Controversial Bike Lane Installed on Hope Street

Controversial Bike Lane Installed on Hope Street

On Friday night, the new bike lanes were installed in front of the Hope Street business district.

The plan has been supported by Jorge Elorza’s administration and bike advocates and opposed by many small business owners in the area.

The temporary project starts Saturday and lasts through the following weekend.

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On Thursday, a small business on Hope Street on the East Side of Providence was vandalized — due to its opposition to bike lanes in the commercial area. 

Bubbie’s Market and Deli, which first opened in 2021 and features a Shabbat and Rosh Hashanah menu, made the assertion on Thursday.

“Our store was mildly vandalized yesterday because of a sign we have on our door.  Not a political sign supporting any party's agenda...not a rainbow or anything about abortion....A sign stating our view on the city's agenda to add a bike lane on our street.  A street that lacks parking as it is and a proposal to remove 130 parking spaces in a mixed use business district,” said the store. 

In August, small business owners wrote to Elorza, stating, “We, Hope Street Merchants, respectfully request that the upcoming Urban Trail trial scheduled for October 1-8, 2022 be called off. Still reeling from COVID losses, we fear an unnecessary interruption of business in the short-term, and have serious concerns about the project in general. We are strongly opposed to both the upcoming trial and the plan itself.”