The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced today that an updated version of its popular Guide to Cycling in the Ocean State map is now available. Copies of the map can be requested online at www.dot.ri.gov/bikeri or by calling (401) 222-4203 Ext. 4033. Electronic versions of the maps can also be downloaded from the website.
The Narragansett Bay Wheelmen Bicycle Club (NBW) donated $10,000 to this effort, representing the entire cost of printing 37,500 copies of the new map. The NBW is the largest cycling club in Rhode Island with 900 members.
“The Department is extremely grateful for the generosity of the Narragansett Bay Wheelmen,” RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis said. “Without their assistance, RIDOT would not have had the funds to produce printed copies of the map.”
The map shows the location, along with parking lots, for Rhode Island’s six major bike paths: the Blackstone River Bikeway, the Fred Lippitt Woonasquatucket River Greenway, the East Bay Bike Path, the Ten Mile River Greenway, the Washington Secondary Bike Path, and the William C. O’Neill (South County) Bike Path. Rhode Island has more than 50 miles of off-road bike paths open and has more than 90 miles of signed bike routes.
The reverse side of the map includes detailed maps and information for each bike path. The map also indicates roads that are suitable for on-road bike riding.
“The Narragansett Bay Wheelmen are very pleased to be able to assist the Rhode Island Department of Transportation with the publication of its 2009 Rhode Island bicycle map,” said Ray Foulkes, NBW Past President and member of the organization’s Board of Directors.
Founded in 1879 as the Providence Wheelmen, the NBW is an all-volunteer, community organization dedicated to the support and encouragement of recreational cycling. Full details of its weekly rides and events are available at www.nbwclub.org.
Contact: Charles St. Martin 401-222-1362 x4007