May 8, 2017
Press Releases
In recognition of National Bike Month, the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA)’s Commuter Resource RI (CRRI) team is launching its first “Bike to Work Week,” beginning on Saturday, May 13, and ending on National Bike to Work Day, Friday, May 19, 2017. The week will include a free bike safety workshop and the CRRI team will be at key commuter locations to encourage people to “rethink their ride” by incorporating biking into their workday travel.
The week kicks off with a free “Rethink Your Ride” bike workshop on Saturday, May 13, from 8am to 2pm at NBX Bikes, 414 Warren Avenue, East Providence. This interactive workshop will be great for beginners as well as seasoned riders looking for a refresher on safety tips. NBX will provide everything needed for this hands-on workshop so participants do not have to bring their own bikes. If people do want to bring their own bikes, NBX staff will examine them for any safety issues. RIPTA’s Commuter Resource team will be on site to answer questions and help participants plan their routes, particular if they need to integrate riding the bus. The workshop rain date is Saturday, May 20.
Like other public transit agencies, RIPTA is committed to supporting different modes of travel that help reduce the number of single occupancy vehicles on the road. Also, biking and taking the bus make a great combination, with many people choosing to pedal part of their way to work and then use public transportation to complete the trip. All of RIPTA’s fixed-route buses are equipped with easy-to-use bike racks. “This week will give us a chance to highlight the benefits of bike commuting and also show that RIPTA can help people with their trips,” said Barbara Polichetti, Director of Public Affairs for RIPTA. “For example, people who live in more rural areas might enjoy a ride to their bus stop and then let RIPTA take them into the city.”
“Bike to Work Week will be a fun and engaging way to encourage commuters to use alternatives instead of driving alone to work, “Polichetti said. Choosing to ride a bicycle to work offers many benefits including saving money, boosting morale and health, reducing traffic congestion and decreasing harmful automobile emissions.
The CRRI team will host information stations — featuring raffles and local refreshments — between 6:30 am and 9:30 am at the following locations throughout the week.
Bike to Work Week Commuter Resource RI Outreach Schedule: 6:30am-9:30am
Monday, May 15: Base of the George Washington Bridge, East Providence
Tuesday, May 16: Jewelry District – intersection of Ship & Richmond Streets, Providence
Wednesday, May 17: Memorial Park – South Main Street, Providence
Thursday, May 18: Amtrak Station Downtown Side, Providence
On National Bike to Work Day, Friday, May 19, RIPTA will have representatives at special activities planned for Burnside Park in Providence, Eisenhower Park at Washington Square in Newport and at the South Kingstown Town Guild, 325 Columbia Street in Wakefield. RIPTA’s Bike to Work Week activities have been made possible by generous community sponsors including NBX, Whole Foods, Devine City Cycle, Café La France, and the RI Bike Coalition.
RIPTA’s Commuter Resource RI team works year round to educate the public about riding RIPTA and other modes of public transportation while also supporting alternatives such as carpools, vanpools, and biking.
For more information on Bike to Work Week, please visit trytransitRI.com.