Projo Fitness Blog

We here at the Projo Fitness Blog like to write about Rhode Island's bike paths. With locations throughout the state, they are a great asset to our communities and an awesome way to exercise for free.

The newly opened Quonset Shared Use Bike Path near my house in North Kingstown is my favorite place to ride my bike these days, and because it's close-to-home, I've been on it several times a week.

It's during these trips that I've made the following observations about bike paths in general, and North Kingstown's newest recreation facility in particular:

1. Mounted police patrols -- especially on bikes -- rock. North Kingstown has at least two officers I've seen who haul out their patrol bikes and take a spin on the path during the busy weekend hours to make sure all's well. Riding my bike at dusk one night, I appreciated the added safety of their presence.

2. People don't follow the correct lanes for walking versus biking. On July 12, the projoCars section published an "Ask the DOT" column entitled "Ignorant Walkers" -- where the writer laments this same problem.

RIDOT spokeswoman Dana Nolffe wrote in response: "All Rhode Island bike paths follow the same guidelines regarding bicycle and pedestrian interactions. Bicyclists, skateboarders and other travelers on wheels should ride on the right side and pedestrians should walk on the left." It's something I want printed on fliers I can handle out as I slalom past those who don't know the rules.

3. I don't get roller blading. Sure, it's good exercise and the people who do it on my bike path are totally dedicated to the activity, but I far prefer gliding on ice skates to scraping those little wheels on pavement.

4. There's a bike for everyone. I've seen tandems, mountain bikes, street bikes, racers, recumbent bikes and even those modified for handicapped riders. There really is no excuse not to go out there and ride.

See you on the bike path!

 Tags  bike path bikes North KIngstown rollerblading walking

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