The Rhode Island House of Representatives is expected to take up a bill pertaining to proposed new safety guidelines regulating the lanes of travel on the East Bay Bike Path. The legislation is co-sponsored by Reps. June Speakman (D-Dist. 68, Bristol Warren) and Tina Spears (D-Dist. 36 Charlestown, South Kingstown, Westerly and New Shoreham).

The bill was submitted to the House State Government and Elections Committee earlier in the 2025 session with a hearing set for Thursday afternoon, April 24, in Room 101 at the State House. The committee has oversight of laws relating to motor and other vehicles, including bicycles.

"As I understand it, Rhode Island is the only state in the country in which cyclists ride on the right and walkers walk on the left. The proposal is to have everyone on the bike path on the right, with passing on the left," Speakman explained.

The legislation (H5192) would amend Chapter 31-19 of the Rhode Island General Laws entitled "Operation of Bicycles." The revised chapter, 31-19-6.1, pertains to bicycle trail or path regulation and would include the following:
(a) Bicycle path users shall observe all traffic rules and signs.
(b) All users, including bicyclists, pedestrians, joggers, inline skaters, roller skaters,
skateboarders, scooter riders and any authorized electric motorized vehicle users, shall stay to the right while using the bike path.
(c) Passing on the bike path is always on the left when safe to do so.
(d) Hand signals and verbal notification is required when passing others.
(e) The Rhode Island department of transportation has jurisdiction over the bike paths in Rhode Island and shall promulgate and enforce rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of this section

Speakman said she introduced the legislation at the request of constituent Chris Menton of Bristol.

"Chris is an avid cyclist and has cycled on bike paths around the country and around the world. He shared with me correspondence from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation going back to 2004 when this issue was first raised," Speakman said of the bill's origins.

She added, "I’ve received input from supporters and opponents about the safety and ease of travel of the current system vs. the system proposed in the bill. I look forward to hearing from both sides at the committee hearing, as well as from RIDEM and RIDOT. Whether or not the bill moves forward will depend on how the hearing goes."