Because of the short nature of our trip, and the fact that I was there to attend a conference, we weren’t able to venture much beyond the French Quarter. However, I noticed right away that bicycles figure prominently in the transportation culture of the area. Sure, there were tourists on rented bikes riding around like idiots – wrong side, wrong way, ignoring stop signs, swerving around, etc. – many locals seem to use their bikes for commuting, errands, and just general getting around.
We saw almost every style of bicycle, including a double tall bike (sadly, no picture). The most common was the modern cruiser bike – no gears, coaster brakes, big fenders, wide handlebars, and upright posture. Perfect for the flat terrain and slow speeds in the Quarter.
At one restaurant, a couple at a neighboring table told us about a bike tour they took around the city. That is something I want to do next time we are in town.
Below, in no particular order (and with questionable quality) are some photos of bikes we took during the trip. Click on any photo for a larger version.
