Advertisement Pro-bike group addresses string of paintball attacks on bicyclists in city Share Shares Copy Link Copy

More than 10 paintball attacks in the course of two weeks has a pro-bicycling group in New Orleans speaking up about the incidents and overall crime and violence in the city.Bike Easy, a volunteer organization aimed at promoting bicycling in New Orleans, posted a statement this week by its executive director about the paintball attacks."Recently, a series of attacks has once again targeted people who ride bikes, as well as people on foot. Along with our increased vulnerability in relation to people driving vehicles, riding bicycles does not make us immune to the instability caused by the violent acts that regularly rock our city," said Dan Favre, Bike Easy executive director.While details about the paintball attacks were not given, Favre said his organization is working with the city and the New Orleans Police Department to address the incidents. The NOPD has not released any recent information about paintball-related investigations.Link: Read full statement from Bike Easy hereFavre said the paintball attacks are another crime that not just bicyclists, but residents have to deal with in New Orleans. He said some bicyclists were attacked when the city completed the Esplanade Avenue bike lane. He said two of his friends were also attacked while riding bikes in the Marigny."These are disgusting, cowardly acts that must be stopped. Our hearts go out to all the victims, and we hope they all recover quickly –- both from the physical wounds and the trauma," Favre said.Favre also addressed the issue of violence in New Orleans in relation to the paintball attacks. He said that while there has been some improvement, his organization acknowledges that there are other issues that often leave a stain on the city, including a lack of affordable housing, transportation challenges and increasing poverty."This is bigger than bicycling, but we believe bicycling can play a positive role in addressing the social issues and inequities facing our city," he said.Favre said the goal of Bike Easy is to address issues in the community by improving bicycling conditions. He said bicycling can create economic development by proving transportation to jobs, improve health by encouraging physical activity and help build positive communities.He said the goal is to improve conditions for all bicyclists by coming together to address the other issues faced by the city. "Bike Easy is committed to improving bicycling and improving outcomes for all people in Greater New Orleans through better bicycling. It will be hard, but it’s worth it … for all the people who ride bikes, for all the people in general, and for the future of our city and region. We hope that you’ll join us," he said. More information about Bike Easy, including some of its upcoming events, can be found online or on its Facebook page.Keep up with local news, weather and current events with the WDSU app here.Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news right in your inbox. Click here to sign up!