Ride Guide

RIPTA at a Glance

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) is a quasi-public, independent authority. Established in 1966, RIPTA is authorized to operate public transit services throughout the State of Rhode Island.

Complete Listing of RIPTA Bus Schedules: http://www.ripta.com/schedules/schedules.php

Download the RIPTA System Map: http://www.ripta.com/maps/download_full_image.php/id/1306

Download the RIPTA Providence Detailed Map: http://www.ripta.com/maps/download_full_image.php/id/1307

Intermodal Transportation Partners for RI transit: http://www.ripta.com/programs/links.php?section=10

Facts Worth Knowing:

RIPTA has provided 42 years of statewide service (1966-2008)
Governed by an 8-member appointed Board of Directors
Serves 38 of 39 Rhode Island communities
Operates 7 days a week
Operates 3,300 daily trips on 58 statewide fixed bus routes
Operates ADA Paratransit Service statewide
Administers the statewide RIde program for seniors and people with disabilities
Operates Flex service in 6 Rhode Island communities
Provides Park n’ Ride Service at 27 sites around the State of Rhode Island
Operates 9.3 million fixed route vehicle miles annually
Maintains a fleet of 241 fixed route buses, 135 paratransit vans and 17 Flex vans
Utilizes 2.5 million gallons of fuel per year
Employs 844 people
Offers free statewide service on Air Quality Alert Days
Operates and maintains two facilities in Providence and one in Newport

Fiscal Year 2008 Numbers:
Fixed Route Bus - 24,130,167 users
Providence LINK - 704,301 users
Providence/Newport Ferry - 42,988 users
Flex Services - 375,995 users
RIde Senior/ADA/Disabled Program - 690,432 users
Total Users: 25,296,132

Lets try to DOUBLE the 2008 numbers this year! Save gas, money, and the environment by using RI's public transportation!

RI Bike Paths

For a complete set of area bike maps, click here: http://www.dot.ri.gov/bikeri/areamaps.asp

Most Popular Bike Paths:
East Bay Bike Path: 14.5 miles between India Point Park in Providence and Independence Park in Bristol.
Washington Secondary Bike Path: 10 miles between Garfield St. in Cranston and Whitford St. in Coventry.
Coventry Greenway: 2.7 miles paved between Station St. in Coventry and area of Town
Farm Road in Coventry. 1.6 miles unpaved between Whitford St. and Station St.
Blackstone River Bikeway: 10.3 miles between Valley Falls Heritage Park off Broad Street in Cumberland and the Woonsocket Water Treatment Plant on Manville Hill Road in Woonsocket.
Ten Mile River Greenway: 2 miles between Ferris Ave. in east Providence and Armistice Blvd. in Pawtucket.
South County Bike Path: 5.6 miles between the Kingston RR Station and Rte. 108 in Wakefield.
Fred Lippitt Woonasquatucket River Bikeway: 5.1 miles between Providence Place Mall and Lyman Ave. in Johnston.

Bike Etiquette:

Ride on the right
Always ride with the flow of traffic
Do not ride on the sidewalk
Allow yourself room to maneuver around roadway hazards
Yield to traffic in busier lanes
Always use signals to indicate your intentions to switch lanes
Look behind you to indicate your desire to move and to make sure that you can
Yield to traffic in destination lane
Traffic in your destination lane has the right-of-way
Making eye contact with drivers lets them know that you see them

Directional Positioning
Position yourself in the right-most lane that goes in the direction of your destination
Speed Positioning
Position yourself relative to the speed of other traffic
Yield to faster moving vehicles by staying to the right in the lane
Visibility
Always ride in or near a travel lane; stay visible by riding where drivers are looking
Wear bright clothing at night as well as during the day
Do not pass on the right; motorists are not looking for other vehicles there
Parked Cars
Ride in a straight line, not in and out of parked cars
Beware of cars merging into the roadway from a parallel parking position
Always ride far enough (approx. 4 feet) away from parked cars to avoid hitting a surprise open door
Safety considerations
Bikes are not required to travel in bike lanes when preparing for turns
Avoid bike lanes that you think are poorly designed or unsafe; alert your local government
Intersections
Avoid riding in lanes that position you on the right side of a right turn lane
Always signal as you move out of a bike lane into another traffic lane
Right turns
Avoid riding in lanes that position you on the right side of a right turning motorist
Move out of the right turn lane if you are not turning right
Ride in the rightmost lane that goes in the direction that you are travelling
Left turns
Move out of the bike lane well in advance of the intersection; signal every move
Position yourself in the rightmost left-turning lane
Reposition yourself after executing the turn; remain clear of parked cars