TEAM: SO Studio, CARBO, Makemade CLIENT: Lafayette Consolidated Government LOCATION: Lafayette, Louisiana COMPLETION: 2022 AWARDS: AIA Louisiana 2023 Award of Merit, ASLA Louisiana 2022 Award of Merit
The Bicycle Lafayette master plan is made up of 7 protected bicycle routes. It is comprised of approximately 50 miles, including just over 3 miles of recreational routes along coulees. The Bicycle Lafayette Master Plan was developed using strategies to build a connected, safe, comfortable and equitable bicycle system. Research was conducted in order to create a system design that would shape the City of Lafayette to be more resilient through design and ensure it is more equitable and inclusive of all regardless of socio-economic backgrounds.
To best organize the Bicycle Lafayette network, routes are color coded and connect specific areas based on data analysis. The system is also organized around a loop and spoke design, often seen in other modes of transportation and easy for users to understand.
By stitching together the fragmented community through bicycle infrastructure, the city becomes a space for a more equitable urban environment with upward mobility for often left behind communities. With the overlapping complexities, convergent issues can be confronted or even resolved.
The proposed first phase of the network is the Véloop, an 8.8 mile loop that blurs the lines between a commuter route and recreational route and connects seventeen distinct Lafayette neighborhoods.
In order to ensure that the first phasing of the Bicycle Lafayette network is complete enough to encourage its use by bicyclists, Véloop serves as the main organizing element of the network. This loop connects seventeen neighborhoods and eleven city assets, connecting Lafayette’s urban core.
A bicycle system with equitability, safety, and comfortability creates a system that is used. If the system is not used it becomes a waste of public resources and a missed opportunity for the city and its citizens and visitors.
The plan aims to better meet the goals of Bicycle Lafayette by using data and public input to inform design solutions.
Read the Bicycle Lafayette master plan document by clicking the link below.
