Comments for Bike Providence

Comment on yes, a tax break for bicycle commuters by Eric

Eric — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:16:09 +0000

Shriram, my understanding is that any employer can put this in place. I suggest contacting your HR rep and asking him/her to set this up. If they don’t know what you’re talking about, you can just refer them to this article!

Comment on yes, a tax break for bicycle commuters by Shriram Krishnamurthi

Shriram Krishnamurthi — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:34:37 +0000

Any ideas about local implementation options?

Comment on Jewelry district to Cranston bike path by Alan Barta

Alan Barta — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:05:54 +0000

You are welcome to contact and join me early on Thanksgiving morning, as I ply all the streets you wouldn’t dare ride on during the rest of the year. By 11:00 AM, I’m home, because I’m needed and traffic begins to pick up. Or, I encourage you to do the same from your own tangent.

Comment on three-foot rule in Connecticut by Mark Dieterich

Mark Dieterich — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:45:20 +0000

Eric,

This is exactly what Lori is trying to make happen with Frank’s Law. I’d encourage everyone to get on board and contact their local town/city council or administrators and ask them to support this effort. I’ve done so in Bristol and I know that Brown Cycling is in the process of sending a letter to Providence officials.

Comment on Frank’s Law - City of Warwick Resolution by Mark Dieterich

Mark Dieterich — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 02:24:05 +0000

I was actually unaware that J-walking was illegal.

I don’t think it is illegal. The Rhode Island Ped Laws state:

§ 31-18-5 Crossing other than at crosswalks

Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway

As I read this, pedestrians can cross wherever they want. It merely boils down to whether or not they have the right of way.

There is another issue here at work that everyone seems to continuously skirt around. In my mind, there is a huge difference between a motorist not paying attention or breaking the law and either a cyclist or a pedestrian doing the same. In either case, the cyclist or pedestrian is the one most likely to loose! If a motorist runs a stop light or sign and there happens to be a cyclist going through at the same time, the cyclist looses. If a cyclist runs a stop light or sign and there happens to be a car going through the intersection, the cyclist looses. I’m not advocating that cyclists intentionally break the law here, but I think there does need to be some attention paid to the cost associated with the misdeeds.

Comment on Frank’s Law - City of Warwick Resolution by Cameron

Cameron — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 23:12:49 +0000

I was actually unaware that J-walking was illegal, however I am happy to see this 3-foot law being passed. I hope all cities in the state follow suit. To address the lack of responsibility amongst drivers and officers alike, I submit that a guerrilla ad campaign be put into action to raise awareness of the new law.

Comment on New Bedford Man Sentenced to 2 1/2 Years by Mark Dieterich

Mark Dieterich — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:36:48 +0000

Perhaps I am being a bit lenient, but I just don’t see what good sticking this man in jail does. I honestly have a very hard time wrapping my head around how I would react, should something horrible like this ever happen to one of my kids. I’d like to think that my main goal would be to try and ensure this never happens to another parent. The best I’ve been able to come up with is to keep this guy off the road and make sure he tells other people his story.

Comment on New Bedford Man Sentenced to 2 1/2 Years by Barry

Barry — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:27:56 +0000

Mark, I think this time you are really being too lenient. No jail time for killing someone due to not paying attention while driving sends a message it is not that serious an offense, and anyone can sound contrite when they are about to be sentenced. But maybe 2 1/2 years is excessive.

Comment on yes, a tax break for bicycle commuters by Barry

Barry — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:24:05 +0000

It might be better if he remained a powerful ally in Congress, which is also a long-term proposition instead of a cabinet post that might be just for 4 years.
Its especially important to have friends in the upcoming Congress that will be rewriting the Federal 6-year transportation program.

Comment on yes, a tax break for bicycle commuters by Mark Dieterich

Mark Dieterich — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:49:16 +0000

I had not heard the rumors about Rep. Blumenauer potentially being tapped for Transportation secretary. That would be great! I’m sure it wouldn’t change all of our woes, but it might help give alternative transportation a stronger voice in the government.