Progress on the ‘path’ to a safe commute

It was an “absolutely gorgeous” day for a ride, with the sun out and the breeze blowing, as about 160 cyclists made their way through Dartmouth for 35 miles as a part of the South Coast Bikeway Alliance’s sixth annual Pedal for the Path. 

The ride is held annually to raise awareness and also funds to complete the connection of 13 miles of pathways from Fall River to New Bedford, which would be known as the Northern Scenic Greenway.

Beginning at Running Brook Vineyard and Winery on Old Fall River Road, riders started their journey hitting Route 6 early on to avoid traffic and ensure safety, according to Sandra Medeiros, alliance president.

“This is why we are here today,” Medeiros said as she warned riders of traffic. Despite a study taking place to identify and analyze biking options on Route 6 from Westport to Cross Road in 2022, no action, to her knowledge, has been taken to address its findings. 

Alanna Parsons, of New Bedford, who was directing riders at Davoll’s General Store, said earlier in the day she was helping at Route 6 as riders attempted to make their way through traffic. Due to a right-turn-only lane, the bike path is wedged between traffic lanes. 

Parsons said she had to avoid using her orange flags to show riders where to go because it would’ve looked too much like she was directing traffic. 

Medeiros added some people were too nervous to begin there and opted to start somewhere less congested. 

“They don’t feel comfortable,” she said, “and that's what we're trying to do. We're trying to advocate for safe, comfortable accommodations for cyclists throughout our cities and towns.”

The alliance’s advocacy for improvements to the intersection and along Route 6 for cyclists come as a part of their ultimate goal of forming a 50-mile continuous system of bike paths, multi-use paths and bike lanes that would connect Rhode Island to Cape Cod.

While local grants are the main funding source for the Northern Scenic Greenway, sponsors, community preservation funds and donations through Sunday’s ride will help provide matching funds for grants, according to Medeiros.

There’s a population of South Coast residents who rely on cycling to commute from place to place, especially work, and many of those individuals have been involved with this effort. 

Parsons, who works as an architect in Providence, said she also works in Martha’s Vineyard and finds it more convenient to cycle to the ferry and bring her bike to the island. 

“These kinds of rides are meaningful because it reminds people that you have a voice to remind your community that bikers are an important part of the roadway and that we should have dedicated safe space to ride,” she said. 

Nathan Hall, of Newport, Rhode Island, said he is also a commuter cyclist as he stopped by Davoll’s for some refreshments. 

Referring to himself as a “local bike enthusiast,” Hall was enjoying the ride, but said he and a group of cyclists did have to take a detour when the Padanaram Bridge got stuck open for half an hour.

“It's a great cause because the more protected bike paths we have, the more people of all ages can get into biking safely,” he said.

Medeiros said, “The ride was a huge success. Everyone loved it. The day couldn't have been more beautiful.”