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New Orleans’s 10 most bikeable neighborhoods

From the riverbend to the Industrial Canal

By Eric Craig Updated
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By Eric Craig Updated

From its anticipated Blue Bike Share, to a temporary protected bike lane, New Orleans has made several strides in increasing its network of bike lanes over the past couple of years. While the city as a whole scored a 60 on a 100-point scale in bikeability, there are still parts of the cities that offer an optimal cycling experience.

Ranked according to individual neighborhood scores, here are the 10 best neighborhoods to bike in New Orleans. Most of the listed neighborhoods are considered to be a biker’s paradise.

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Black Pearl - 94

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While Black Pearl may not be the most walkable neighborhood, it is the most bikeable. The levee-bordering neighborhood has access to the Mississippi River trail and several low-traffic streets near the riverbend.

Black Pearl, New Orleans, LA 70118

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Bywater - 92

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From biking around Crescent Park to taking Chartres down to the Marigny or French Quarter, biking in the Bywater is simple. It also helps that one of its main thoroughfares, which has a variety of local shops, has a dedicated bicycle lane.

Bywater, New Orleans, LA

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Treme - 91

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This neighborhood’s main avenues, Orleans and Esplanade, both have dedicated bike lanes. While its residents streets have a tendency to get bumpy, running errands on Orleans Avenue couldn’t be easier (when its not rush hour). Treme also holds the bulk of the Lafitte Greenway.

Treme - Lafitte, New Orleans, LA

A post shared by Danielle Barron (@stilldanbar) on

French Quarter

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While the streets in the French Quarter are not large, many enough are wide enough to allow bikes to swing pass clogged lanes. Often, many of the residential streets have a low level of traffic, making it easy to roll by the French Market. While its not the most bikable, it is the most walkable.

French Quarter, New Orleans, LA

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Marigny - 93

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Unless there’s a large crowd dispersing from a neighborhood event on Frenchman Street, riding through the Marigny is incredibly quiet. Several of these low-stress streets can take you straight to the French Quarter.

Marigny, New Orleans, LA

Bayou St. John - 87

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If you’re looking for a scenic route, you can ride along the Bayou on Moss Street, which has a speed limit of 25 mph. Otherwise, this primarily residential neighborhood has access to a selection of locally-owned shops and restaurants on Esplanade Avenue and practically borders City Park.

Bayou St. John, New Orleans, LA 70119

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Seventh Ward - 85

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Serving as a test site for New Orleans’s first protected bike lane, this primarily residential neighborhood has two dedicated bike lanes that lead directly to the French Quarter.

Seventh Ward, New Orleans, LA

East Carrollton - 84

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Another Riverbend neighborhood makes this list, primarily with its low-impact streets, including the historic Oak Street. South Carrollton Avenue (starting after the Claiborne Avenue intersection toward the river) has a dedicated bike lane that connects to another on St Charles Avenue.

East Carrollton, New Orleans, LA 70118

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St Claude - 79

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Similar to the Bywater, this neighborhood is mostly composed of low-stress residential streets, which is a perfect mix for cycling in the city.

St. Claude, New Orleans, LA 70117

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Algiers Point - 79

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This neighborhood access to a lovely Mississippi River Trail, low-stress residential streets, a nearby businesses to complete errands. Most of all, RTA allows cyclist to carry bikes on ferry rides to the French Quarter.

Algiers Point, New Orleans, LA 70114

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Black Pearl - 94

Black Pearl, New Orleans, LA 70118

While Black Pearl may not be the most walkable neighborhood, it is the most bikeable. The levee-bordering neighborhood has access to the Mississippi River trail and several low-traffic streets near the riverbend.

Black Pearl, New Orleans, LA 70118

A post shared by Lauren Thibault (@laurthib) on

Bywater - 92

Bywater, New Orleans, LA

From biking around Crescent Park to taking Chartres down to the Marigny or French Quarter, biking in the Bywater is simple. It also helps that one of its main thoroughfares, which has a variety of local shops, has a dedicated bicycle lane.

Bywater, New Orleans, LA

A post shared by Amber (@1weakcheek) on

Treme - 91

Treme - Lafitte, New Orleans, LA

This neighborhood’s main avenues, Orleans and Esplanade, both have dedicated bike lanes. While its residents streets have a tendency to get bumpy, running errands on Orleans Avenue couldn’t be easier (when its not rush hour). Treme also holds the bulk of the Lafitte Greenway.

Treme - Lafitte, New Orleans, LA

A post shared by Danielle Barron (@stilldanbar) on

French Quarter

French Quarter, New Orleans, LA

While the streets in the French Quarter are not large, many enough are wide enough to allow bikes to swing pass clogged lanes. Often, many of the residential streets have a low level of traffic, making it easy to roll by the French Market. While its not the most bikable, it is the most walkable.

French Quarter, New Orleans, LA

A post shared by Sharon Khalifa (@jamilajewels) on

Marigny - 93

Marigny, New Orleans, LA

Unless there’s a large crowd dispersing from a neighborhood event on Frenchman Street, riding through the Marigny is incredibly quiet. Several of these low-stress streets can take you straight to the French Quarter.

Marigny, New Orleans, LA

Bayou St. John - 87

Bayou St. John, New Orleans, LA 70119

If you’re looking for a scenic route, you can ride along the Bayou on Moss Street, which has a speed limit of 25 mph. Otherwise, this primarily residential neighborhood has access to a selection of locally-owned shops and restaurants on Esplanade Avenue and practically borders City Park.

Bayou St. John, New Orleans, LA 70119

A post shared by Ron Richard (@roncheadle) on

Seventh Ward - 85

Seventh Ward, New Orleans, LA

Serving as a test site for New Orleans’s first protected bike lane, this primarily residential neighborhood has two dedicated bike lanes that lead directly to the French Quarter.

Seventh Ward, New Orleans, LA

East Carrollton - 84

East Carrollton, New Orleans, LA 70118

Another Riverbend neighborhood makes this list, primarily with its low-impact streets, including the historic Oak Street. South Carrollton Avenue (starting after the Claiborne Avenue intersection toward the river) has a dedicated bike lane that connects to another on St Charles Avenue.

East Carrollton, New Orleans, LA 70118

A post shared by Julian R (@jrosales19) on

St Claude - 79

St. Claude, New Orleans, LA 70117

Similar to the Bywater, this neighborhood is mostly composed of low-stress residential streets, which is a perfect mix for cycling in the city.

St. Claude, New Orleans, LA 70117

A post shared by MDM (@mixterdm) on

Algiers Point - 79

Algiers Point, New Orleans, LA 70114

This neighborhood access to a lovely Mississippi River Trail, low-stress residential streets, a nearby businesses to complete errands. Most of all, RTA allows cyclist to carry bikes on ferry rides to the French Quarter.

Algiers Point, New Orleans, LA 70114

A post shared by Mackirks (@mackirks) on