You might not have heard of Metairie, LA if you were not from the area. However, most people have heard of Jefferson Parish and the New Orleans metropolitan area where Metairie sits. New Orleans was recognized in 2023 for having the highest bicyclist fatality rate per capita of any major city in the United States.

This post will explore how safe bicycling is. We’ll also discuss bicycle accidents in Metairie and what steps Jefferson Parish takes to make the area less dangerous for all roadway users.

Metairie Bicycling Infrastructure

Any Louisiana community can demonstrate its commitment to safe bicycling through its infrastructure. This includes construction and public works projects intended to help keep bicyclists safe. Jefferson Parish has numerous such projects planned and currently underway, including the following:

Bike Lanes

A bike lane is a designated lane along the side of a roadway that is only to be used by bicyclists. Some of these lanes may even have a physical barrier separating them from vehicular traffic. Whenever these lanes are present on a roadway, bicyclists must use them and may not ride in the portion of the road designated for motor vehicles.

Shared-Use Paths

Shared-use paths are paved pathways and trails designed to accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists. As with bike lanes, motor vehicles are not permitted to use shared-use paths. Unlike dedicated bicycle lanes, shared-use paths are typically adjacent to and physically separate from roads and streets used by motor vehicles.

Improved Crosswalks

Crosswalks and intersections can be dangerous for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. These locations can be upgraded by improving lighting and road markings. Redesigning intersections with tighter turns forces cars and trucks to slow down. This can improve drivers’ ability to see bicyclists crossing the street and stop before there is a crash.

Finally, some communities make large intersections and crosswalks safer by adding islands in the middle of them.

Bicycle Accident Statistics For Metairie

Throughout Louisiana in 2022, 44 bicyclists lost their lives in traffic-related accidents. Another 558 cyclists were injured due to wrecks and collisions. Alcohol consumption by the driver or bicyclist played a role in nearly one-third of all traffic fatalities. In 2023, the number of bicyclists killed in wrecks dropped to 34.

Specific bicycle accident statistics for Metairie are not available. However, Jefferson Parish, as a whole, saw only two bicyclist fatalities in 2023. This means approximately six percent of all bicyclists who died across the state in 2023 did so in Jefferson Parish. 

Causes and Contributing Factors For Bicycle Wrecks

Aside from alcohol consumption, the following are additional reasons why bicycle crashes can happen:

Inattentiveness

Bicyclists can be more difficult to see than cars and trucks. Some motorists may quickly glance in a direction and not look carefully to check for people on bicycles. This situation can lead a motorist to accidentally strike a bicyclist.

Right-of-Way Violations

A person on a bicycle has the same rights and responsibilities as the driver of a motor vehicle. This includes having the right of way over vehicular traffic in certain situations. Drivers who ignore this rule can cause a crash when they continue driving but do not have the right of way.

Distracted Driving

Drivers who use their cell phones, eat, or don’t give their full attention to the road are impaired and dangerous to bicyclists. Even if such drivers do see a bicyclist in their path, they may not be able to control their vehicle to avoid a crash.

Key Bicycle Laws in Metairie, LA

Motorists and cyclists have a responsibility to know and follow Louisiana’s bicycle safety laws. These laws are meant to prevent accidents that can lead to cyclists being hurt or killed.

Helmets Required For Young Children

Any bicycle rider or passenger who is under 12 years of age must wear a safety helmet. Adults and children over 12 are not required to wear a helmet, but all bicyclists and bicycle passengers should consider doing so. Helmet use can greatly reduce the chance of a serious or fatal head injury in the event of a crash.

No Riding on Sidewalks

Louisiana leaves it up to each local parish to decide whether to permit bicyclists to ride on sidewalks. In Jefferson Parish, riders may not ride their bikes on sidewalks except in business districts. While doing so, bicyclists must yield the right of way to pedestrians and give audible warnings to them before overtaking them.

“Dooring” Is Illegal in Metairie

“Dooring” refers to the driver or passenger of a motor vehicle opening their vehicle’s door in the path of an oncoming bicyclist. This can easily happen if a motorist parks their car or truck but does not look before getting out. The law says that motor vehicle occupants must exercise care when opening their vehicle doors and then close them as soon as possible thereafter.

Three-Foot “Safe Passage” Law

To reduce the likelihood of a collision when a car or truck is overtaking a bicyclist, drivers must give at least three feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist. If the driver cannot stay a minimum of three feet away from the cyclist while passing them, they should wait until there is an appropriate opportunity to pass the cyclist safely.

Bicyclists Must Follow All Applicable Traffic Laws

Finally, bicyclists are held to many of the same standards as other motorists and must follow the same rules of the road. This includes yielding the right of way when appropriate and obeying all traffic signs and signals. Bicyclists may travel two abreast on the roadway but must stay as far right as possible so as not to interfere with motor vehicle traffic.

Bicycling Safely in Metairie, Louisiana

Although two fatalities throughout the entirety of Jefferson Parish in a single year may not sound like many, it is important to remember that not every wreck ends with a fatality. Other bicyclists suffer injuries, some of which can be severe.

Remaining safe while cycling in Metairie is not completely left to chance. By wearing a helmet, obeying traffic laws, and riding where you are supposed to, you can decrease the likelihood of injuries.