In just two years, Providence leaders move biking from zero to hero

With only a handful of trails and bike lanes to start, Providence accelerated the completion of its mobility network faster than any U.S. over the last two years. 

Announced in 2020, the Providence Great Streets Initiative established a vision for city-wide mobility improvements. This bold plan will connect every Providence neighborhood to a safe, comfortable, high-quality network of routes for people walking, riding bicycles, accessing transit, or using shared micromobility options, like scooters and e-bikes. 

Locally, this network is called “The Urban Trail Network” and, when completed, will seamlessly connect Providence residents to schools, jobs, and other important destinations like parks, libraries, and museums. 

“All residents should feel a sense of belonging, and our public infrastructure is an integral part of that mission,” Mayor Jorge Elorza was quoted in the public release of the plan. “Our streets play a central part in shaping our neighborhoods so we must design infrastructure in a way that embraces multi-modal transportation while simultaneously prioritizing the safety of those who choose alternative methods of transit.”

Revolutionary. Transformative. A legacy for elected leaders. All of these would be appropriate descriptions of what successful implementation of the Great Streets Initiative could achieve. But in reality, the City had only the bits and pieces of a cycling network when they began: A path or two along a river, some appealing neighborhood streets and a single protected bike lane downtown. 

The challenge was to rapidly move from building individual projects every few years to connecting a complete network faster than any U.S. city had done before.

The path towards this idyllic future got off to a rocky start.

Months earlier, the city had moved quickly to implement protected bike lanes on Eaton Street, a three-quarter mile corridor near Providence College. After a series of public meetings, and believing that the community supported this transformation, officials approved the installation of protected bike lanes, narrowing the travel lanes for cars. 

Neighborhood opposition to these changes was almost immediate. Residents called the travel lanes too narrow and expressed concern about emergency vehicle access. Local council members called the public engagement process flawed and the transformation unsafe for drivers.

Ultimately, after a few short weeks, Mayor Elorza announced his decision to remove the bike lanes and return the street to its original design. When all was said and done, the city spent more than $125,000 constructing and deconstructing the bike lanes, the Mayor’s vision for a network of safe streets had hit a road bump on its first project, and bicycling advocates were left wondering where it had all gone wrong. 

In hindsight, the transformation was advertised as a bicycling project. Supporters of the proposal had shown up at community meetings, registered their pro-bike lane positions, and celebrated the idea that they would be able to bike with greater ease and comfort once completed. In the end, support from bicyclists wasn’t enough. 

Communications from the project failed to engage a broader audience – primarily people that drive – and demonstrate the benefits of the proposed changes to residents that may never get on a bike. Those in support of the bike lanes were labeled as a  “special interest” group, and not representative of the community being affected by the street changes. 

Success meant city officials would need new allies to support their work.

The Providence Streets Coalition was created in response to this need. Formed as an alliance of community organizations, local businesses, schools, institutions, civic leaders, and engaged individuals, PVD Streets broadened the definition of what it meant to support “Great Streets.” Neighborhood safety, connectivity, affordable housing, and policies to advance climate justice became a hallmark of this growing coalition of 70 member organizations. 

PVD Streets launched a media campaign that tapped into the city’s popular support for bicycling and safe mobility options. Using social media, online videos, and outdoor advertising, the campaign showcased the community benefits of proposed “Great Streets” projects and involved more people in the official city public engagement process.

Through the Coalition, advocates for safe and improved streets took on a new identity, more representative of the people of Providence and the larger issues that motivated their participation in civic discourse. Rather than positioning bicycling improvements against other neighborhood priorities, Coalition leaders were able to speak authentically about the ways that comprehensive mobility improvements – including biking – would be a benefit for everyone. 

Bolstered by a wave of support, City leaders were able to complete 43 miles of new bikeways in the 24 months following the bike lane removal on Eaton Street. And, when the commitment to his “Great Streets” vision was tested again by powerful business and institutional leaders concerning a project on South Water Street in 2021, Mayor Elorza stood firm behind 63% of voters supporting the belief that Providence should have more protected bike lanes that are separated from driving lanes, even if it means reducing those lanes and on-street parking.

Providence, and its coalition of supporters, aren’t taking any breaks.

This year, city leaders plan to construct another 20 miles of their Urban Trail Network, completing about half of the total planned network in only three years.

The successful partnership between PVD Streets and city officials proves that traditional bicycling advocates don’t need to be the most prominent voice in public meetings. In fact, too often advocates are viewed as a special interest group and dismissed as unrepresentative of the community. For Providence, the ability to create a new group of advocates was key to their success, and instrumental in supporting visionary leadership elected to make bold changes. 

Providence proves that any U.S. city can move quicker, with thoughtful ambition, no matter the starting point. Success isn’t dictated by a great plan, available funding, or powerful bicycle lobbyists. Instead, comprehensive and authentic engagement that meets people where they are bolsters political will and strengthens the vision of a better tomorrow. 

Great Streets aren’t just for people on bicycles – they’re for everyone. 

Is your city ready to be the next Providence? Our work is built on partnerships. Let’s get to know each other, your community, and your goals. Get in touch with us today.