11.06.07
Posted in Advocacy
by Mark Dieterich at 9:25 am
While our focus is advocacy for cyclists in and around the Providence area, there are many of us who spend time cycling in Massachusetts. A recent post came across the NBW email list that we thought might be of interest.
If you live in MA, you might be interested in the following legislation now in committee on Beacon Hill. Basically, the following letter urges you to contact the committee chairs and your state senators/reps to tell them that you wan this legislation passed. Letter (below) came to me from New Horizon Sports (they sponsor the Great River Ride)
We need your help to get the Massachusetts Bicyclist Safety Bill out of the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. This is essentially the same bill that was passed by both houses of the Legislature last December, and then vetoed by the outgoing administration, forcing us to start over. The bill, Senate 1414, called “An Act Relative to Bicyclist Safety“
The key provisions of the bill are: police training on bicycle law; clarification of how to safely pass a bicycle; clarification of how to safely make turns in front of bicycles; “dooring” subject to ticket and fine; riding two abreast permitted when it does not impede cars from passing; improved enforcement of bicycle law for both motorists and bicyclists; and additional legal protections for bicyclists who choose to ride to the right of other traffic.
The Public Safety Committee held a hearing on this bill in June, and MassBike and others testified in support of it. Now we need the Committee to report favorably on the bill, so that it can move to the next step in the legislative process. We are still a few steps away from getting the bill passed again.
Here is what we need you to do:
1. Email the co-chairs of the Public Safety Committee, Senator James Timilty and Representative Michael Costello to ask that S1414, An Act Relative to Bicyclist Safety, be reported favorably.
We have to impress upon the legislature, especially the committee chairs, that there are a significant number of people who support this bill, otherwise it will not get out of committee!
2. Call or email your state representative and your state senator and ask each of them to contact the co-chairs of the Public Safety Committee to say they want S1414, An Act Relative to Bicyclist Safety, reported favorably.
Your participation counts - don’t assume that everyone else will do it!
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11.04.07
Posted in Advocacy
by Mark Dieterich at 7:47 pm
RIDOT is currently in the process of trying to hire a replacement Chief Engineer. This position can have a huge impact on prioritizing RIDOT projects and, in some ways, the future of cycling in the state. PBC decided to use this vacancy as an opportunity to introduce ourselves to Jerome Williams, the Director of RIDOT, and impress upon him the need to hire someone to fill this position that can see beyond just the needs of automobiles. The following email was sent on behalf of PBC:
Dear Director Williams:
Attached is a letter introducing our organization — the Providence Bicycle Coalition — and identifying suggestions to elevate bicycle use in the state’s transportation planning. We recognize that Rhode Island and RIDOT enjoy deservedly high marks for our wonderful network of recreational bike paths. Our concern is that bicycles are seen primarily as recreational, and that too little focus has been given to expanding their role as an equal transportation mode for commuting and other kinds of trips. An immediate example of this recreational bias is the lane restriction planned shortly for the Henderson Bridge. Henderson is now the only access to Providence for cyclists coming from the East Bay while the Washington Street Bridge is under construction. The timing of the Henderson work suggests it was scheduled without considering the increased danger and difficulty to be imposed on commuter cyclists.
Although bicycling and other transportation modes are represented on the TAC, that body does not seem to be involved in decisions affecting immediate users; including our organization and other stakeholders in planning and scheduling would help to avoid these kinds of situations, as well as build a strong cadre of supporters to advocate for needed resources.
A hard copy of this letter is also in the mail. We look forward to working more closely with your department.
Thank you for your attention.
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Posted in Announcements
by Mark Dieterich at 7:22 pm
RIDOT is dedicating the latest section of the Blackstone Bikeway tomorrow. Full details are listed in our Blackstone River Bikeway dedication event posting. It would be great to see a contingent of bikes ride to the dedication. Thanks to everyone who alerted us to this upcoming event.
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Posted in Events
by Mark Dieterich at 2:02 pm
| November 5, 2007 |
| 11:30 am | to | 12:00 pm |
Jerome F. Williams, director of Rhode Island Department of Transportation, cordially invites you to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of the new segment of the Blackstone River Bikeway; linking Lincoln, North Smithfield, and Woonsocket on
Monday, November 5, 2007 at 11:30 a.m
Event to take place in the Manville section of Lincoln.
Dirctions to the bikeway dedication:
From Providence: Follow Route 146 North (Exit 23 off I-95 North) about 9 miles to the exit for Route 99 (Woonsocket and Cumberland). Take first exit onto Sayles Hill Road (Route 120). At the end of the ramp, turn right. Follow Sayles Hill Road, which turns into Old River Road, and take a left onto Main Street, after Denis Market. Follow Main Street for 4/10 of a mile and take a right onto New River Road. The entrance to the bike path parking lot is approximately 2/10 of a mile on the left.
From I-295: Follow I-295 to Exit 9 (Route 146 North) then take the exit for Route 99 and follow directions above. Alternatively, take Exit 10 (Route 122/Mendon Road). Follow Route 122 North for 2.5 miles to intersection with Route 120 West. Take a left onto Manville Hill Road and follow for 8/10 of a mile. Take the first left after the bridge onto New River Road. The entrance to the bike path parking lot is approximately 2/10 of a mile on the left.
Parking is available in a small parking lot and along the access road (left side only). Event site is on the path, about 1,000 feet from the parking lot. RSVP: to Charles St. Martin at 401-222-1362, extension 4007 by Friday, November 2, 2007
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