2024 Candidates Respond with their Bike/Walk Visions

On September 22, 2024, the following message was sent from Bike Newport to all candidates for City/Town Council, RI House, and RI Senate representing Newport, Middletown, and Portsmouth. Thanks to all of the candidates who replied for taking the time to share their vision. Their responses appear below the question, in alphabetical order by positions. All responses are presented as received, unedited.

CANDIDATE RESPONSES

Newport City Council Middletown Town Council Portsmouth Town Council
RI House RI Senate

NEWPORT CITY COUNCIL

Mark Aramli, At-Large

David Carlin, 3rd Ward

Lynn Ceglie, 2nd Ward

Hugo Deascentis, 1st Ward (9/24/24)
I will respond to both questions simultaneously:
My philosophy and vision are simple. My philosophy is based on the fact that one of Newport’s biggest assets is that while yes, it is a city, it is in fact small and manageable. Newport was laid out in colonial times when rapid transit did not exist and therefore needed to be accessible on foot to its many local destinations.

In that era the “city” ended around the vicinity of Equality Park with land to the North toward Middletown considered to be “country”. In fact, Newport Hospital was located where it is today because it was considered, in its day, to be a “quiet place in the country”.

My vision is a simple one where every individual is able to comfortably and safely get from any point A to any point B under their own power (this includes by bicycle, on foot, and even while pushing a stroller).

Steps to take include the elimination of “barriers”. This may include both simple physical barriers but also those conditions that may in fact create a barrier due to high vehicular traffic or unsafe traffic conditions for pedestrians and cyclists.

Continue to promote Newport’s pedestrian advantages with clean sidewalks as well as clean streets.

To relate some of my own experience, as a cyclist, I find it difficult to cycle from Newport to destinations off island. Traveling now over the new Sakonnet bridge is a vast improvement and should be a model for all other bridges. However, cross island roads continue to be indirect and unsafe. More work is needed here. My vision for the future includes safe travel to other parts of Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts via bicycle highways! (yes, I am serious on this). However, most important, is that ALL future projects be reviewed with pedestrian and human powered vehicles in mind.

Matthew Grant, 2nd Ward (9/23/24)
As the number of people biking and walking in Newport continues to grow, my vision is for a city where everyone—regardless of age, ability, or experience—feels safe and encouraged to choose walking or biking as a viable transportation option. Newport is at a critical moment: with increasing traffic congestion, the pressing need to reduce carbon emissions, and the growing desire for more sustainable transportation, we have a unique opportunity to transform how we move around our city.

My vision is for Newport to lead in multi-modal transportation by fully embracing the City’s Transportation Master Plan. This plan prioritizes infrastructure improvements that make walking and biking safer and more accessible for residents and visitors. I see a future where walking and biking aren’t just recreational activities but integral parts of our everyday transportation network. By investing in pedestrian and bike-friendly infrastructure, we can reduce our dependence on cars, ease traffic congestion, improve air quality, and make our streets safer and more welcoming for everyone.

To achieve this vision, I will focus on several key actions:

1. Expand and Enhance Infrastructure: The first step is to ensure that we have the physical infrastructure to support safe biking and walking. This means accelerating the implementation of the Keep Newport Moving initiative by building more protected bike lanes, expanding sidewalks, and creating safer intersections with improved signage and signals. These upgrades will make biking and walking safer and more attractive, particularly for those who currently feel uncomfortable using these modes of transportation.
2. Traffic-Calming Measures: To reduce the risk for pedestrians and cyclists, I will advocate for traffic-calming measures in high-traffic areas, especially near schools and parks. This includes lowering speed limits, installing raised crosswalks, and designing streets that prioritize people over cars. Slowing down vehicle traffic will make our streets more welcoming and safe for everyone who walks or bikes.
3. Connect the Network: Newport needs a fully connected system that allows residents and visitors to walk or bike anywhere in the city with ease. I will work to ensure that we link our existing trails, paths, and bike lanes into a seamless network that connects neighborhoods, schools, parks, and business districts. This will encourage more people to use biking and walking for short-distance travel, reducing congestion and pollution from cars.
4. Promote Accessibility and Safety Education: To encourage more people to walk and bike, we must ensure that they feel safe. I will support public education campaigns that promote bike safety, share-the-road etiquette, and the benefits of active transportation. This will not only help more people feel comfortable biking and walking but also create a culture of respect between cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers.
5. Sustainable Transportation Policies: In line with our broader climate goals, I will champion policies that promote biking and walking as part of Newport’s strategy to reduce carbon emissions. By making short-distance trips by bike or foot more appealing, we can cut down on car use and contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment. Additionally, I will work to secure state and federal funding for transportation projects that align with these goals, ensuring Newport continues to move toward a more sustainable future.

By focusing on these strategies, we can make Newport a model for how cities can reduce traffic congestion, lower carbon emissions, and provide more transportation choices for residents. My commitment is to ensure that our infrastructure and policies meet the growing demand for safe, accessible walking and biking options, helping to create a healthier, more sustainable Newport for future generations.

Charlie Holder, At Large

Xaykham Khamsyvoravong, At-Large

Ian Martins, At Large

Jeanne-Marie Napolitano, At-Large

Charles Pattavina, 1st Ward

Ellen Pinnock, 1st Ward (10/2/24)
As a candidate for Newport City Council my vision for biking and walking in our community centers on promoting equity, safety, and accessibility for all residents. I envision a community where biking and walking are not only viable transportation options but are also encouraged as healthy, environmentally friendly modes of travel. To achieve this vision, I will take the following steps:

1. Infrastructure Improvement: by advocating for the development and maintenance of safe, well-marked bike lanes and pedestrian pathways that connect neighborhoods, schools, parks, and businesses 

2. Community Engagement: I believe nothing that is better for our community can be done without community. Our residents should be involved with  planning processes to ensure that biking and walking infrastructure meets the needs of diverse populations, especially marginalized communities.

3. Education and Outreach: We need to Implement educational programs that promote the benefits of biking and walking, as well as safe practices for all users, including drivers.

4. Policy Advocacy: Work with local government to prioritize biking and walking in transportation planning and funding decisions, ensuring equity is a key consideration.

Stephanie Smyth, At-Large

Richard Spinney, At-Large

John Walker, At-Large

MIDDLETOWN TOWN COUNCIL

Leonidas Amarant

Peter Connerton

Lawrence Frank

Bryan Hoffman

Christopher Logan (10/2/24)
What is your vision for biking and walking in our community? Biking and walking is just one component of ensuring that all modes of transportation are addressed across Middletown and the surrounding communities.  Ensuring accessibility and safety is a critical component to meet the continued needs for transportation whether it is walking, biking, driving, people taking public transit or ensuring we have options for individuals using mobility devices such as wheelchairs or walkers (just to name a few).  We also need to account for resilient infrastructure to support these modes of transportation in addition to addressing the sensitivity of the surrounding area where other options should be explored (in some cases it might not make sense to enable full access for biking and walking in specific areas if we cannot ensure safety, accessibility, owners right or environmental concerns).       

What steps will you take to achieve your vision? As a community we must adopt a green and complete streets policy/ordinance to begin addressing these issues and make all roads safe and accessible (where appropriate).  A green and complete streets policy/ordinance will help guide Middletown in how we design and implement enhancements to safety, accessibility, environmental, economic and social benefits for all commuters.  I will champion this policy/ordinance so we can begin to have the discussion about making Middletown safer and accessible for everyone, regardless of their mode of transportation.      

Charles Roberts

Paul Rodrigues

Dennis Turano

Antone Viveiros

Barbara Vonvilla

Thomas Welch III (10/2/24)
There are plenty of people in our collective communities that want biking and walking as transportation alternatives as well a recreational option.  While the network of trails and bike friendly road infrastructure continues to slowly expand, the difficulty lies in connectivity.  I sit on Middletown’s Open Space and Fields Committee as well as our Roads and Utility Committee which makes a point of looking at ways to incorporate multiuse paths and adding bike lanes every time a project design is reviewed.  

The island communities have been well established and with that comes little opportunity to construct new roads.  We must then attempt to modify existing infrastructure whenever possible.  I attended a field trip to Cambridge Mass, hosted by Bike Newport this summer .  We toured (via bicycle and foot) newly constructed bike and pedestrian spaces with specific signaling that showcased what is possible.  I will participate in island wide planning to maximize the effect of dollars spent and to efficiently link our communities for bicycle and pedestrian accessibility.

PORTSMOUTH TOWN COUNCIL

Sondra Blank

David Fiorillo (10/3/24)
What is your vision for biking and walking in our community? If elected to the Town Council, I will make outdoor recreation one of my top priorities. 

My vision for biking and walking in our community is to create a safe, accessible, and supportive environment that encourages active transportation. I believe that promoting biking and walking can lead to healthier lifestyles, reduce traffic congestion on East & West Main Road, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Speaking as a parent with two children who are at the age when they want to go bike riding with their friends. I worry each time they leave our house knowing there is no safe way for them to get to other parts of Portsmouth without having to travel on East or West Main road. I will be a strong supporter of working to increase our walking and bicycle paths in Portsmouth and working with organizations like Bike Newport and ATL (Aquidneck Island Land Trust). 

Ultimately, my vision is for our community to be a place where biking and walking are not just viable options but preferred choices for transportation. By fostering a culture of active living, we can enhance the quality of life for all residents, promote environmental sustainability, and build a more connected community.

What steps will you take to achieve your vision?
Infrastructure Development: Working closely with the RIDOT, I envision dedicated bike lanes and expanded sidewalks on East & West Main Road. This would not only improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians but also encourage more people to choose these modes of transport. We should prioritize creating connections between key destinations, such as schools, parks, public transport hubs, and commercial areas.

Safety Initiatives: Implementing traffic calming measures, such as speed bumps on neighborhood roads with heavy traffic, better crosswalks, and improved signage, can make our streets safer for people who bike and walk.

Community Engagement: It’s crucial to involve the community in discussions about biking and walking. Regular surveys, public meetings, and engagement with local biking and walking groups can provide valuable insights into residents’ needs and preferences.

Education and Events: Promoting educational programs on bike safety, maintenance workshops, and community events like bike-to-work days can nurture a culture that values active transportation. We can also organize family-friendly walking and biking events to showcase our infrastructure and encourage participation.

Accessibility for All: It’s important to ensure that our biking and walking paths are accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. This means incorporating universal design principles into our infrastructure plans.

Timothy Grissett

Charles Levesque (9/22/24)
I was in favor of the ‘road diet’ plan. I have always supported having Lanes dedicated to bicycles. You might remember that I work very closely with the former Transportation Director Akner that new construction would have biking areas on paved road. Regrettably, I don’t really know the way forward. As you know the Portsmouth Council seem to have no enthusiasm for addressing the larger problem. And Daniela Abbott has left the council and she was the strongest advocate.

Tasha MacGibbon

Juan Payero (9/23/24)
My vision comes from being a parent and wanting my, and all, children to know and have their whole community as a safe and open place to play and learn.  This also includes knowing they can ride their bike and walk to their friend’s house without harm due to the lack of infrastructure that ensures their safety.  We should have sidewalks and bike lanes along all major thoroughfares and significant points of interest across the Town.  Additionally, we should invest in an island-wide bike path.  This would allow residents to traverse the island and serve as an economic driver, with more visitors coming to enjoy the path.  

The most transited roads in Portsmouth are also State Highways, so we must work with our General Assembly delegation to develop legislation and funding to improve the conditions of our streets and enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists. If we use some of the best practices, like the examples from Ride Island’s experiences in Cambridge, we could change the culture of transit on the island.  Having safe streets in Portsmouth is vital to those wishing to share the roads and our economic growth.  

Mark Ryan (9/27/24)
As a primary care physician, I know that exercise reduces the risk of diabetes, hypertension, obesity and atherosclerosis.  I am, therefore, a strong supporter of increasing our walking and bicycle paths in Portsmouth.  Many of my patients have very busy lives and have no time to do aerobic exercise.  But, people will exercise more if it is made easier to do so.  Many more people would walk or bike more if there were safe paths in town.

My vision is to implement what is set forth in the Portsmouth Comprehensive Plan..

We need more sidewalks in Portsmouth.  “Of the 182 miles of roadway in Portsmouth, only 6.9 miles (3.8%) have pedestrian sidewalks on one or both sides of the road.”  Although the RIDOT Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) includes projects to increase sidewalks, these projects are not scheduled for completion for years. Bicycle paths are also sorely missing from Portsmouth and I would support building one along Burma Road or Wapping Road.

I will support the town seeking grants to help us build the walking and bicycling paths more quickly.  There are town matching funds that may be required, but we will save money by paying significantly less for ambulances, EMTs and emergency room visits.

David Gleason

Keith Hamilton

Sharlene Patton

David Reise

Mary McDowell

RI HOUSE

Marvin Abney, District 73

Christopher Borden , District 70

Lauren Carson, District 75

Terri-Denise Cortvriend, District 72

John Edwards, District 70

Alex Finkelman, District 74

Michelle McGaw, District 71

RI SENATE

Louis DiPalma, District 12 (10/2/24)
What is your vision for biking and walking in our community? First and foremost, I want to recognize the exemplary work accomplished in the Ride Island Bike Plan of August 2023, and at the same time express profound THANKS to Bike Newport, the van Beuren Charitable Foundation, Grow Smart and Toole Design for their support for the initiative.  And, all of this was made possible by the visionary leadership of Bari Freeman – Executive Director, Bike Newport.  This comprehensive document is already providing the needed framework for achieving the “vision of biking and walking in our community.” 

My “vision of biking and walking in our community” is to leverage the Ride Island Bike Plan.  This exemplary document, developed based on facts, data and context, and informed by extensive public input, is already being leveraged to achieve the vision.  My vision includes connectivity throughout all of Newport County.  Realizing that vision will result in a Newport Countywide biking/walking route(s) connecting Tiverton/Little Compton on the east, across the Sakonnet Bridge shared path to Aquidneck Island in the middle, including Middletown, Newport and Portsmouth, across both the Newport-Pell and Jamestown Verrazzano bridges to Jamestown on the west across to North Kingstown.  The ultimate plan must ensure those who want to bike and walk feel comfortable AND safe.

What steps will you take to achieve your vision? To achieve that vision, I plan to take the following steps which I’ve already initiated.  The first of these steps is reading and reviewing the plans developed by and with Bike Newport and Bike Tiverton, all guided by the Ride Island Bike Plan.  Additionally, I’ve met previously with Bike Tiverton, and remain in continued conversation with them and coordinated a few meetings with bicycle enthusiasts, including local leaders and Bike Newport to determine the most urgent/pressing needs.  I’ve also reviewed the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) 10-year plan, specifically State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) Project IDs:1360, 1364, 5161, 9004, 9005 and 9201 which are all associated with the creation of shared used (bicycle/pedestrian) paths.  And, critical to achieving the vision is ensuring RIDOT and RI Statewide Planning are aware of this priority of achieving the vision via the successful implementation of the aforementioned STIP IDs, at a minimum. To that end, I’ve already had initial conversations with RIDOT regarding this very topic. I also plan to continue to work to secure the critically needed state funding, for some projects planned for in the out-years and get them accelerated with a project start in the next two years.

Additionally, earlier this year I worked collaboratively with Bike Newport, et. al., exploring the possibility, via facts/data & context, exploring a road-diet concept for East Main Road which would have provided a designated bike lane.  While this option was selected by the Middletown Town Council, I’ve turned by attention and energy to increase the focus and inertia on a near-term implementation of a RI STIP ID# 9005, particularly 9005_1 and more specifically an initial implementation of that project which seeks to create a shared-use (bike/ped) along East Main Road.  The Middletown Town Council previously sent a letter to RIDOT requesting the Project 9005_1 be accelerated, since it isn’t slated for implementation until 2029, which is much too late.  I remain committed to working to get this over the goal-line.

Dawn Euer, District 13

David Quiroa, District 13

Linda Ujifusa, District 11 (9/27/24)
My vision for biking and walking in Portsmouth and Bristol would be to someday make the possible options outlined in multiple state and local plans come true.  Those plans include the Statewide Planning Department’s Bicycle Mobility Plan (2020), Section 10.3.2 The Bicycle Plan section of the Portsmouth Comprehensive Plan (2020) and the Bristol Bicycle Network Plan. These plans and the options they present are always being updated due to community input, budget constraints, and infrastructure challenges.  Overall, I support the vision of bike and walking paths separated from automobile traffic that allow people to get around our towns more safely and easily, as well as permit lengthier commutes to other cities and towns. I’ve seen what’s possible in other states and countries and our car-centric culture is hurting our health and the environment.  Also, as people age, driving becomes dangerous and there must be options.

I will support state legislation and work with advocacy groups like Bike Newport and Grow Smart to increase funding and implementation of more bicycle and walking paths.  I have worked with Bike Newport and local businesspeople to organize the Farm to Farm Bike events in Portsmouth, as well as the Sakonnet Coastal Bike and Stroll events.  These have been very successful and allowed the community to see first hand how car-free roads are possible and desirable.  In addition, I tried to secure a federal grant for a bike path along East Main Road between Union and Sandy Point – a major choke point for bicyclists trying to traverse Aquidneck Island because they are forced to cross and then ride on East Main Road with cars or off-road on narrow, uneven paths often obstructed by vegetation.