Despite the negative campaign rhetoric, the “stimulus” program actually provided about $160 million to RIDOT which not only provided jobs to construction workers, it helped RIDOT catch up a bit on Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)projects so much that is there is room in the remaining 2 years of the TIP to add some approved projects… read more
Advocacy
Ronde de Rhody: Monday Oct 11 (Columbus Day)
What: The RdR is an urban cyclocross tour to raise funds for Bikes Belong and the East Coast Greenway. The Ronde springs from the ashes of your urban riding nightmares, then like an incubus breeds with post-apocalyptic streetscapes, the industrial age, fine Victorian architecture, and lovely bay views. The resulting mutant baby will giggle &… read more
design issues in Phase 3 of South County Bike Path
Bob Votava, who is head of DOTWatch and Friends of the William C O’Neill Bike Path (aka South County bike path), reports a possible problem with ongoing phase 3 construction with regard to the historic railroad tunnel underneath Route 1 that is being used to extend the path. The current design apparently will fill a… read more
GREEN PARTY: Senate candidate killed while biking (09/22/2010
From today’s Energy and Environment Reporter. How is it possible that the driver of the SUV didn’t realize she had a bicycle wedged under her car after she hit and killed the cyclist? This is in Maryland, but I wonder if the police will be any more aggressive in handling this outrageous case than they… read more
where to put bike parking
As part of an effort to help “green” the campus, the new Presdent of Rhode Island College, Nancy Carriuolo, is trying to make RIC more bike friendly and so has proposed ending the prohibition of bikes on the campus “mall” and has sought to have bike racks installed on campus. In fact, thanks to help… read more
PPD Bike Patrol
I raised my hand and volunteered to approach the Providence Police Department to find out about their Bike Cop program. My first visit led me to a phone number and response from two Officers in the building. Both Officers told me the same thing. There is no Bicycle Patrol Division. There is no Bicycle Patrol… read more
Elmwood Avenue Walk-Through
As previously reported, Elmwood Avenue is getting a much needed overhaul thanks to RIDOT. This coming Thursday @ 11am, RIDOT and L+A Landscape Architecture will present their design recommendations for the project. A group will gather at the the Knight Memorial Library (275 Elmwood Ave). Come see what the future of Elmwood Avenue could look… read more
Providence Core Connector Study Open House
In a recent communication from the CTC, we learned that RIPTA and the City of Providence will be hosting three open houses on September 21, 22 and 23 to engage the public in the Core Connector Study (the feasibility study that will examine the possibility of streetcar or another urban circulator mode for the Downtown… read more
Union Avenue Bridge Update
As you may recall, RIDOT closed the Union Avenue Bridge on June 23, 2010. Paul Martens recently corresponded with RIDOT to find out what the bridge replacment will mean for cyclists. Here is their response: The new Union Ave bridge will have the same design configuration as the old Union Ave bridge. There will be… read more
Westerly Town Manager Respose
If you have corresponded with the Westerly Mayor on behalf of Russ Harkay, I would encourage you to send us a summary of the discussion. I received the following update from Paul Martens, who contacted the town manager on cyclists behalf: Mr. Martens: FYI, here is a copy of the police report narrative from the… read more
Russ Harkay Accident Update
I received another email update from Russ. It’s now eleven days after his bicycle accident and he has yet to be interviewed by the police to get his side of the story, what could they possibly be waiting for? I’d like to believe that police take every accident seriously and all are treated with the… read more
Providence Mayoral Candidate Q&A
The College Hill Neighborhood Association (CHNA) is presenting a Providence mayoral Q&A session on Thursday, August 26th from 6:30pm – 8:30pm at the Wheeler School. They are soliciting questions you would like to see answered by the candidates. Submissions can be sent to chna@collegehillneighborhoodassociation.org . Questions must be received by Wednesday, August 25th at 12noon. … read more