To the editor:

I have just learned that the Round Pond Association has decided that, starting from June 15, cyclists will be banned from using Round Pond Road. The only exception will be Round Pond residents and renters, plus people in the adjacent Plat 9 area of Sakonnet Point who will be issued cyclist passes. Other cyclists will be excluded by the guard stationed at the entrance.

I understand that in the Round Pond Association there has been much discussion about bicycles in recent years. There are concerns over safety and also over the parked bicycles obstructing the road. But, for a few in the association, this may be part of a broader agenda to limit access. A sign which used to welcome “walkers and runners” was removed. One Round Pond resident who is closely linked to the cyclist ban told me the other day that “We will not be restricting walkers at this point” (my emphasis added).

Among the Round Pond residents there are those who, to their great credit, opposed the ban on cyclists but were out-voted. There are also those who want to restrict access but do it in a more civilized and equitable fashion. One solution mentioned to me is to limit the number of cyclists allowed access at any one time. A red disk permitting access could be handed out and then handed back when the cyclist leaves. Sounds reasonable to me, assuming the number is set at a reasonable level.

As it stands, the new measure on cyclists is mean-spirited and uncalled for. Except for a small group of people, the pleasure of riding down that road will be taken away from us. The association will meet again in July. I strongly urge the association and its Bike Committee to reverse or modify the decision. I also urge Round Pond residents and those in Plat 9 not to sign up for the passes and to send the offer back with a strong message that they will in no way endorse or be party to this new and unreasonable restriction on access to that wonderful place.

Paul G. Clifford

Little Compton