New off-street bike path opens in Central Falls

Until now, the entire Central Falls portion of the Blackstone River Bikeway was on city streets. Now, in the name of safety, cyclists have a new, off-street option.

By: Tim Studebaker

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CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. (WLNE) – A new section of the Blackstone River Bikeway is now open in Central Falls.  Mayor Maria Rivera was among the first few people to set off down the path after a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday.

Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera says, “Having this bike path here is extremely important, especially for our youth.  I want them to be able to have a space where they can come and be safe.”

Before this new section opened, every part of the bikeway through Central Falls was on city streets, forcing bicyclists and drivers to share the roads.

Rivera says, “This is much safer.  I’m sure they’re much happier with this now.”

The new path, off of High Street, gives cyclists and pedestrians a new option to ride or stroll right along the Blackstone River, away from those busy city streets.

Huascar Beato is the founder of Road Runners, a local group for bike riders.  He got hurt while riding his bike, in a crash with a car, 2 months ago.

Beato says, “I can see the car coming out of the parking lot.  I made eye contact with the driver, because he’s facing me.  He’s waving at me to go.  Just as I’m speeding up to allow myself to go by him, he just went.  So I slammed myself against his car.”

He says he’s glad to see this option available now.

Beato says, “I can come and take this path around and be off the streets.  It’s less worry of being hit by a car.”

Some of the Central Falls portion of the bikeway is still on city streets.  The project included new signage for those sections as well as a painted bike lane on Charles Street.

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