Greater City Providence

Bike Providence Live

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In anticipation of Bike to Work Day 2009 (May 15th!) the Providence Bicycle Coalition has created a series of “Bike Trains” so you don’t have to go it alone. Commuting by bike, no matter how long the distance, can be a bit intimidating the first time on RI roads. By joining these bike trains, you’ll be biking with other folks headed towards the city.

For those who may be unfamiliar with the term, a bike train is one or more experienced bicycle commuters who follow a published route with predetermined meeting points. Other cyclists can hop on and off the train at any point. It’s a great way for new cyclists to give bicycle commuting a try in a safe environment!

To take this one step further, the East Bay Bike Train has added LIVE UPDATING via GPS! This means that you can check the status of the group to see not only where they are, but also make sure you have time for one more cup haven’t missed the group.

This begs the question, why doesn’t RIPTA have this?

Seriously, how great would it be if all the bus shelters had, at minimum, the time until the next bus?

Maybe we could start a gorilla version and just request everyone with an iPhone start updating a common map and publishing route updates.

Matthew Coolidge

Matthew Coolidge is co-founder of Greater City Providence. In addition to the occasional blog post about cycling, sailing, or urban rant, he works as an Electrical Engineer, often traveling to major cities and ports around the globe, or simply Warwick.

4 comments

  • I was in CT for clients and heard that Bridgeport – BRIDGEPORT – is implementing a system to call/text(?) your cell 10 minutes before your bus arrives. BRIDGEPORT!

    re: common map/mashup – yesyesyes.

    I may have to go up to Woonsocket for 6:30 on Friday just to be on this train.

  • That’s a great start as long as it’s not the bus drivers who is using his iPhone.

    It has become increasingly common to see some of our bus drivers engaged in phone conversation while operating buses. Not only is the practice a discourtesy to passengers but also a serious danger to other road users.

    Irrespective of the nature or urgency of the call our lives are placed at risk with this practice. Their Supervisors should insist that such behaviour desist and not wait until an accident occurs.

    I can recall in the past one of our drivers would page passengers, if they engaged in prolonged cell phone conversation. I wished there were more like him.

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