Riding Across the Huey

[Erin]

I had an interesting day today while on my bike.  I have just sent off the below to Brian Parsons, Bicycle Program Coordinator for the State of Louisiana.

Hi Brian,

We've exchanged a few emails over the past few years.  Do you remember me?  I was the advocacy chair for the Crescent City Cyclists for a few years. I'm no longer doing that, just riding my bike a lot!

We had previously discussed whether the newly widened Huey P. Long bridge could legally be ridden. You had previously written to me "If it is prohibited when completed, we would have to research the public records for that statement."

A friend rode across the Huey in one direction about a month ago. Today I was escorting a couple of cycle tourist out of town (New Orleans) going to Houma and it would add an hour or two to take the Algiers ferry. And I was curious about the Huey and it was a Sunday morning, so we decided to ride over it. It was no problem, great even! The expansion joints have a metal plate over them on the shoulder only, and I wonder if that was done for cyclists.

I rode out with my friends to Luling before turning around alone. I begin riding up the Huey from the Westbank and after getting about 10 minutes, and 1/3 of the way I hear someone on a speaker saying I am not supposed to be on the bridge.  I looked back and it's a state trooper so I stop and he pulls up. He says it's against the law to ride on any bridge in the state (I assume he means any bridge across the MS river). I tell him I'm certain he is incorrect. He says if I continue he will arrest me. He sends me back to the Westbank, riding in the wrong direction on the shoulder, which I tell him is probably more dangerous and illegal that continuing across the river.

So now I need your advice. Can you help me confirm that it is legal to ride the Huey?  Can you help me educate the state highway patrol or at least this trooper (R. Zimmerman, badge #2214).

Thank you for any help of advice you can provide.

Erin Laine

[stgraves]

Erin,  this is indeed disturbing.   I do know that the Crescent City Connection is posted at all on ramps that lead directly to bridge with signage that specifically prohibits pedestrians (and bicycles as well, as I remember).   Nothing posted on the Huey,  that I know of.  Please keeps us updated (and congrats on the crossing... hopefully you won't be one of the few). 

From my Android phone on T-Mobile. The first nationwide 4G network.

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[Pat Horchoff]

Sounds to me like they either need Share the Road or no bikes allowed signs up

I'm glad that I wasn't the one stopped - not sure that I would have handled it very diplomatically. I may have been invited to spend the evening in a nice warm cell somewhere.....

pat

[Erin]

Here's an encouraging reply I got from Brian Parsons:

From: Brian Parsons
Sent: Monday, September 09, 2013 6:50 AM
To: 'Erin'
Subject: RE: Riding Across the Huey P. Long Bridge

Hello Erin,

Thanks for making me aware of this unfortunate situation.  We did spend extra funds on the HPL Bridge to make accommodations for bicyclists (ie covering the joints on the shoulders, removing raised pavement markers across the shoulder). We do not have any prohibition to riding your bicycle over the bridge.  It is perfectly legal.  I will contact the LSP State commander and make him aware of this incident and let you know his response.

Brian

Brian Parsons
Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator
Section-82
Highway Safety

[Pat Horchoff]

Maybe they can add some SHARE THE ROAD signs?

[Billy Spansel]

Wow! That is awesome! Thanks Erin.

 

Billy Spansel

From: Erin <erin...@gmail.com>
To: crescent-city-randonneurs <crescent-cit...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Monday, September 9, 2013 11:22 AM
Subject: Re: Riding Across the Huey

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[Erin]

Watch out and don't get on my bad side folks! Like state trooper R. Zimmerman, badge #2214.  I copied yall on my email to Brian Parsons, the state bike guy. Well now I've also sent emails to the League of American Bicyclists, and to Jamie Wine at BikeEasy and Dan Jatres, bike guy at the Regional Planning Commission. While creating those emails I found the email address for the "Troop B" LA State Patrol Commander's office, so I emailed them too.  Gee, I wish I knew someone in the news media... hmmm. Well, maybe it's not a story for the general public. After all, the general public may side with the trooper!

I'll keep yall informed if I hear anything significant!

Erin

[Billy Spansel]

I think this classifies you as "badass". Lol Billy

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From: Erin <erin...@gmail.com>;
To: crescent-city-randonneurs <crescent-cit...@googlegroups.com>;

Subject: Re: Riding Across the Huey

Sent: Tue, Sep 10, 2013 12:52:40 AM

[Stuart LeBlanc]

Way to go Erin!

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[Pat Horchoff]

Great work Erin - keep it up

Maybe you can even get them to put out a couple of Share the Road signs on the Huey P while you are at it!

[Erin]

Pat,

I get the sense that you would like some Share the Road signs on the Huey.  Am I just dreaming... or are you?

Erin

[Pat Horchoff]

While riding A Three Parish Tour on Saturday I did get a nice warm feeling from seeing frequent Share the Road signs along Hwy 22

I would enjoy that same warm feeling on the Huey P

pat