I get into such details this in my book, but suffice to say, you always have to pick your times and venues. A quiet side road one season might suddenly become a dog infested bike trap the next. Every year I hold a group ride early Thanksgiving morning throughout Warwick, right by PVD Airport on deadly Post Road, because there is absolutely no traffic, so everywhere there’s pavement is totally available for exploration… and you develop a good appetite for later feasting! I prefer to ride alone, few hassles, but am willing to lead a posse just to prove this point.

I’m sorry to hear about your unfortunate events on the bike paths. My experience is completely the opposite. I’ve been riding the EBBP on an almost daily basis during the late hours on the off season. Once we get towards the later part of the year and I’m riding home in the dark, I tend to ride the bike path. I find it pretty deserted most evenings and, knock on wood, have yet to experience any sort of incident. Hopefully I’m not jinxing myself here!

My biggest complaint… I wish other nighttime users would use a light or at least wear something reflective. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve barely seen someone in time. I’ve gone to running LOTS of light, which naturally garners complaints from some people, but I refuse to put myself and others at risk of a collision.

I’m probably RI’s biggest supporter of bikeways. I’m not saying they shouldn’t build more, and rethink the roads that lead to them, AND do what they’re supposed to by law alongside all roads 23′ wide, that is, accommodate bicycling. But they should patrol and sweep bike paths better .When are they going to put lights where needed? You’re taking your life in your hands these days. If many people used these facilities all year, crime would be deterred. But I’m not using them anymore.

RIDOT won’t prioritize cycling. I rode with their intermodal chief, pointed out defects, he even took pictures and promised action. That was in June. Since then? Nothing. I don’t know how often I have to repeat myself. You can’t get them to be lawful without dragging them before a judge. Complete irresponsibility rests with the TAC and state officials, not me. They’ll find any excuse not to do what’s required of them.

Remember, bike funding is supposed to be SEPARATE from automotive.

I’m no advocate. I’m an activist.

Perhaps I should both denounce and reject my advocacy stance in favor of activism then? Sorry, I couldn’t resist… in my mind they are the same. I guess I’d be an activist by your definition then; I’ve written letters, not thousands though.

Personally, I’m currently saving my energy for when sharrows become official. I think they are the most practical marker for our area.

The “advocates” do nothing but capitulate. Bicyclists have rights. They are not second class citizens. I’m working on a class action suit to compel court ordered improvements. If you don’t put official feet in the fire, you’re never going to get anywhere in this state.

I’ve been in direct communication with the FHWA, who say outright, “Get a consensus of opinion, or we’re not going to do anything.” Interpret this correctly. It means, “Do the impossible, or we’ll just laugh you off.” Well, they are not laughing anymore. State officials have gotten considerable heat for ignoring public safety regarding bicycling, especially with the high price of fuel. So now you’re starting to see signs. Too little, too late.

All you have to do to make RI completely bikeable is look at the “Guide for Cycling in the Ocean State” map. Wherever there are gaps in the blue and red roadnet, you need an accommodation. I can list them, but they’re too many. Yet they short segments, a mile here, a few blocks there. It works out to about 35 miles, mostly just lane striping.

Today on foot, I watched with horror as motorists on Butler Ave took the breakdown lane at the traffic light, only to realize that the traffic sign mandated it to go “straight”, so people in the REAL lane are forced to turn “left only”. They’ve made 3 lanes on a street so narrow it should be one lane, one way. This is plainly irresponsible.

People who understate the horrors of RI’s bicycling infrastructure are TO BLAME for it.

Not everyone approaches advocacy in the same way you do Alan. It doesn’t mean any one method is better than the others, we have yet to determine which method will eventually break through. Let’s agree to disagree and keep the focus on how we can better the conditions for cyclists, rather than tossing barbs at each other.

Actual bikeways? Who needs them. It’s pretty obvious they’ve become foci for crime anyway.

I beg to differ, bike paths serve a very important role. It’s a perfect place for weekend or nightly rolls, families out for weekend rides, or people who just want to ride. Heck, they are even a great way to commute on those days when you aren’t in a big hurry or during the nastier weather. I’d much prefer to be by myself, cruising down a bike path on a snowy day than taking my chances with the cars on the road.

I use Eddy Street in favor of Allens Ave.

People who understate the horrors of RI’s bicycling infrastructure are TO BLAME for it. I’ve said it many, many times… You can make this entire state a bicycling mecca with 35 miles of adaptations to the existing roadnet. Many of those changes ONLY require proper striping of streets, or one way designations, or No Parking signs. This should be the priority. Actual bikeways? Who needs them. It’s pretty obvious they’ve become foci for crime anyway.