policies to guide La DOTD’s investments in bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.
Safety and accessibility concerns for all users of the transportation system has prompted the La DOTD to update their 1998 Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.
They’re holding their first set of community planning meetings in less than two weeks.
New Orleans
July 22nd
6 to 7:30PM
The Casino Building at City ParkShreveport
July 23rd
5-6:30PM
Broadmoor Library
1212 Captain Shreve DriveBaton Rouge
July 24th
6-7:30PM
Bluebonnet Library
9200 Bluebonnet Boulevard
CenLamar 
Awesome! Thanks for posting this! I’ll be sure to attend the New Orleans meeting.
also…I’ve just started a projec to make a bike map of New Orleans. If you’re interested, please check out my blog at http://www.nolacycle.blogspot.com
hey guys, i’m really glad that you picked up on this and posted the meeting details. it is important for citizens to show up to express their support for this kind of meaningful discussion.
have you contacted them about a possible meeting in alexandria?
also i think your current shift of focus to policy away from politics this summer is a good move.
stay up…
this is really good news. New Orleans definately has the potential to be a great bike city with very little effort. There are lots of side streets and wide boulevards with plenty of room for bikes, plus it is almost hill free. It may be harder to attract interest in smaller towns but it works in small cities like Davis, CA.