Luke Harris, an Ascension Episcopal School senior and Youngsville resident, told the Youngsville City Council on June 12 that existing bike lanes in the city are unsafe and urged officials to install physical protections to increase use and reduce crashes.

Harris said the city’s Shimano Metairie bike lanes have not been updated since they were approved in 2014 and described drivers encroaching on the lanes. “I personally have witnessed cars pass each other in the bike lane,” he said, and added that students and families avoid using the lanes because they do not feel safe.

Harris cited research to make the case for physical barriers: a Federal Highway Administration finding he referenced that showed a reduction in cyclist–motor vehicle collisions after barriers were added, and a PeopleForBikes example of a protected lane in Washington, D.C., where users reported feeling safer. He said increased usage follows improved safety and recommended installing a concrete curb rather than removable flex stakes.

He presented preliminary cost estimates prepared by an engineer for several protection types and said a 4-inch mountable concrete curb for about 1.83 miles would cost roughly $120,000. Harris suggested the city pilot protections in the most-populated segment — in front of Ascension — and expand if successful.

Mayor Ritter thanked Harris and said the original striping and signage on parts of the network were funded by a grant; city staff offered to locate the original grant files and review the bike-lane design and signage. Sarah Fossigari, CEO of the Acadiana Planning Commission, and Ashley Moran, the commission’s planning and policy manager, were in the audience; Fossigari told the council the planning commission can assist with bike-and-ped safety and implementation while the corridor is still being developed.

The council did not take formal action on Harris’s recommendations during the meeting. City staff indicated they would review the existing grant files, the striping/signage inventory and the feasibility of pilot protections, and the Acadiana Planning Commission representatives offered technical support.

Harris closed by urging the council to consider younger residents’ input as the city grows and to take advantage of a period of active development to implement protective infrastructure.

Ending: The council did not set a timeline for staff follow-up during the June 12 meeting. Council members and staff indicated they would review existing grant records, examine engineering feasibility and signage, and liaise with the planning commission about potential next steps.