Letter to the editor
New Orleans Time-Picayune

Re: "Speeding bikes are a levee hazard," Your Opinions, Nov. 8.

While I in no way condone aggressive, unsafe or even impolite behavior from bicycle riders on the bike path, it is a fact that the levee was paved as a recreation area for both bicycles and pedestrians. It is also one of the only safe places for bike racers to train.

Federal funding, supplemented by local funds, made the trail possible. It is part of the larger Mississippi River Trail known as the MRT. The MRT is a collection of bicycle-friendly trails that span the country from the headwaters of the Mississippi River in Minnesota to the Gulf Coast Delta. The MRT is a fabulous addition to the city.

Many recreational cyclists are intimidated by aggressive drivers and the terrible conditions of our streets and would not ride without the trail. Some lucky people are even able to commute to and from work on the trail.

We are lucky to have MRT and need to work hard to keep it. Earlier this year, plans were announced for a feasibility study to see about extending the trail from downtown Baton Rouge to LSU all the way to downtown New Orleans. We can only hope that this will come to pass.

As to the speeding bike riders, it is most unlikely that they were going 52 miles per hour. Highly modified bikes can get up to 80 miles per hour, but only for short distances, and these are not the riders on the levee.

It is a pleasure for me to share the trail with kids of all sizes, walkers, joggers, other cyclists and horses. In fact, uncontrolled dogs are the only thing that disturb me. As much as I love dogs, when they are off-leash, on a long flexible lead or attached to inattentive owners, they pose a real hazard to everyone, especially bicyclists.

The signs on the levee in Jefferson Parish say "Courtesy is Contagious." All of us who use the path would be well-served to respect the motto.

Jonelle McAllister

New Orleans