From an article in today’s projo, the Barrington town council
approved spending up to $10,000 to construct a new bike shelter so people can safely store their bicycles before catching a RIPTA bus to work.
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation is offering to finance the design of the project, which will include the installation of about 10 bike racks and a covered shelter.
The location would be near where the bike path connector meets County Road, according to Town Planner Philip Hervey. There is already a shelter for bus riders.
Another town that is starting to understand how bicycles can be used for transportation. If all goes well, this project should end up costing the town very little as
the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority has offered to commit $40,000 if Barrington chips in 20 percent of the cost.
The only question I have here is whether or not RIPTA can afford to do this. At a time when they are discussing route cuts to cover bugetary shortfalls, should they be spending money on bike racks? Hopefully, this means RIPTA has secured other funding to continue their full compliement or routes.
Are you looking for some way to reach out to your local community? I’d suggest each of us can contact our local officials, make sure they know what Barrington is doing and ask whether your town can do the same!