Welcome to Cycle Tracks, RIBike’s bi-weekly bike advocacy email newsletter.
The last film in our monthly winter film series, “The Bicycle Thief” is Tuesday, March 8th. Called “the greatest film of all time,” it follows a man searching for his stolen bike that he desperately needs for his new job. Tickets are $12, with a discount for members of RIBike. Come out and enjoy the awesome viewing experience at Cable Car, hang out with other people who like bikes, and support RIBike in the process!
Get excited for Bike Newport’s 5thannual winter party! Thursday, March 3rd, 6:00-9:00pm at Midtown Oyster Bar, 345 Thames Street in Newport. Live music with Slackwater String Band and Los Duderinos with help from Common Fence Music. RIBike’s VeloSprint racing, silent auction, raffles, cash bar, and plenty of BIKE LOVE! Plus the annual tradition grand prize bicycle. $20 at the door – all funds raised support Bike & Road Safety Education.
A new community-based bike group is forming in Smithfield! Bike Smithfield is having its first meeting at Greenville Public Library this Thursday, 2/25, at 6:00pm. If you live in Smithfield, come see how you can get involved in making the town more bikeable!
The State Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) will be deciding this Thursday which bike projects in the state are what overall priority for the next ten years. Read our blog post to learn more!
The Governor’s budget included a proposal for $35 million Green Economy bond referendum, including $10 million for bike paths! This is what the Paths to Progress coalition has been fighting for. Now we need the House to keep that $35 million in there despite powerful voices calling to reduce it. Contact your State Rep or write a letter to the Projo telling them how important this bond is!
Recycle-a-Bike has two WTF (Women, Trans, Fem) events coming up! On Wednesday March 2, 6-9pm (and the first Wednesday of every month) is WTF Wrenching Wednesdays. For more information, see the RAB website. Secondly, in honor of Women’s History Month, Recycle-a-Bike is offering a WTF (Women, Trans, Fem) Build-a-Bike in March! The course consists of 6 Classes: Sundays 2:00- 5:00pm (3/13, 3/20, 3/27) & Wednesdays 6:00- 9:00pm (3/16, 3/23, 3/30). This six-session course was created to teach folks the ABCs of bike maintenance and repair, while learning the process for how to refurbish abandoned bikes for those in need. No experience with bike maintenance needed–this class is open to all levels! Class Price: $200 (Financial aid/work trade granted on a case-by-case basis, email Ally for more information.)
Get ready for the March Bike the Nightin Providence with Mayor Jorge Elorza! March is Women’s History Month, and we’ll patronize a woman-owned business for our social stop at the end of the ride! It will be next Thursday, March 3rd, leaving from City Hall at 6:30pm. These slow group rides are fun for all experience levels!
New bike racks are coming into several places in Newport! Locations are: Broadway, Bellevue, and Panera Bread. Zip Car sponsored racks are in place adjacent to IYRS on Lower Thames. Support biking by sponsoring much needed bike parking. Email Mary Ellen to get started.
Do you want a Bike To Work Day (May 20) event to happen in your town? So do we! And you can help make it happen. We’re trying to get Bike To Work Day breakfast events happening in as many cities & towns in RI as possible, and to do that we need volunteer point-people in each town. If that sounds interesting to you, let us know here!
RIBike is working to get a training in Rhode Island this summer to certify participants as bicycling instructors via the League of American Bicyclists Smart Cycling curriculum. Interested in getting certified? Let us know!
NBX Bikes is offering repair classes that will cove “what if” scenarios, bicycle tuning, flat tire repair, and quick fixes to some common issues when you’re out riding. The course costs $39.99, and after the class you will receive a coupon for 15% off parts, tools, and accessories.
- East Providence: Wednesdays 4-6pm @ 414 Warren Ave in East Providence
- Warwick: Wednesdays 4-6pm @ 3480 Post Road in Warwick
- Narragansett: Thursdays 4-6pm @ 922 Boston Neck Rd in Narragansett