Providence Bicycle Coalition (PBC)
| June 25, 2008 | ||
| 6:00 pm | to | 8:00 pm |
The next PBC advocacy meeting will start at 6pm on June 25th @ the Hub. We will send out an agenda for the meeting to the advocacy email list. Please join us if you are interested in talking about bicycle advocacy in and around Providence.
The next meeting of the full group will be sometime in September.
The House recently passed the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008 (HR-6049). Included in this bill is a transportation fringe benefit for bicycle commuters. Among the benefits are:
In English, I believe this is saying that we could take a tax deduction for bicycle commuting related expenses. The dollar limit would be linked to the total number of employee’s claiming the exemption. If it goes through, it’s time to start beating the drum and convincing co-workers to bike to work.
We’ve seen legislation like this in the past, but to my knowledge it’s never made it past the full congress and signed into law. I get miffed every year when I do my taxes and see that I could take a tax deduction for driving a hybrid vehicle, yet I get nothing for riding a bike! Perhaps this will be our lucky year!
According to a Columbus Dispatch article, the city of Columbus, OH has made a solid commitment to the future of bicycles. They plan to
add 31 miles of off-street trails and 58 miles of on-street bike lanes and routes.
Make N. High Street friendlier to bicyclists.
Build a Downtown bike station where two-wheel commuters would be able to change clothes and park their bikes.
The city has an ambitious 288 page plan on paper. They estimate that the
20-year plan has a total estimated cost of $167.6 million. About $20 million is required for the first phase, the Bicentennial Bikeway Plan, which has a target completion date of 2012.
I did some digging online, to see how the demographics of Columbus compare with those of Providence. Not surprisingly, Columbus has about four times as many people (711,470) as Providence (173,618) does. However, Providence is 2.75 times more dense (9,564/sq mile) than Columbus (3,471/sq mile). From the studies I’ve read, it’s pretty clear that cycling becomes more attractive as the density of people increases. This would indicate that Providence has the potential to be more bikeable than Columbus.
At present, I know Providence is in the early stages of a signing and striping campaign. My understanding is the striping is minimal. I haven’t a clue what it costs to put up signs, but if Providence were to invest a quarter of the money Columbus has proposed, would mean around $42 million over the next 20 years. So this begs the questions:
I’d welcome any comments from people in the know. If not, I’ll see if I can do some digging to turn up some numbers and long term plans.
| June 21, 2008 | ||
| 9:00 am | to | 4:00 pm |
MAKE SOME WAVES AND PUSH SOME PEDALS ON JUNE 21ST
Paddle and Peddle to Support Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration’s Animal Rescue Efforts
MYSTIC, CT - The Fifth annual Animal Rescue Kayak (ARK) paddle and peddle will be held at Bluff Point State Park, Groton, CT on June 21st from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It promises to be a fun-filled day for the whole family!
| June 7, 2008 | ||
| 10:00 am | to | 8:00 pm |
| June 8, 2008 | ||
| 10:00 am | to | 8:00 pm |
On June 7th and 8th, the Apeiron Institute for Sustainable Living (apeiron.org) is holding its annual Rhode Island Sustainable Living Festival & Clean Energy Expo. And the Providence Bicycle Coalition is helping Apeiron to offer a way to get to the event via sustainable, muscle-powered transportation!
For both days of the festival, a “bike train” will travel the East Coast Greenway route from downtown Providence to the event site in Coventry, about 22 miles away. All registrants coming to the fest on the bike train will get free admission and goodies. Plus, the first 50 registrants will receive a free t-shirt designed exclusively for the bike train cyclists!
This annual event features great music, fun and informational workshops, and many vendors and cool displays related to sustainable living.
For more information on the festival, go here:
For more information on the “bike train” from Providence to the festival via Cranston, Warwick, West Warwick, and Coventry, including instructions on how to register, go here:
| June 29, 2008 | ||
| 10:00 am |
The Bikeway Patrol is pleased to announce our schedule of upcoming events. All programs begin at 10 am at the Blackstone River State Park 295N Visitor Center, Lincoln, RI. They will be guided by the Volunteer in Parks Blackstone River Bikeway Patrol in partnership with the Peloton Bicycle Shop.
June 29 Children’s Parade Arrrive early to decorate your bike with streamers, horns, bells and ribbons. Join our parade which will begin at 11. Also enjoy our bicycle safety clinic and get your helmet properly adjusted by one of our experts
| June 15, 2008 | ||
| 10:00 am |
The Bikeway Patrol is pleased to announce our schedule of upcoming events. All programs begin at 10 am at the Blackstone River State Park 295N Visitor Center, Lincoln, RI. They will be guided by the Volunteer in Parks Blackstone River Bikeway Patrol in partnership with the Peloton Bicycle Shop.
June 15 Father’s Day Ride Get Dad off the couch, give him time off from those Sunday chores and enjoy time together riding along the bikeway. Surprises for him before the ride and maybe even along the path!
| June 5, 2008 | ||
| 6:00 pm | to | 8:00 pm |
Our next monthly advocacy meeting is at 6:00pm on June 5th at The Hub (181 Brook Street, Providence RI).