What Grows On in Rhode Island News

Be Alert for Deer in RI Roadways ~ November 2010

The Department of Environmental Management and the Rhode Island State Police are advising motorists to be alert for deer, particularly at dawn and dusk. The deer mating season is currently underway, and will continue through November and much of December. Deer tend to move around more frequently during this time, and November is typically the peak period for road kills.

            With shorter daylight hours, many commuters are on area roads during the dawn and dusk hours, when deer tend to be most active. Many of those deer live and roam in suburban and urban areas. Deer dart out suddenly and often travel together, according to DEM, so motorists should watch for any other deer that may try to cross the road, following the first one. DEM cautions that motorists should slow down while driving at dawn and dusk, use high beams when possible, and always use seat belts, since most injuries occur to drivers who are not belted.

            The best way to prevent a collision is to remain alert while driving.

View & Comment on the RI Gubernatorial Environmental Debate Videos

Let your voice be heard!

The Environment Council of Rhode Island has posted the recent gubernatorial debate on environmental issues in 10 segments on YouTube so Rhode Islanders can see and hear for themselves what the next governor thinks about the local environmental issues that affect all of our lives.

The Providential Gardener encourages Rhode Islanders to view the debate on YouTube and add comments so that the next governor can get a more complete perspective and overview of our environmental problems so that he will act in the state's best interest. Today's Providential Gardener post also links to published summaries of the debate as well as critiques of the candidates' responses.

Rhode Island Bike Walk Week ~ October 3-11, 2010

Roger Williams Park is the place to be for the Providence Cyclo-cross Festival on October 8-10.

• Two days of UCI international racing over October 9th and 10th
• Industry outdoor tradeshow and exposition October 8, 9 &10
• Racers will be in attendance from throughout America, Canada and Europe.
• More than 3,000 spectators, participants and exhibitors are expected each day.

And October 11 is the Rhode Island Rone, a 35-mile bike tour of Providence, Cranston, & East Providence. This is a fundraiser for Bikes Belong Coalition and East Coast Greenway Alliance. For more information contact Chip Baker.

Did you miss the New England Bike-Walk Summit on Thursday, October 7th? And yesterday, if you are involved with a school, did you miss the International Walk to School Day? Let's hope these will be annual events in Rhode Island and make a note to participate next year.

Featured Website: The Rhode Island Coalition for Transportation Choices

The Coalition for Transportation Choices is working to bring a 21st century transportation that benefits all Rhode Islanders and our economy. Individuals and groups can join the coalition. Read more about the coalition's 2010 state policy agenda and check out their reports page.

Providence Hill Climb Challenge ~ October 3, 2010

From US Open Cycling:

Summer is over. School's in. The colleges throughout our beautiful state are bustling and you're back to work.  Time to start storing nuts in preparation for a hard winter ahead? 

Not quite! 

Time, instead, to stay toned just a bit longer before the cold and dark of winter seals us up until March. 

Time for the Inaugural Providence Hill Climb Challenge!

It's just over 1,000 feet long and only 63 feet up, but Providence's Capitol Hill will generate miles of smiles as bicyclists young to old, novice to expert climb it to raise money so U.S. Open Cycling can continue to help people - and the environment - be healthier.  Our mission is to reduce overweight and obesity by helping people integrate bicycling for fitness, fun and transportation into their daily lives.

One solution to America's weight, environment and oil dependence problems is, simply, the bicycle.  But it takes you to pedal it!  We have designed the Providence Hill Climb to be challenging - not daunting - to everyone with a bicycle and a heartbeat.

So please join us, and put your mettle to the pedal, on October 3rd between 11:30 and 3:00pm at the corner of Canal and Smith Streets in Providence. 

Parking is free along Canal and Main Streets on Sunday. The US Open Cycling website has registration and other info. Sign-in will be at the Roger Williams National Memorial opposite the start line.

If you cannot come, please show your support by donating to our cause! 

Thank you!  Your health, America's health, depends on you.  We're here to help!

Providence Core Connector Study Open Houses ~ September 21, 22, 23, 2010

RIPTA & the City of Providence Initiate the Providence Core Connector Study

RIPTA is partnering with the City of Providence to examine the feasibility, cost and benefits of improving transit within the central core of the City, connecting the College Hill, Downtown and Upper South Providence neighborhoods.  The study will examine options for connecting the significant educational, medical, employment and cultural destinations in this corridor with the central bus hub in Kennedy Plaza and rail services at the Providence MBTA/Amtrak station.  
 
Members of the public are encouraged to attend one of three community open houses in September to help plan how transit might improve mobility and strengthen Downtown, Upper South Providence, and College Hill.
  

Electric Vehicles in Rhode Island ~ 2010

Two upcoming opportunities to learn about progress on electric vehicle technology implementation:

• NESEA RI meeting on September 8 ~ Ready RI for Electric Vehicles
• Electric Vehicle Conference on October 15 ~ Come see the future of transportation. Take Charge! Electric Vehicle conference will be an informative gathering of industry, academic, and government groups working together to make electric vehicles a mainstream form of transportation. Check out the conference website to learn more and to register.

Register Now for RI Gubernatorial Debate ~ September 28, 2010

Candidates for Governor to Debate “What’s Next For Rhode Island’s Environment?”

 



September 28 event at Providence College will give Rhode Islanders the chance to hear candidates discuss the state’s most pressing environmental issues

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Environment Council of Rhode Island (ECRI) will host a gubernatorial candidates debate on Tuesday, September 28, 2010 at 7:00 P.M. in ’64 Hall in the Slavin Center at Providence College. The event titled “What’s Next For Rhode Island’s Environment?” will be free and open to the public, but seating is limited so registration will be required by calling (401) 621-8048, e-mailing [email protected] or registering at the ECRI website at www.environmentcouncilri.org. The debate is co-sponsored by the Providence College Political Science Department and the Board of Programmers.

 



RIPTA Public Hearings on Proposed Fare Increase & Service Modifications ~ July 6, 7, 8, 2010

RIPTA to Hold Public Hearings on Proposed Fare Increase and Service Modifications
Steep Budget Deficits Driving Proposal

Hearings Scheduled for July 6th, 7th and 8th in Providence, Warwick, Barrington, Newport and Narragansett
The Board of Directors of the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) voted on May 24, 2010, to hold public hearings on proposed fare increases and service modifications in all five Rhode Island counties on July 6, 2010, July 7, 2010 and July 8, 2010. The Authority announced that the proposed fare hikes and modifications in service statewide are due to a carryover deficit from FY 2010 (which began July 1, 2009) of $1.6 million and a $2.1 million shortfall for FY 2011 that is caused principally by a reduction in revenue from the state gas tax and the high cost of fuel to operate the system.

The proposed fare increases would raise the base fare from $1.75 to $2.00, and impact the cost of RIPTIKs, 10-Ride Passes, 15-Ride Passes, One-Day Passes, 7-Day Passes, Monthly Passes and ADA Fares. If approved by the RIPTA board, the fare increases would take effect September 1, 2010, and the proposed service reductions would take effect in August 2010 when RIPTA implements their regular fall service changes.

Rhode Island Bike to Work Day ~ May 21, 2010

Friday, May 21, is Rhode Island Bike to Work Day, and there's a lot of fun to take part in.

From 6:30 to 9am and 4 to 6:30pm at WW1 Memorial, between Canal and South Main St in downtown Providence (near College St) there are going to be many festive activities.

The event includes speakers including at least two of our gubernatorial candidates, a free breakfast for bikers, vendors, information distribution, and afternoon music by the What Cheer? Brigade.

It is sponsored by the RI Bike Coalition and the US Open Cycling Foundation.

More information, including a map and details on "bike trains" (group rides to downtown) is available at the RI Bike Coalition web-site: www.ribike.org or www.bikeprovidence.org.

Please come and help spread the word.  The event should be fun and it helps promote this most efficient from of travel.