INTERESTING
Despite the rain, the weather is slowly warming up here in New England… finally! So what better way to see the state and enjoy the weather than hitting your local bike path? According to the RIDOT website “in the past 20 years RIDOT has built an impressive network of bike paths, offering more then 60 miles of off-road cycling in all regions of the state.”
If you are lucky enough to live close to one of these paths (its Rhode Island people, we all live close to them) it most likely has beautiful scenery and mostly smooth pathways. So, tune up your bike, get out the bike shorts and helmet and go for a spin.
Rhode Island’s many bike paths include the following:
Blackstone River Bikeway
East Bay Bike Path
Fred Lippitt Woonasquatucket River Greenway
Quonset Bike Path
South County Bike Path
Ten Mile River Greenway
Warren Bike Path
Washington Secondary Bike Path
The interactive map on the DOT's website is wonderful, it gives you a great picture of just how many bike paths there are around the state. Bike paths start in Woonsocket and traverse down and out into the state all the way to Barrington and Westerly. Although they are not yet all connected several of the bike paths have on road connection paths which are marked by bikes painted on the road.
The Blackstone River Bikeway
“The state’s second-longest bike path is 16.6 miles” long which is from Woonsocket to Cumberland and several miles on the road in Pawtucket into Providence, which then connects to the Easy Bay Bike Path. The path boasts nine parking locations to vary your ride lengths.
The Easy Bay Bike Path
“Was the first multi-town bike path” in the state. It travels 14.5 miles from Providence to Bristol along the former Providence and Bristol Railroad. Visit one of its nine parking areas to start your ride or attempt the whole expanse from India Point Park to Independence Park.
Fred Lippitt Woonasquatucket River Greenway
“Provides a vital link for biking to work or school for residents in Providence and Johnston” It uses a series of on and off-road paths and in 5 miles you can be from Johnston to Providence. The path is named for Fred Lippitt who was the chairman of the Providence Plan in the early 1990’s. It has two parking locations along the route.
The Quonset/Davisville Bike Path
Starting in North Kingstown the path was “built by RIDOT and the Quonset Development Corporation” It extends 2.5 miles from Route 1 to the North Kingstown nature area at Calf Pasture Point. It has two parking lots which are both in North Kingstown.
The South County Bike Path
“Also known as the William C. O’Neill Bike Path, is the state’s fourth-longest bike path.” It stretches 7.8 miles from the Kingston train station in South Kingstown to Narragansett. Named after the late Senator it was truly built as a “rail to trail” using what used to be the Narragansett Pier Roadway. It is accessible from three parking locations.
The Ten Mile Greenway
Spanning 2 miles starting from Slater Park in Pawtucket into East Providence ending at the Kimberly Ann Rock Athletic Fields. “It is one of the few bike paths in Rhode Island that was not built along a former rail corridor.” With a parking lot at the beginning and end the two-mile ride is a must.
The Warren Bike Path
“One of the state’s newest bikeways.” Opened in June 2010 this quick 1-mile path extends from Warren towards the Massachusetts border and has one accessible location to park at the Warren Recreation Park.
The Washington Secondary Bike Path
“The state’s longest bike path” measures 19 miles from Cranston to Coventry. Despite its official name it is many times referred to by the local segments which it was named as it was being built. With twelve parking lots its accessibility and length are equally matched for a rider of any type.
Each bike path/greenway vary in difficulty so be sure to do your research. For first time and beginning riders, be sure to play it safe and gradually increase your riding mileage in small increments. It’s also important to have proper equipment and repair tools. Make sure to familiarize yourself with state and federal safety rules. Always think, safety first. As stated in Title 31 Motor and other Vehicles Chapter 31-19 Section 31-19-2.1 Operation of Bicycles; “Helmets are required on bicycle operators, bicycle passengers, skateboarders, roller-skaters, inline skaters and scooter riders ages fifteen and younger”
While on any of the state’s bike paths, contact the Department of Environmental Management, Division of Parks and Recreation at (401) 667-6200 to report graffiti, trash or other maintenance problems.
Visit the RIDOT website for more information on each bike path, directions to parking lots, Bicycle and bike lane laws, closures and construction, bike shop information and more.
