Clear the way; cyclists make snow plow to clear bike paths

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Days after Saturday’s snow, pedestrians and cyclists are still facing icy sidewalks and bike paths on their commute.

Providence Streets Coalition Operations Manager Dylan Giles said Geoff Williams and another volunteer from the coalition started clearing the East Bay bike path on their own using an eBike to clear enough snow for cyclists to make it through.

“There are a lot of people who need to rely on the bike network and on our sidewalks being cleared to get to work, to get groceries, and to get to do essential activities,” Giles said.

He said eventually, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management did step in and clear the pathways on the Henderson and Washington Bridges, but their concern is the commitment from the state.

“If our state agencies and if the city are not going to plow the paths properly, then people are going to take into their own hands,” Giles said.

RIDEM told ABC6 News:

“Confirming that DEM’s Division of Parks and Recreation does not plow state bike paths. Although state bike paths are considered part of Rhode Island’s transportation network because they are used for both commuting and recreational purposes (including skiing, snowshoeing, fat tire biking, and winter hiking), DEM cannot clear the entire East Bay Bike Path to facilitate commuting in winter conditions.”

“I have to guess what is going to be happening, ” Cranston resident Daria Phoebe Brashear said. “As far as things that are going to be clear and that’s not just of snow.”

One Providence resident was forced to step over and walk in the road on Gaspee Street when he encountered snow and ice in his path.

“We submit complaints to the city, the city points its fingers to the state, then the state points its fingers back to private property owners,” Victor Martelle said. “There seems to be no cohesion between these entities.”

When ABC6 News asked city officials who is responsible for clearing the portion of the sidewalk on Gaspee Street, an Amtrak spokesperson said it’s up to the city to clear both sides of the sidewalk.

However, city officials said Amtrak is supposed to clear the walkway.