Community Corner

Bike-Friendly — Or a Bad Idea?

There are new bike markings on a few Newport roads — what do you think?

There's something new on Newport streets these days — white silhouettes of bikes with directional arrows have been painted on Spring and Thames Streets.

And Newport Patch readers have been voicing their opinions on the new additions.

Within one day of a photo being posted on the Newport Patch Facebook page, readers added almost 50 comments — both good and bad — about the bike markings.

Here are a few of the reactions:

Becky Peckham because bikers downtown dont already think they own the road...seriously, im tired of it.

Jani Brooks For pete's sake. This is a colonial town with narrow streets, let's be reasonable!

Shawn O'Domski People on bicycles don't belong in the middle of the road

Stephanie Price Hoffman Ridiculous! Just like changing the lanes on Coddington Hwy. It is a waste of money. The streets on this island need to be widened and turning lanes on the main roads.

Michael J Homer There there to show the direction of travel not to have the right away or to be in the middle of the road but do you really think people will not go against traffic on Spring Street

Jack Corey They just like to use the new paint machine so they can justify the big expense. This is amost as stupid as one lane at the beach or one lane on Coddington. Almost.

Matt Sanderson Share the lane, and stop reacting just because you prefer to drive 0.3 miles down the street rather than bike or walk.

Andrea Phelps People that live here year round have jobs to get to Mr. Sanderson biking is not a work day option. Bikers should obey the rules and quit swirving in and out of cars and expect everyone to know what they are doing. Yes, share the roads but do it responsibly and safely. We have had enough accidents in Newport.

Kyle Reynolds Bikers are AWFUL! They want the same respect as drivers but yet NEVER stop at stop signs or obey the rules of the road! Waste of paint if you ask me.....n how much did that "bike marking" cost taxpayers? $3k!?! BOOOOOO! ;(

Peter Graeber Cyclists do need to ride responsibly, but, most of the time cars will hold up cyclists on Thames and Spring, not the other way around. As before when they were put on Memorial "sharrows" are merely a reminder for ALL road users of the rules of the road, they don't actually change anything. If everyone (cyclists, pedestrians, motorists) just followed the rules of the road we wouldn't have such tension.

Audrey Stanwood-Ford If everyone did their part to be responsible travelers, would there be a need for obnoxious signage? I occasionally bike but the roads are not safe! My son had been run off the road on lower Thames riding in the correct direction! Bikers also have to follow the rules. Just recently a biker was hit on Spring and Dearborn because he was traveling in the wrong direction! He didn't wait after he was hit...he got up and continued on his way. Still wrong direction!

Mike Kowalczyk We aren't riding like jerks-- we are just enjoying the commute, unlike the unhappy people in their gas guzzlers

Tania Pan The markings don't bother me either way... Please make back the money it cost by ticketing the bad cyclists that ride the wrong way down Thames and Spring or does someone have to get killed first?

Ashley Boulais wow!!! reading all of these negative comments really makes me sad. why can't we all just get along? seriously, people. bikes are good for the environment. did you all forget that??? and also, if you are too rude and selfish to share the road with a BICYCLE, then you honestly should not be allowed to drive a car. how can you all be so upset about PAINT on the road, like seriously... take a chill pill. i love how people are so bored with their own lives that they take it out on good people actually trying to make a difference in this filthy disgusting world. i witnessed a girl almost get hit by a truck (driver not paying attention) yesterday on a bike and he got mad at HER! how is that even possible?

Matthew Gray Both cyclists and cars have a right to use the roads. These marks are here for bikers safety as well as to help reinforce the rules of the road for cyclists and motorists alike. People should be driving slow on both of these streets anyway, especially during the summer.


Tell Us: What do you think of the new bike markings along Newport streets? Are they necessary — or another potential cause of problems?

Have your say in the comments section below.


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