You probably read about big cuts proposed for the RIPTA bus system. If implemented, they would likely set off a downward spiral of less passengers, hence even less service in the future. Such a spiral would also hurt bicycle advocacy in several ways. It makes it harder to live car-free, indeed signals to all, get… read more
Advocacy
end of bike path program??
Both in DC and in RI there are serious threats to the continued development of our bike path system. The GOP dominated US House of Representatives is poised to pass a transportation bill that reduces transportation spending by almost 1/3 to match revenues generated by a Federal gas tax of 18.4 cents/gallon that has not… read more
New TIP under development!
The process for developing the next 4 year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) is starting despite uncertainties about total funding, or even if bike related programs will survive in the Federal law in light of the anti-environment atmosphere in the GOP that now runs the US House of Repreentatives. What’s in it for the bike program?… read more
Bike Path Video Survey, Week of June 6th
RIDOT announced this week that another round of video surveying will be conducted on 4 of the state’s bike paths the week of June 6th. Similar to last years surveying on the East Bay Bike Path, while the path is not closed, RIDOT is recommending that path users stay off the paths on the day… read more
Sharrows are Coming!
Word comes from the Bike-to-Brown mailing list that sharrows have started to appear along the on-road portion of the Blackstone Bike Way connector. This shot was taken by John Pezza on High Street in Central Falls. To my knowledge, this is the first use of sharrows in Rhode Island and marks a big step forward… read more
Join the 2 Mile Challenge
For the past two years, I’ve been participating in Clif Bars 2 Mile Challenge. Their goal is to help motivate people to swap car trips for bike trips, when you are traveling a distance of less than 2 miles. At the same time, they are awarding a total of $100,000 between three different bicycling non-profits. … read more
CTC Hosting Two Complete Streets Webinar Viewings
The Coalition for Transportation Choices, of which RIBike is a member, is hosting two Complete Streets Webinar Viewings in the coming weeks. Here’s the official announcement: The CTC invites you to a local viewing of a national webinar on Complete Streets With pre and post discussion lead by Deborah Miller, Associate State Director, AARP-RI Part One:… read more
Maryland Governor Signs Manslaughter by Vehicle Law
Maryland bicycle advocates have something to celebrate this week. They were successful in getting legislation passed to punish motorists for dangerous driving when pedestrians or cyclists are killed. You can read more about their HB-363 bill. Another state wakes up and gets on board with the Vulnerable Road User movement, can RI be next?
legislative update
ON Thursday May 5 the Senate Judiciary Committee heard numerous highway safety bills including S669, the “vulnerable road user” bill that enhances penalties if a careless driver injures or kills a bicyclist or other vulnerable user. Other bills were aimed at limiting hand-held cell phone use while driving, tightening drunk driving controls and penalties and… read more
Think Multi-Modal
Public Transit, Personal Automobile, Bicycles and Feet can all combine to make for a time-effective way to commute to and from work. While RIPTA schedules aren’t always what you need, combining a RIPTA Park and Ride facility, bus ride and bicycle ride can easily make getting into and out of the city less expensive and… read more
Considering Biking To Work or Play?
With National Bike Month getting underway, we at Rhode Island Bicycle Coalition would love to help those considering using a bicycle as part of their work commute. Throughout the month, in addition to the usual flow of discussion topics, scheduling announcements, we’ll be sharing resources that we’ve found helpful in our own lives. To start… read more
May 5 hearing on vulnerable road user bill, S669
Here we go again. The hearing on S669 (thank you Senator Sosnowski) before the Judiciary Committee is scheduled at the “rise” (adjournment) of the Senate (usually about 4:30pm) on Thursday, May 5 in Room 313. Even if you cannot attend, please try to take a look at the bill (on-line at www.rilin.state.ri.us) and either post… read more