Battle Over Bike Path Escalates — Council Blocks Smiley, Cost to Remove Is Estimated at $750K

Battle Over Bike Path Escalates — Council Blocks Smiley, Cost to Remove Is Estimated at $750K

The ongoing battle over the future of the South Water bike path hit a higher level.

On Thursday night, the Providence City Council passed an ordinance which it believes blocks Mayor Brett Smiley from removing the lane unilaterally.

Going forward, according to the new ordinance, “Proposals for the removal, alteration or installation of bicycle lanes shall be submitted to the Green and Complete Streets Advisory Council by the sponsoring department for review.”

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Then, that advisory council "shall submit the recommendations to the City Council for approval."

De facto, the Mayor is out of the bike path business, according to the new ordinance.

“Removing the South Water Street bike lane will undermine the quality of life for our residents and jeopardize their safety,” said Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1), who introduced the legislation. “If we bring back two lanes of traffic, we’re encouraging the return of drag racing, peel-outs, and loud, obnoxious behavior, not to mention the $750,000 in taxpayer money to tear up the street.”

The ordinance was referred to the Committee on Ordinances.   

Earlier in April, Dylan Giles, an organizer for Providence Streets Coalition, criticized the Smiley plan to remove the bike path.

"In the absence of both data and community support for the planned removal of South Water Street Urban Trail in favor of multiple lanes of car travel, we continue to stand in opposition to the removal of infrastructure that has demonstrably increased safety for bicycle riders and pedestrians, and indeed all road users," said Giles.

"While we believe Mayor Smiley’s plan remains misguided, we are excited that the proposal will finally get the public vetting it deserves, in the light of day, following the legally required avenues of presentation, review, public engagement, and recommendation by the Green and Complete Streets Advisory Council," said Giles.

Next up is whether Smiley will veto the ordinance or ignore the ordinance and claim that it encumbers mayoral powers.