Bourbon Street frequenters open to French Quarter being pedestrian-only

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The discussion of making Bourbon Street pedestrian-only has been ongoing since the terror attack. It’s something several people who frequent the street tell WGNO they support.

“As we saw on New Year’s Eve, right now, the motor vehicle, as we witnessed, is a weapon and it could be used as such again,” said the owner of Flambeaux Bicycle Tours and organizer of Critical Mass Eric Gabourel.

The New Year’s terror attack remains in the back of the minds of many who want to see Bourbon Street become pedestrian only. One person who performs as a street poet says cars tend to be dangerous, even during the day.

“The Royal Street pedestrian mall has been my workspace for as long as I’ve been in New Orleans. They don’t necessarily get in my way, but I think a lot of people get in the way of the cars. I’ve seen a lot of people nearly get hit on the daily,” said street poet
Escondido Slim.

Despite temporary metal barricades, some believe the city should limit the pedestrians-only area to not only Bourbon Street but also the entire French Quarter.

“Right now, in the French Quarter, the vehicle is given dominance. Our sidewalks are narrowed to make way for parking our streets are becoming like thoroughfares. It creates a dangerous environment for everybody,” said Gabourel.

Gabourel has even started a petition explaining that placing retractable bollards at strategic locations can eliminate the number of vehicles coming in and out.

“That only gives access to residents, delivery trucks, emergency vehicles and contractors. Keeping people that shouldn’t be driving under the French Quarter out because it makes, it creates an atmosphere that’s dangerous for pedestrians,” said Gabourel.

However, others say they could see this becoming a tricky situation, believing it should only be pedestrian-only during special events in the city.

“Especially since it’s not exactly an uncommon thing to do for some cities when they have real like walkable little streets that are more popping than others, they would just go ahead and cut it off and let pedestrians safely walk around and handle their business and go park out elsewhere,” said tourist Vanessa Faugue.

Many have told WGNO that while they are curious about how this situation ends, they hope Bourbon Street can be safe for them as well as visitors.

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