New Orleans Cyclists Build Community Through Social Riding Groups

Bicycle riders across New Orleans are increasingly using two wheels to build social connections despite narrow lanes and pothole-filled streets, The Lens reported.

While many observers view cyclists through narrow stereotypes—ranging from the “hipster gentrifier” to the “tourist on a Blue Bike”—the actual riding culture in the city has shifted toward organized social groups. This evolution moves the focus from individual transit to collective experiences centered on leisure, exercise, and competition.

“I often say, the bicycle is the vehicle, but community is the destination,” Zina Harris Dorsey told The Lens.

Dorsey, who founded the Sistahs on Wheels group as a social-exercise outlet during the pandemic, leads monthly rides from the Tricentennial Parking Lot in City Park. Her group, which includes Brothahs on Wheels, emphasizes that the impact of riding is found in the people and the connections made along the way.

The rise of social riding groups

Distinct groups with unique identities now define New Orleans cycling. For many, the bicycle is a necessity rather than a hobby; because one in five New Orleans households lacks access to a car, cycling often serves as a more reliable and affordable alternative to the bus system or ride-sharing services.

Get Up N Ride: One of the largest weekly gatherings, this group has met every Tuesday since 2015, departing from Bayou Road near Broad St.
Critical Mass NOLA: Following a national model of roadway advocacy, this group leaves from the French Market on the last Friday of every month.
1Up Bike Life: Formed in 2020 by Tommy Richard, this group attracts a loyal following of pre-teen, teen, and young adult cyclists.

For the younger riders in the 1Up crew, the activity is about more than stunts like wheelies and spins. Richard described the group as a way for kids from various areas—including the 9th Ward, 7th Ward, Kenner, and the Northshore—to find purpose and build bonds with their peers.

Other groups cater to specific niches, such as The Heat Index, which hosts women, trans, and non-binary riders on Wednesdays, or the Crescent City Riders, which seeks to promote a positive, law-abiding image of cyclists through social rides that start at local bars.

Safety and the push for better infrastructure

The growing number of riders has intensified the conversation around urban safety and policy. Data regarding traffic fatalities has driven local government initiatives to improve the city’s bikeway network.

New Orleans Cyclists Build Community Through Social Riding Groups

According to data covering a five-year span from 2019 to 2023, New Orleans averaged 60 traffic deaths and 373 severe injuries annually. A large number of these severe crashes occurred on just 130 miles of the city's roadways, representing only 7% of the total network.

In response, the city has implemented the Safe Streets for All Safety Action Plan, a local version of a federal initiative designed to reduce bicycle-related injuries and fatalities. This follows previous efforts like the Moving New Orleans Bikes initiative. As e-bikes become more common, the city is also weighing legislation to regulate them alongside e-motos, while managing an e-bike rebate program funded by an EPA grant.

“It’s about a crew of kids who found purpose through pedals, just getting after it every day and trying to better themselves and their bike, and building a bond and a relationship with their brothers,” Tommy Richard told The Lens.

While advocates push for more protected lanes, some motorists continue to view cyclists as an obstruction to roadway dominance. This tension remains a central part of the riding experience in a city where infrastructure often lags behind the rising demand for mobility.

The annual Bicycle Second Line

The culmination of these various cycling subcultures occurs annually at the Bike Easy Bicycle Second Line. This event serves as a massive convergence for the city’s diverse riding community.

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The upcoming event is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 14. Registration begins at 10 a.m. at The Broadside, located at 600 N. Broad St., with the ride set to depart at 11 a.m. and run until 1 p.m.

The procession will feature the Treme Brass Band playing from a trailer as the group moves through Mid-City, Bayou St. John, the 7th Ward, Faubourg Marigny, the French Quarter, and the CBD. The event concludes with an after-party at The Broadside featuring music from Sweet Crude and a silent auction.

The scale of the event has grown steadily in recent years. Last year’s ride drew a record 528 riders, an increase from the 345 participants recorded in 2024.