Providence Bicycle Coalition (PBC)
| November 4, 2009 | ||
| 6:00 pm | to | 9:00 pm |
| November 11, 2009 | ||
| 6:00 pm | to | 9:00 pm |
Looking to transform that old bicycle you have sitting in your basement into a fixie? Then join Recycle-a-Bike for one of their fixed gear workshops:
Nov. 4 and 11, 6-9pm with Daniel. Learn how to turn any bike into a fixed gear. We have plenty in stock here to work on, but you are welcome to bring your own as well. Classes $10 each.
Barry Shiller, our resident legislation expert, provided us with an update on the anti-texting bill (S204A) in advance of last night’s advocacy meeting. For those who were not able to attend, here are some of the highlights from Barry:
If the Assembly reconvenes for 2 days in late October, I have been advocating passage of S204A (sponsor: Senator Sue Sosnowski) which defines, and then prohibits, text-messaging while driving. It calls for fines, $50 first offense, then $75, then $100. It exempts emergency and law enforcement personnel from this act, and does not prohibit text messaging while the car is parked, standing, or removed from the flow of traffic.
The bill passed the Senate unanimously on May 7 with support from RIDOT, AAA, the insurance industry, and me representing [the bicycling community, through] GARI. It was assigned to the House Corporations Committee (Chair: Brian P Kennedy) which however never gave it a hearing (usually the Speaker’s call) at the point they recessed in late June.
Since then I have contacted Majority Leader Gordon Fox and Representative Brian Kennedy about this issue, noting related House bills (sponsored by Kilmartin, McNamara, or Giannini) also held in that Committee, thus never getting to the Senate. Both actually replied indicating support.
Barry is now requesting that anyone who would like to see this bill heard contact your local representative and ask them to help ensure the bill is passed into legislation. You can find your representatives phone number(s) and e-mail by searching for your representatives on the voter information site. After entering your information, look for the General Assembly entries. While e-mail certainly works, representatives are often flooded with e-mail and a phone call will stand out more.
From a recent post on the NBW email list:
I just heard from a co-worker that Patrick Condon of Seekonk, age 56, was killed last Friday in a bicycle accident. I did know him and have no other details. Does anyone have any further information?
Does anyone have details on this accident?
UPDATE: The following was posted on the NEMBA list:
Patrick Condon, a good friend and new rider, fell about 8 days ago on a ride. Initially Pat was diagnosed with a broken wrist and spent the next few days a home. On the fifth day, Pat had a stroke while preparing to go to work. He was taken to Rhode Island Hospital and doctors in the emergency room believed the fall had caused a clot to form causing the stroke. It was later found that Pat had damaged his carotid artery (in his neck) and this caused the stroke. He quickly had brain swelling and an emergency craniotomy was performed to relieve the swelling. Sadly, Pat passed away on Friday.
From this description, it sounds like a solitary accident, rather than anything involving another cylists, motorist, or pedestrian. This certainly serves as a reminder to those of us on bikes that it’s crucial to seek medical attention after any sort of bicycle accident. While it sounds like Patrick did everything right in this case, I know there are many people who just shake off an accident.
Our thoughts go out to this cyclist’s family and friends.
I came in via the Henderson Bridge this morning and noticed there are now bike lane signs. Unfortunately, there is no sign of the actual bike lane! I applaud RIDOT for their attention to bicycles, this bridge has plenty of room to add bicycle lanes.
While I’m certainly glad to see the signs, I’m once again concerned about the coordination of the various aspects of this project. The signs are posted, but when is the actual striping going to happen? If the signs are up, without any re-striping being done, drivers are just going to get used to ignoring the signs. This negates any effect we could hope to achieve with the signage.
UPDATE: I received a response from RIDOT. Apparently, the striping contract has been slightly delayed because of recent rain. The current estimate is they will begin grinding out the old striping on Wednesday, Oct. 21st with striping to immediately to follow. If all goes as planned, we should have bike lanes on the Henderson Bridge by Wednesday, Oct. 28th.
| November 5, 2009 | ||
| 7:00 pm | to | 9:00 pm |
Looking for something to do as the weather turns cooler and the roads become wet? During the month of November, there will be an ongoing art show at the newly renovated Machines with Magnets Gallery. Sixteen (16) Artists from CT, MA and RI have contributed scores of
pieces to celebrate bicycling.
They are holding an opening reception on November 5th, from 7pm – 9pm at Machines with Magnets Gallery (400 Main Street, Pawtucket). Read the press release for more information.
I know of at least one local cyclists and artist who will be displaying his art at this festival.
| October 19, 2009 | ||
| 8:00 pm |
We will hold the first, of many no doubt, meetings to discuss what needs to happen to go forward with the GARI/PBC Merger on Monday, October 19th following the regular PBC advocacy meeting. Anyone interested in being involved with the process is invited to join us.
While anyone is welcome to join us, I am going to ask those who are interested in the process agree to be actively involved with the process. This process will involve MANY meetings to hash out details, some of which may be held in areas around the state other than Providence. I don’t want to scare anyone away from the process, I just want to make it clear what the expectations will be up front. The sub-group working on the merger will provide regular updates at the monthly advocacy meetings, so those not wishing to participate in a more active way will not be left in the dark.
The US Open Cycle Foundation I offering multiple safe cycling classes over the next two days at InterBike. The classes are being offered on Saturday and Sunday at:
10am & 1pm – adult classes
11am & 2pm – child classes
If you want to learn more aout how to ride safely come an join one of our classes!
The InterBike consumer days are here. Come ride 2010 bikes, watch cyclocross racing, see friends and have fun. The vendors are here, where are you? The weather is going to be great, what could be a better way to spend a Saturday in October?
Join us for a showing of two movies, popcorn, and beer tonight @ 7:00pm at Waste Not Want Not (232 Westminster Street).
Recycle-a-Bike will be providing bike valet services, so you can leave the car at home!
Come join us and have some fun!
| October 10, 2009 | ||
| 8:05 am | ||
| 9:05 am | ||
| 2:15 pm | ||
| 4:15 pm | ||
| 5:15 pm | ||
| October 11, 2009 | ||
| 8:05 am | ||
| 9:05 am | ||
| 2:15 pm | ||
| 4:15 pm | ||
| 5:14 pm |
If you are planning to attend InterBike Outdoor Demo East or related festivities on the consumer days, Saturday (Oct. 10th) and Sunday (Oct. 11th), parking will be at a premium. We suggest you arrive by bike. The InterBike organizers will be providing bike valet services.
To help those that are not familiar with the route, the Providence Bicycle Coalition has arranged for people to lead multiple bike trains, between downtown Providence and Roger Williams Park on both days of the festival.
Outbound Trains (Providence to Roger Williams Park):
Two separate trains will run on each of Saturday and Sunday. Both will depart from the Amtrak train station, pass by Kennedy Plaza (bus hub), and the Hilton (the official hotel of InterBike) on their way to Roger Williams Park. The first train will depart the train station at 8:05am and the second will depart at 9:05am. You can download a pdf of the complete schedule and route.
Return Trains (Roger Williams Park to Providence):
Three separate trains will run on each of Saturday and Sunday. Both will depart from the bike valet area at InterBike. The final stop will be the Amtrak station in Providence. Trains will leave Roger Williams Park at 2:15pm, 4:15pm, and 5:15pm. You can download a pdf of the complete schedule and route.