Biking Resources

Bicycle Resources

(Any reference to a specific dealer is not an endorsement, but only a suggested source.)

Gear

A selection of links that help you decide what type of bicycle you need and how to purchase one.

The Basics of a Bicycle – Includes info on choosing a bicycle, although a little technical.
Buying Tips for Rhode Island - What is required for AMC bike rides.
East Providence Cycle Site – Dig into top menu under "Resource Library/New to Cycling/Choosing a Bicycle".

Safety Notes

Here are some rules and practices that are best followed to decrease your chances go being injured or killed.

Bike Safe Boston (new) Bike laws in Boston and in general. Including a WGBH "Greater Boston" TV segment on biking "Right of Way".
How to Not Get Hit by Cars – Major site used by many organizations promoting bicycle safety.
Ken Kifer's Bike Pages on safety – Well respected bike site. The author was recently killed by a drunk driver.
Bicyclist Crash Type Images – Showing different types of bicycling and vehicle errors causing accidents.
Five of the most frequently reported fatal bike-vehicle accidents – Bicyclists should stay on the defensive to stay safe.
On riding in main roads, car door accidents (new); Are bike lanes the answer?
About the Dana Laird fatality (new) Comments on a fatal Boston accident on riding in bike lanes.

Safety just for Kids

When children become interested in biking, parents should encourage and guide children on safe biking. Below are several sources that are useful for kids and parents. (Thank you, Michelle.)

Teach Your Child Well: Bicycle Safety Issues – Bicycling helps kids develop judgment and self-confidence, safe practices and lifelong skills. The most import part of having fun cycling is to learn to do it safely.
Educating Children and Teens – Introducing kids to the fun and freedom of riding a bike should go hand in hand with teaching them about bicycles, how to ride them, and how to maintain them.
Kids and Bicycle Safety – This site has information on "Sidewalk versus Street Riding", which is important for kids under 10 yrs old.

Resources

Web sites that promote, support and provide information on bicycling in Rhode Island.

Bicycling in Rhode Island, the RIDOT site. – The main RI source for the State's bike paths and highway routes.
The Narragansett Bay Wheelmen Club – Rhode Island's major bike club.
East Coast Greenway, RI section - The most popular bike path in Rhode Island.
Blackstone Valley Bike Path – Start of the bike path to eventually connect to Worcester, Massachusetts.
Coventry Greenway
Providence Bicycle Network Map – The proposed bicycle routes in the city of Providence.
Rhode Island Bicycle Coalition - The Rhode Island Bicycle Coalition
Bike-To-Brown - Bicycle Commuting at Brown, a Blog with comments on biking in Providence and the surrounding area.
Bike Newport - A blog on information, advocacy, enterprise, education, events and more, for the city of Newport.

Retail Sales

Stores in Rhode Island, and nearby Massachusetts, that sell bicycles. Some stores offer discounts to various outdoor club members with proof of membership. This listing is only for ones that I have found with web sites. For others, refer to the last two entries.

Caster's - Located in Warwick at 3480 Post Rd just below Rt 117. They carry the Trek, and Specialized brands.
East Providence Cycle - Located at 414 Warren Ave (Rt 6) in E. Providence. Just off Rt 195 at the Broadway exit. They carry Trek, Specialized, Giant, and Schwinn bicycles.
Providence Cycle - Located on Branch Avenue in a red brick converted mill with easy access is off Rt 146. They advertise as the largest bicycle shop in Providence. They do not carry Trek or Specialized but offer 17 other brands, including Cannondale, Bianchi, Kuota, Raleigh, Santa Cruz, Serotta, and Seven Cycles. They are not open on Saturday or Friday evening after 6:00pm.
BikeWorks - Located in the Swansea Mall off Rt 118. They carry Cannondale, Gary Fisher, Trek, Cervelo, Independent Farications, Lemond, Bontrager, and Merckx brands.
Brumble Bikes - Located at 49 Beach St in Westerly. Not open on Saturdays (sometimes maybe) or Sunday. They sell Kestrel, Iron Horse, Elite, Quintana Roo, Look and Jamis brand bicycles.
Greenway Cycles - Located in Coventry on Rt 117 near Fairview Ave. They carry the Jamis brand.
Narragansett Bikes - Located at 1153 Boston Neck Rd (Rt 1a) just south of S. Ferry Rd (URI Bay Campus Road) They carry Trek, Felt, Kestrel, Gary Fisher and Blue brands
Pedal Power Bicycle Shop - Located on Rt 114 in Middletown, about 1/2 mile above where Rt 138 meets Rt 114. They carry the Raleigh, Fuji, and Seven Cycles brands.
Scottee's Westport Bicycle - Located on Rt 6 just above where Rt 177 intersects. They carry Bianchi, Blue, Scott, Jamis, Felt, Look, and Ridley brands.
The Hub - Located in the Brown University area, on Brook St which is one block east of Thayer and 3 blocks north of Wickendon St. They carry the Fuji, Jamis, KHS, Independent Fabrications, and Surly brand bicycles.
Union Cycle - Located in Attleboro on Pleasant St (Rt 123) a block or so above the center of town. They carry Litespeed, Klien, Fuji, KHS, Lemond and Pinarello, Gary Fisher brand bicycles.
Village Bicycle - Located in Westport, off Rt 88 on your way to Horseneck Beach. Third light down on Rt 88, take right, then left on Main St., south for 2 miles. They carry Parlee, KHS, LeMond, Orbea frames, but seem to specialize in other than road bikes.
Recreational Equipment Inc. - Located in Cranston just off Rt2 in the Chapel Hill Complex. Mostly carrying their own Novara Brand, but also sell K2, Canondale, Scott, and Marin brand bicycles.
Circle A Cycles - Located at 523 Charles St in Providence. Do not sell finished bikes but will build a custom frame for you and set it up to your specifications.
Other Bicycle Shops - This list put out by the DOT lists bike shops with relation to the State Bike Paths.

Links updated 4-1-2011