Jul 8, 2025 - Transit

Blue Bikes to expand New Orleans e-bike fleet

Chelsea Brasted

Animated illustration of a bike lane being drawn onto a street, and three bike lane icons cycling across it. — Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios

New Orleans' Blue Bike program will get a much-needed shot-in-the-arm with about 2,500 new e-bikes and an expanded footprint over the next five years, according to a new agreement with the city.

Why it matters: More than 10% of New Orleans households don't have access to cars, according to data from 2020. Meanwhile, the city's fleet of rentable bikes has been on a steep decline.

Catch up quick: City Council approved a five-year agreement June 26 with Blue Krewe, which operates the city's Blue Bike program.

With $11.4 million in federal grants, the Blue Krewe will grow its staff, purchase new bikes and electric vans and build new solar-powered charging stations, according to the agreement.

The big picture: The agreement is part of the city's Climate Action Plan, which calls for a more bike access and an electric vehicle-friendly city. Go deeper.

Zoom in: Blue Krewe plans to buy about 500 bikes per year for five years, the city documents say.

The bikes purchased after year one of the agreement will be designed to charge in the field at the new solar-powered charging stations. The current bikes have to be charged off the streets.
Blue Krewe's service area is also set to expand to about 4.5 square miles with 132 new bike stations, the documents say.

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Blue Bikes to expand New Orleans e-bike fleet

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