Letter: Trying to inject reality into bike path planning

Posted 2/12/21

In 2019, the same year that Forbes magazine listed Rhode Island as the nation’s worst state in which to do business, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation  unveiled its Bike …

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Letter: Trying to inject reality into bike path planning

Posted

In 2019, the same year that Forbes magazine listed Rhode Island as the nation’s worst state in which to do business, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation  unveiled its Bike Mobility Plan — one goal of which is to make Rhode Island the “most bike friendly state in New England.”

A necessary link, apparently, in this dubious undertaking is the proposed bike path along the west side of Ferry Road and out to the bridge. It is to be “multi-use“ for walkers and all wheeled vehicles — though, perhaps, skateboarders would be stopped at the bridge.

Contrary to the insinuation in last week’s editorial that some Ferry Road residents are a gaggle of NIMBYS for opposing this undertaking, our contention is that Ferry Road is already too narrow and congested, and to reduce its west side even more with the imposition of an 8- to 10-foot bike path becomes a safety issue.

More accessible to all would be a “walking” path along Ferry where questions of “right of way” as to driveways and traffic would not be considered.

It appears, however, that grant money is to be allocated only for the relatively small number of bikers who now happily navigate the present shoulder of Ferry Road to and from the University. Already, bikers can now traverse the bridge at will, to the fear and consternation of motorists. Into this fluffy view of connectedness, therefore, many residents are trying to  inject a dose of reality.

Virginia Yanyar
Bristol

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