08.28.08
Posted in Events
by Mark Dieterich at 9:18 am
Our next monthly advocacy meeting will be held on September 4th @ 6pm. Starting with this meeting, we will congregate at the offices of Red Five Sports Group (269 South Main Street). This new location will provide us with more room to accomodate a growing group. I’d like to thank the Hub for their generousity in hosting us for almost a year now!
On the agenda for this meeting:
- An update on the Henderson Bridge work
- A review of the changes that have been proposed to the bicycle section of the RI Drivers Manual
- A discussion of the Amtrak bike parking issue
- A discussion about the new city bike route signage system - does it function? If not, how can we help the city improve it?
There will be time at the end to raise any additional issues you might have. Hope to see you there!
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Posted in Advocacy
by Mark Dieterich at 9:06 am
I haven’t yet had a chance to read through the entire report myself, but I thought I would post some links now for everyone to enjoy and I’d post my comments later when I’ve had a chance to complete my read of it.
National Survey of Bicyclist and Pedestrian Attitudes and Behavior
This report presents findings from the National Survey of Bicyclist and Pedestrian Attitudes and Behavior, jointly sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) and administered by The Gallup Organization. The goals of the survey were to ascertain the scope and magnitude of bicycle and pedestrian activity and the public’s behavior and attitudes regarding bicycling and walking.
- Volume I: Summary Report (DOT HS 810 971)
Provides a top line summary of key data results regarding the behaviors and attitudes on various topics related to walking and bicycling including reported frequency of walking and bicycling during the summer months, trip purpose and characteristics, perceptions of safety, safety practices, facilities available and community design.
- Volume II: Findings Report (DOT HS 810 972)
Presents a detailed analysis on these topics.
- Volume III: Methods Report (DOT HS 810 973)
Describes the methods used to conduct the interviews and analyze the data. It also contains a copy of the most recent questionnaire.
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08.27.08
Posted in Events
by Mark Dieterich at 9:24 pm
| October 14, 2008 |
| 12:30 am | to | 5:00 pm |
Our neighbors to the North have once again surpassed us. They are holding a bicycle and pedestrian conference in mid-October:
Moving Together 2008. Bicycling and walking are becoming increasingly visible and important across the country as well as across the Commonwealth. Our invited keynote speaker, Gabe Rousseau, Ph.D, National Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Manager for the Federal Highway Administration, will provide his timely perspective on current initiatives and trends. Based in Washington DC, Rousseau draws upon his extensive experience with the Federal government as well as work with the States. Moving Together’s workshops and exhibits feature up-to-date information that help you to improve bicycling and walking conditions locally, regionally and statewide.
The $40 conference registration fee includes a continental breakfast, refreshments, lunch, and conference materials. For registration information contact: Baystate Roads Program, tel: (413) 545-2604, or register on-line. Please note that registration is limited, so register early to secure your place.
Sue Barker suggests we might want to consider joining together for a group ride to the event, any takers?
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08.26.08
Posted in Advocacy
by Mark Dieterich at 8:59 pm
Just weeks before Frank’s Ride is due to roll out, we get word that the driver responsible for another senseless death will not be facing criminal charges. According to the Projo article:
A Westerly woman who struck and killed a University of Rhode Island student in Narragansett this past April has been cited for speeding and failing to stay in her travel lane, but she will not face criminal charges, investigators said today.
Gayle Cherenzia, of 1 Bayview Drive, Westerly, was traveling more than 50 mph in a zone posted for 30 just moments before she struck Mary Ellen Claire Offer, a 19-year-old art major from Woodcliff Lake, N.J.
Cherenzia, 53, had also veered into the breakdown lane where Offer and her 20-year-old URI roommate, Holly Maganzini, were walking.
But the infractions do not rise to the standard needed for criminal charges — “reckless disregard” or “heedless indifference” for the safety of others, and that means there will be no charges, said Michael J. Healey, spokesman for the attorney general’s office.
So what does it take to warrant criminal charges? Is anyone reading this a lawyer who can point to a vehicular homicide that was actually prosecuted in RI? As with Frank’s death, there is no talk of a license suspension. However, you can rest better at night knowing that:
Offer and Maganzini had parked at the Overlook Professional Plaza on Boston Neck Road and were walking back to their car from a party when the accident occurred. Little said the town is looking at possible charges against the host or hosts of the party, which held was at 763 Boston Neck Road, according to Healey and Det. Lt. William McGovern.
What???? They don’t bring charges against the motorist who killed someone, yet they are looking to bring charges against the host of the party? There is no mention of underage drinking on the part of the URI students, so why in the World would they bring charges against the party hosts? From what they said, the URI students were walking along the road in a responsible manner. Even if, and it’s a big if, they consumed some alcohol, it seemed to have no affect on their judgment and behavior.
Perhaps it’s time to go back to school and get a law degree. Obviously, the DA’s office in RI could use some more help so they can actually prosecute some of these cases.
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08.23.08
Posted in Tales from the Trenches
by Mark Dieterich at 9:44 pm
I was just about home last night, when I passed a car parked on the sidewalk just down the street. For whatever reason, I decided to actual try and do something about it this time. So I called the non-emergency police number and told the dispatcher that they could score an easy ticket, as there was a car parked on the sidewalk. While he didn’t say it, I could sense from the dispatchers voice that he thought I was wasting their time.
I figured nothing would come of this call, so I sat down with the family to enjoy dinner. Part way through the meal, I was shocked when I saw out the window that a police cruiser was actually driving down the street; I really didn’t figure they would even bother. I was even more shocked when the officer just drove by and did nothing! I saw at least a half dozen people need to detour off the sidewalk because of this car, a few of them opting to take the blind leap onto the road and potential oncoming traffic.
Just another sign that the car does truly rule in America.
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08.22.08
Posted in Bike Commuting, Jewelry District, Warwick
by Mark Dieterich at 10:21 pm
We received the following via our only contact page:
Hi, I’m interested in trying to commute from home (in Warwick) to my job in the Jewelry District. I can take the Warwick bike path all the way till it ends at the Lowes plaza on Garfield St
in Cranston. I’m looking at Cranston St to Westminster St as a potential route… However, I drove it today in my car, and the stretch of Cranston St seemed high traffic, and a lot of young guys
loitering around on the sidewalk… a little sketchy. Is there any nice route from the end of the bike path to downtown? Should I pack a gun?
Anyone out there with route advice?
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Posted in Advocacy
by Mark Dieterich at 9:46 pm
A recent report published by the Reason Foundation doesn’t paint a pretty picture for the effectiveness of the Rhode Island road network.
The Reason Foundation study measures the performance of state-owned roads and highways from 1984 to 2005 in 12 different categories, including traffic fatalities, congestion, pavement condition, bridge condition, highway maintenance and administrative costs, to determine each state’s ranking and cost-effectiveness.
Overall, they rank Rhode Island as 47 out of 50. There are only 3 states that are less effective than Rhode Island, including: New York, Alaska, and New Jersey. You can read the full report, but here are some of the Rhode Island highlights:
In 2005, Rhode Island reported 1,102 miles of highway under the state-owned highway system. The state ranked 47th in the performance rankings in 2005 as compared to 36th in 2000. The state’s best ratings were for rural interstate condition (1st), urban interstate condition (1st) and fatality rate (7th). The state scored lowest on deficient bridges (50th), rural primary pavement condition (49th), maintenance disbursements per mile of responsibility (48th), total disbursements per mile of responsibility (45th), capital/bridge disbursements per mile of responsibility (45th), receipts per mile of responsibility (44th), administrative disbursements per mile of responsibility (44th) and urban interstate congestion (43rd). Rhode Island has relatively high costs compared to system condition.
Unfortunately, the report has no data on non-state roads.
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Posted in Events
by Mark Dieterich at 11:04 am
| August 23, 2008 |
| 2:00 pm | to | 5:00 pm |
Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council would like you to join them on the Greenway for their Bike Rodeo!
DATE: Saturday, August 23rd
TIME: 2:00-5:00
LOCATION: Riverside Park in Providence, Aleppo Street, (adjacent to Atlantic Mills)
The Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council River Rangers are rounding up used bikes for children and adults (in working condition) to pass on for free to those in need of a bike. Mechanics will be on hand at Riverside Park along side the paved off-road portion of the Fred Lippitt Woonasquatucket River Greenway to make minor repairs to donated bikes. Come enjoy a free bike raffle and helmet giveaway, bike safety games, food, drink, music and obstacle course. River Rangers will offer guided bike tours of the greenway and mechanics will tune bikes up for free.
If you are interested in donating a working bike please come to the Rodeo between 1:00pm-5:00pm to drop off your bike. If you can’t join us on August 23rd, but have a bike to drop off, please contact Lisa Aurecchia at 861-9046 to set up a convenient time.
CHILDREN’S BIKES NEEDED!
Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council
27 Sims Avenue
Providence, Rhode Island 02909
401-861-9046
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Posted in Events
by Mark Dieterich at 9:31 am
| September 24, 2008 |
| 7:00 pm |
Here’s a message from the Friends of India Point Park (FIPP).
For those of you who live in Providence or know the importance to cyclists of this central travel connection, this is an important meeting. Even if you don’t choose to comment, large numbers of bike and pedestrian folks at these meetings sends an important message to the decision makers and elected officials who hold these meeting.
FIPP is planning a meeting at which RIDOT officials will discuss the India Point Park pedestrian bridge and related topics with the community. The date is September 24, Wednesday, at 7PM, at the Sheldon Street Church in Providence. All interested parties are encouraged to attend.
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08.21.08
Posted in Advocacy, General
by Mark Dieterich at 9:01 am
The crew over at Bike-To-Brown posted a quick poll on their site to try and quantify how the construction on the Henderson Bridge has affected bicycle commuters. I’d encourage everyone to take the poll, so that Bike-to-Brown has some data to include in a letter they are drafting to RIDOT.
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