Transport for NOLA - new transit advocacy group getting started in New Orleans

Straight from my e-mail inbox to your computer screen - It's finally happening! People have come together to make a multi-modal transportation advocacy group for New Orleans! We're talking bikes, buses, light rail, streetcars, pedestrians, unicycles, hovercrafts, mules & horses (alright, maybe not too many horses because biking through poo is no fun).

But seriously, folks, Transportation Alternative in NYC has made a huge impact on improving mass transit and bicycle and pedestrian amenities and advocating for the people of the city who decide not to drive. Transport NOLA is bringing that multi-modal, "we're all in this together," model of advocacy to New Orleans. Transport NOLA is starting their campaign by focusing on rail improvements, especially pushing for a light rail system that will serve the entire city and just not a handful of neighborhoods like our current streetcar system. Check out the "Where" section and you'll see where bike and pedestrian facilities come into play too. (I'm not too crazy about this "bike lane in the middle of streetcar tracks" idea in the Tulane Station model, but maybe with modern streetcars, you and do it up so wheels don't get caught. I'll look into this and make sure a bunch of poorly designed bike lanes don't end up all over the city.)

I knew this was brewin', but I was really surprised to see how quickly this has come together. The website looks great and they already have some concept designs online!

The kick-off event is THIS FRIDAY at the Rusty Nail (1100 Constance St in the Warehouse District a few blocks south of Lee Circle) from 6-9 pm.

I, of course, will not be there due to this "you have to be in Cincinnati to take classes"/"you're too close to graduation to transfer" situation, but you should really go and get involved. This will be an excellent opportunity to create a forum in which all of us (advocates and users are various non-personal motor vehicle transportation modes) can come together, and work together, to improve the city and region.