Rhode Island designated High Street as one of the state’s Scenic Roadways. The Town’s 2016 Comprehensive Plan vision was to retain Bristol’s small town character and natural beauty. I would like to keep it that way.

The East Bay bike path is 14.5 miles and according to the Rhode Island DOT used by more than 1 million people annually. Bikers can already use the downtown streets.

The current East Bay bike path has a buffer on either side so it does not impede or affect homeowners. This is not the case with downtown homeowners and would create problems for driveway navigation. Often a bike is behind you before you can react, creating safety concerns and liabilities.

I see no good reason to extend the bike routes to Mount Hope Bridge. It is a route to nowhere.

Bikers already have access to the shops and restaurants on Thames, State and Hope streets.  The streets in the proposed extension are lined primarily with residential homes in a peaceful, historic neighborhood. Why would we want to change that? We don’t want downtown to become like Newport where the local residents cannot fully enjoy their property and tourists take over.

Painting road markings on High Street would detract from the beauty of the street, especially the red, white and blue centerline for the parade route. Aesthetically it would be displeasing, changing the historical character of the roadway, which is what we are trying to preserve, is it not? Our uniqueness is why people want to visit. Implementing such a plan would interfere with homeowner driveway use and create safety concerns.

I agree with installing sidewalks and curbing along Ferry Road for walkers and runners, which would make it safer for pedestrians and convenient for college students and drivers. I do not think implementing a bike lane on Ferry Road would be advantageous to homeowners and Blithewold Mansion & Gardens.

A better plan is to use Metacom Avenue –starting at the University, leading into the downtown business areas, (Bayview Wood/State/Thames) and rejoining the current path  at Independence Park, avoiding residential historical areas.

Metacom Avenue is a state road, so let the state make concessions — lower the current speed, use road markings, signage, jersey barriers etc. … and not interfere with the historical character and tranquility of High, Hope, Constitution and Church streets and Ferry Road.

I have spoken to homeowners on Constitution and Church streets. They are not interested in increasing the usage of bikes/cars on the roadways. When people using the Bristol ferry and bikers from the East Bay bike path start coming into town, parking is already an issue.  They don’t want more traffic in the neighborhood.

On paper, the bike connector plans look great, but users of the East Bay Bike Path do not all live and work in the areas being discussed. It’s not in your front yard.

I would urge all homeowners to speak at the Town Council meeting on Feb. 17. Voice your concerns before it’s too late.

Gail A. Barker
Bristol