Copenhagen - A Model For New Orleans

Where Walking, Biking & Mass Transit Beat Cars Every Day

by Larry Lagarde

Thirty years ago, the people of Copenhagen embarked on a journey to ween themselves off expensive, foreign oil and cut traffic congestion. The urban landscape was retooled to encourage walking, biking and greater use of mass transit. As the following video shows, the experiment worked.



Today, just 1/3 of commuters in the city of Copenhagen use private motor vehicles. Copenhagen now has less traffic than any other major urban area in Europe; it also doesn't reek of diesel fumes or noise pollution and Copenhageners are in better health...

If ever there is a city in the USA that could emulate Copenhagen's complete streets approach and see similar traffic reduction, energy savings and health benefits, it is New Orleans.

Never in 100 years has a major, North American city experienced such complete devastation as that wrought by Hurricane Katrina. The saltwater that inundated the Big Easy for several weeks did more than soak buildings, destroying basic, public utilities like sewer and gas lines. To make repairs, streets across the New Orleans must be torn up and repaved.

The massive amount of rebuilding that is needed has led to a lot of soul searching. Some New Orleanians are gone for good but those that have stayed are determined to recreating a better New Orleans. Like never before, neighborhoods are abuzz with fresh and exciting civic ideas. Talk is leading to action but not without controversy.

Recently, a bike lane was worked into the repaving of St. Claude Avenue (a major artery into the city). Though the cost to stripe in the bike lane was minimal, some residents balked at the idea of adding a bike lane when the street in front of their home was virtually impassable with pot holes. Never mind that they lived on a minor side street with minimal traffic or that the St. Claude bike lane would provide many residents with a safer route to bike to work or school.

Obviously, some people will always drive their cars; however, it is possible for most residents of a major metropolis to choose to bicycle, walk or use mass transit. Just look at Copenhagen.