RI Bike - Rhode Island Bicycle Coalition

Better biking across all of Rhode Island

Southeast and Islands - Bristol and Newport County

Bike Newport–PROGRESS ON THE FIRST MILE – SITE INVESTIGATIONS

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PROGRESS ON THE FIRST MILE – SITE INVESTIGATIONS April 16, 2020 Here’s what the attached notice (see below) from Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and Rhode Island Department of Transportation means: The Shared Use Path (aka First Mile Bikeway) is part of the Pell Bridge Ramp Realignment project. The required environmental assessment of the…  read more

Regarding COVID-19

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As you know there are many health concerns right now regarding COVID-19. Bike Newport is working hard to stay on top of the developments as the situation evolves. Here’s some insight into our planning and how they affect how we conduct programs and business at Bike Newport. What Bike Newport is doing: Bike Newport will… ; ;read ;more The post Regarding COVID-19 appeared first on Bike Newport.

ALERT: RIDOT Proposal Slashes Bike Funding

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Rhode Island Department of Transportation Proposal Slashes Bicycle and Pedestrian Project Funding Statewide  (Jan 26, 2019) The “Major Amendment to the State Transportation Improvement Plan” presented by RIDOT to the State Transportation Advisory Committee on January 24th includes 33% cut to the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) over four years. TAP is the primary source of funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects statewide. According to a press release from the RI Bicycle Coalition: “While RIDOT asserts that shortfalls from the General Assembly’s Capital Budget, delays in constructing toll infrastructure, and deteriorating bridges are the cause of the amendment, very little of the proposed change will fund bridge work. Instead, one new $28.8 million highway project in western Cranston is one of the biggest proposed changes, along with large allocations to build toll gantries ($61.6 million) and ‘Headquarters Operations’ which includes more than doubling the ‘Legal’ line item to $24.9 million.” The $27 million in proposed cuts includes eliminating the $5 million Bicycle Improvements Contingency Account funded by the 2016 Green Economy Bond. Bike Newport’s Executive Director, Bari Freeman, sits on the state’s Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) and Bicycle Mobility Plan Committee, and is a member of the statewide coalition Paths to Progress that advises the state on bicycle and pedestrian project planning and funding. “The TAC created the contingency fund in response to these statewide coalitions and in order to ensure assignment of those funds to align with the statewide Bicycle Mobility Plan priorities. Those funds are untouchable. Our state electorate resoundingly voted those funds for bicycle and pedestrian projects by 79%,” Freeman stated. “That’s not approval – that’s a mandate, and they will not be redirected to highway or any project other than those for which they were intended.” The proposed amendment eliminates, cuts or delays funding to 35 bicycle and pedestrian projects statewide, including separated bike paths, sidewalks, and critical on-road connections. On Aquidneck Island, the Melville Connector and the Mount Hope Bay Path in Portsmouth will be eliminated; the shared use path and sidewalks on East Main Road in Portsmouth and Middletown will be eliminated; and scheduled improvements to Thames Street, Spring Street, Farewell Street, Bellevue Avenue, and Marlborough Street in Newport will be delayed to 2023 and beyond. Portsmouth Town Councilor Daniela Abbott is one of many bicycle and pedestrian advocates opposed to the cuts, “East Main Road is finally getting the sidewalks and bike paths so desperately overdue for transportation safety. These cuts are not considering people’s safety, connectivity, or economy. RIDOT needs to, and will be, better informed by the people of this state who intend to walk and ride to get where we’re going.” Bike Newport and Aquidneck Island Planning Commission are planning community information and discussion meetings to take place in addition to the upcoming public meetings scheduled by RIDOT. These meeting dates will be announced next week. For more information and updates, please follow Bike Newport online at www.bikenewportri.org and @bikenewportri on social media. The post ALERT: RIDOT Proposal Slashes Bike Funding appeared first on Bike Newport.

Letter to the Public: Major Amendment to the TIP

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Dear Friends, Thanks to all who are following the situation with the DOT recommendation for a “Major Amendment to the TIP” aka Major Amendment #11. This amendment proposes major reduction to Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) funding to make up for shortfalls in pavement and bridge funding. TAP funding is the primary source for bicycle, pedestrian, and transit projects. The first presentation of this proposal took place at the monthly meeting of the Rhode Island Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) on Thursday, January 24, 2019 at 5:30pm – Department of Administration, One Capitol Hill, Conference Room A. The meeting was open to the public. We’re all in this together! Everyone’s participation at meetings, discussions, and online in social media is always valuable. Let’s keep awareness high and information flowing. More public meetings coming soon. I am a member of the TAC but was unfortunately out of town for this important meeting. I asked my colleagues on the TAC to consider these requests at the meeting: 1) Please consider and honor the concerns of those community members in attendance. The proposed reduction to TAP funding included in RIDOT’s recommendations is staggering and has long-term and ominous implications to TAP projects already funded, and to the statewide progress on all things active transportation. Specifically, please consider the urgent request to extend the period of community comment from 30 days to 90 days to ensure that everyone affected has time to receive, process, and respond to the Amendment content and for DOT to gather and process that response for our informed consideration. 2) Although the State Bicycle Mobility Plan is not yet adopted, it contains information and recommendations culled and developed over many months by a statewide coalition of expert stakeholders which are significant to improved planning. These recommendations should be considered valuable and relevant by state and municipalities alike even in advance of formal adoption of the plan. 3) Additionally: Considering bicycle, pedestrian, and transit projects as “alternative” – as in “Transportation Alternative Program” – and separating them in planning and funding is an outdated practice that inherently maintains a car-centric culture which is cost-inefficient in planning, design and building our transportation network. While we are beholden to the language of federal funding, there may be ways for us to use this time to demonstrate what is possible when we look at bicycle, pedestrian and transit planning/accommodation as part of pavement and bridge planning. Is this a time when we as a state can demonstrate the budgetary efficiencies of complete streets planning – ie considering all road users in every road plan. We need assurance of due diligence to serve the public interest and solicit their input. Public meetings should include presentations of the proposed changes and the public’s board – the TAC – needs to weigh these interests before making recommendations to the State Planning Council. With thanks to all for your commitment to better roads and transportation planning for all road users. Feel free to contact me if you have any thoughts or questions. Sincerely, Bari Freeman Executive Director The post Letter to the Public: Major Amendment to the TIP appeared first on Bike Newport.

STIP Major Amendment Includes Drastic Reduction in Bike Funding

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The post below first appeared on the Bike Newport blog. This post has been edited to correct the proposed cuts to Transportation, which is 17% (not the previously reported 47%.) Bike Newport A major amendment to the STIP (State Transportation Improvement Plan) was presented by RIDOT (Rhode Island Department of Transportation) to the State Planning…  read more

Statewide Bicycle Planning Guides

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Did you know Rhode Island and Massachusetts have draft statewide Bicycle Planning Guides? Massachusetts Department of Transportation has a ‘Draft Municipal Resource Guide For Bikeability,’ and Rhode Island has a draft ‘Bicycle Mobility Plan.’ Give them a read and see the future when all road users are treated equally and we leave car-centric planning behind. These plans share missions: Biking will be a safe, comfortable, and convenient (MA) and safe, fun, and practical (RI) option for everyday travel. They are encouraging and informative documents that assist people in choosing bicycles, and municipalities in planning for bikeable places. Well done, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. We hope to see them adopted soon! The post Statewide Bicycle Planning Guides appeared first on Bike Newport.

The ABC Bike Safety Check and Bike Maintenance

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Before you head out on a ride do this really useful “ABC Quick Check ” to ensure a safe ride. “A” = Air. Check the sidewall of the tire and inflate tires to the rated pressure as indicated on the sidewall. Use a pressure gauge to ensure proper tire pressure. Check if there’s any damage to tire tread and sidewall; replace tire if they’re worn. “B” = Brakes. Have a look at your brakes, check the brakes and cables to make sure they aren’t worn down. See if you can reach the brake levers comfortably, then squeeze them for cable tightness and push forwards: if the wheel turns you will need to get your brakes fixed before you go out riding. “C” = Chain : Always check that the chain is clean and lubricated. A rusty chain drags, changes gear poorly and may even snap. While you’re down there, spin your pedals and check that the cranks don’t wiggle from side to side and that there are no grinding noises from the bottom bracket. Finally, make sure your derailleur – the device that moves the chain between gears – is straight and clears your spokes comfortably. Quick: Check your quick release skewers on your wheels. Make sure they are tight enough to keep your wheels on. Check: Take a quick ride to check if derailleurs and brakes are working properly. Inspect the bike for broken parts or loose parts; tighten, replace or fix them. If you ride on the roads a lot or do some off-roading then your bike will need more attention than a fair weather rider who ventures out once a month or so. Whatever  your bike needs, we’re here to help. The following links give some great advice will help keep your bike good working condition – and help you know when it’s time to bring it to Bike Newport to learn more about caring for your bike. It’s good to have a  few of your own tools to tweak and care for your bike such as a wrench, allen keys, de-greaser, bike pump etc, but if you don’t have them, bring your bike over to Bike Newport where you can use our tools and learn all you need to know. Bike Newport’s Open Garage hours: M, W, Th 4.30-7pm and Saturday 1-4pm Here are some other great links to caring for your bike: 101 Bike Maintenance Bicycle Maintenance Checklist A Daily, Weekly, Monthly and Yearly Bike Maintenance Checklist Photo: https://letsgosmartnc.com/2014/05/ The post The ABC Bike Safety Check and Bike Maintenance appeared first on Bike Newport.