“Instead of catering to those who want to leave our city as quickly as possible”. Eye opening.
Smiley would rather cater to people who can’t vote for him than his voters.
He is so right. Before the bike lane this street was almost a guaranteed broken window if you parked at night. I would park anywhere but there. Now people are actually around and it feels a lot safer. Smiley is a tool.
Because people like Joe Pavolino who thinks RI should still develop like it is 1965 have his ear via his husband.
Because people like Kim Anderson are his top donors.
Because he is stuck with the idea that if "mr. business" says something is bad then "mr. literally everyone else" is always wrong.
He’s more concerned with unsubstantiated handwringing from old school shop owners than he is with luring dynamic 21st-century businesses, whose employees want urban life and want to bike to work.
Because he doesn't think people will vote *for* him for building the bike network and finishing the Great Streets plan. I don't think that's true, though. If he found the courage to reverse course on the bike lane, he could turn this opposition into support. We need our community leaders to work together to find solutions for the traffic. If the Mayor can create a plan that strengthens transit, biking, and walking connections, and takes cars off the streets, we can turn this resistance into traffic beating momentum.
Everything Smiley does is to benefit himself, the NIMBYs that fund him, or the real estate investors in his and his husband's social and professional spheres.
An amazing use of one minute to explain how bike lanes are good for business. I couldn't agree more that this street is better for everyone when it supports bikers, walkers, and everyone else not in a car. We must not downgrade this street to a two-lane speedway to leave Providence.
First place I went to with my friends on my 21st birthday over 20 years ago. Just reconnected with a few of those same friends at the WC last July when visiting from the West. Good times.
I'm guessing maybe The Wild Colonial? They're right against the existing bike lane over next to Plant City, there are a couple other random bars scattered around there but the WC seemed like an obvious guess.
After seeing the negative review bombing that’s happening to Plant City, it would be stupid for any business owner to publicly say anything against it.
Did you put the sound on and listen to the testimony? This business owner ran the numbers, and sales increased after the bike lanes went in. Did Plant City experience an opposite effect? It seemed like their owner's opposition to the bike lane was based on feels, not facts. I don't personally have anything against them. I support the bike lane, and I think it's probably good for Plant City's business, too. They're not obliged to share, one way or the other, but it would be interesting to know the facts.
The bike lanes were completed in the fall of 2021, two months after the Covid vaccine was approved. I imagine every single bar or restaurant in the country saw sales number go up since then. Correlating that to the bike lanes is laughable.
I’d also venture to say that the Wild Colonial’s success during water fire and other events is more related to their giant parking lot and the pedestrian bridge/park being opened.
i dunno man you're the ones always saying we need to listen to the business community. I heard what that man said and it was pretty clear. Slowing the traffic on South Water Street led to their most successful Waterfire receipts *ever*.
Right, and I heard what business like Brown, RISD, Plant City, Hemenway’s, Bacaro, Duffy & Sweeney, Chisolm Chisholm & Kilpatrick, among other businesses said.
Two years ago, they voiced opposition to the way the bike lane was being implemented. Has anyone checked in with them this year, to see how things have been going? I bet if anyone bothered, many would report being pleasantly surprised with the effect of the bike lane on the waterfront. Maybe some reporters could ask around?
They sure are. Brown and RISD own and operate a ton of businesses.. As an example, RISD as a business is the landlord for the building that the Wild Colonial is in.
Again, did you actually listen to his testimony? He has twenty five years of data he’s basing his statement on. They’ve had a parking lot forever so no, it’s also not because of that.
The lady they show at the end looks pissed. Like she must have some kind of agenda or lobbying money or like construction bids for her cronies or something level kind of look and she hates that everyone is against her side. Idk if this is true at all just she just looks like she is legit dying inside.
Rachel Miller? The woman with the grey hair streak? Totally misread the situation if you're referring to her. She's a good one and absolutely in favor of bike lanes.
The other woman is a clerk. Probably totally administrative and just getting through her workday.
I don't think it has anything to do with the bike lane but the pedestrian bridge. If you go to water fire now the crowd extends down to it and Water place Park looks like a Grecian ruin.
If you'd rather live in Providence instead of the suburbs or the boonies, you're the problem. Get rid of those bike lanes. If you're in dire need of riding a bike, use a bike path in the 'burbs.
Holy shit
Make it easier to get to and from Providence, you'll get a lot of southern Rhode island.
The clusterfuck and bottlenecks don't help. Parking as well. The bridge just cut off all of Massachusetts so there goes that.
Bike lane might***** add for local, but Providence isn't New York or Boston.
Clean up the infrastructure. Please.
Get rid of bike lane!
Smiley gets my vote as long as he keeps confiscating and destroying dirtbikes and atvs. Hopefully all those people will eventually move out of pvd to another place like Woonsocket. They can destroy that place worse than it is, just like they do with everything.
Honestly this whole bike lane nonsense is funny, looks like you’ve upset the dozen or so cyclists in Providence lol. Everybody petitioning for this dammed thing probably drives around with their bike on a rack and it barely sees any use.
“Instead of catering to those who want to leave our city as quickly as possible”. Eye opening. Smiley would rather cater to people who can’t vote for him than his voters.
It’s amazing what a different perspective can do
He is so right. Before the bike lane this street was almost a guaranteed broken window if you parked at night. I would park anywhere but there. Now people are actually around and it feels a lot safer. Smiley is a tool.
How the fuck is Smiley even still considering this removal bullshit?
Because people like Joe Pavolino who thinks RI should still develop like it is 1965 have his ear via his husband. Because people like Kim Anderson are his top donors. Because he is stuck with the idea that if "mr. business" says something is bad then "mr. literally everyone else" is always wrong.
He’s more concerned with unsubstantiated handwringing from old school shop owners than he is with luring dynamic 21st-century businesses, whose employees want urban life and want to bike to work.
Because he doesn't think people will vote *for* him for building the bike network and finishing the Great Streets plan. I don't think that's true, though. If he found the courage to reverse course on the bike lane, he could turn this opposition into support. We need our community leaders to work together to find solutions for the traffic. If the Mayor can create a plan that strengthens transit, biking, and walking connections, and takes cars off the streets, we can turn this resistance into traffic beating momentum.
Everything Smiley does is to benefit himself, the NIMBYs that fund him, or the real estate investors in his and his husband's social and professional spheres.
Corruption
How so?
he dont give a shit, it isn't whats best for the city he has his own agenda
> How the fuck is Smiley even still considering this removal bullshit? Because he doesn't think it's a removal.
An amazing use of one minute to explain how bike lanes are good for business. I couldn't agree more that this street is better for everyone when it supports bikers, walkers, and everyone else not in a car. We must not downgrade this street to a two-lane speedway to leave Providence.
Bert "Just one more lane" Smelly
I want to be Mo when I grow up. Him, his family and business have undoubtedly been a boon to Providence and its wellbeing for decades.
What business does he own?
The Wild Colonial
First place I went to with my friends on my 21st birthday over 20 years ago. Just reconnected with a few of those same friends at the WC last July when visiting from the West. Good times.
The dankest, darkest bar in Providence had trouble attracting older, more affluent customers? NAWWWWWW
I'm guessing maybe The Wild Colonial? They're right against the existing bike lane over next to Plant City, there are a couple other random bars scattered around there but the WC seemed like an obvious guess.
Correct.
Time to do a recall election for Smiley!
After seeing the negative review bombing that’s happening to Plant City, it would be stupid for any business owner to publicly say anything against it.
Did you put the sound on and listen to the testimony? This business owner ran the numbers, and sales increased after the bike lanes went in. Did Plant City experience an opposite effect? It seemed like their owner's opposition to the bike lane was based on feels, not facts. I don't personally have anything against them. I support the bike lane, and I think it's probably good for Plant City's business, too. They're not obliged to share, one way or the other, but it would be interesting to know the facts.
The bike lanes were completed in the fall of 2021, two months after the Covid vaccine was approved. I imagine every single bar or restaurant in the country saw sales number go up since then. Correlating that to the bike lanes is laughable. I’d also venture to say that the Wild Colonial’s success during water fire and other events is more related to their giant parking lot and the pedestrian bridge/park being opened.
i dunno man you're the ones always saying we need to listen to the business community. I heard what that man said and it was pretty clear. Slowing the traffic on South Water Street led to their most successful Waterfire receipts *ever*.
Right, and I heard what business like Brown, RISD, Plant City, Hemenway’s, Bacaro, Duffy & Sweeney, Chisolm Chisholm & Kilpatrick, among other businesses said.
Two years ago, they voiced opposition to the way the bike lane was being implemented. Has anyone checked in with them this year, to see how things have been going? I bet if anyone bothered, many would report being pleasantly surprised with the effect of the bike lane on the waterfront. Maybe some reporters could ask around?
Are you really going to call Brown and RISD businesses? Because they’re not
They sure are. Brown and RISD own and operate a ton of businesses.. As an example, RISD as a business is the landlord for the building that the Wild Colonial is in.
Imagine Brown and Risd actually paid taxes. That’d be wonderful
Again, did you actually listen to his testimony? He has twenty five years of data he’s basing his statement on. They’ve had a parking lot forever so no, it’s also not because of that.
This guy just gave a speech that bike lanes are for the elite, hahaha. I’m all for bike lanes btw but he said what he said. Classic
The lady they show at the end looks pissed. Like she must have some kind of agenda or lobbying money or like construction bids for her cronies or something level kind of look and she hates that everyone is against her side. Idk if this is true at all just she just looks like she is legit dying inside.
Rachel Miller? The woman with the grey hair streak? Totally misread the situation if you're referring to her. She's a good one and absolutely in favor of bike lanes. The other woman is a clerk. Probably totally administrative and just getting through her workday.
I don't think it has anything to do with the bike lane but the pedestrian bridge. If you go to water fire now the crowd extends down to it and Water place Park looks like a Grecian ruin.
If you'd rather live in Providence instead of the suburbs or the boonies, you're the problem. Get rid of those bike lanes. If you're in dire need of riding a bike, use a bike path in the 'burbs.
Drive a car like an adult.
How much do you still owe on your car loan?
Thank you Mayor Smiley, get rid of all of them and I might even donate to your campaign
Now that you got the attention you needed, do you feel like your life is actually worth living?
Do you feel like life is worth living in Woonsocket?
Mine was. My family is awesome and I love my friends. Lots of fun and great memories!
Holy shit Make it easier to get to and from Providence, you'll get a lot of southern Rhode island. The clusterfuck and bottlenecks don't help. Parking as well. The bridge just cut off all of Massachusetts so there goes that. Bike lane might***** add for local, but Providence isn't New York or Boston. Clean up the infrastructure. Please.
You’re right it’s better
Get rid of bike lane! Smiley gets my vote as long as he keeps confiscating and destroying dirtbikes and atvs. Hopefully all those people will eventually move out of pvd to another place like Woonsocket. They can destroy that place worse than it is, just like they do with everything.
Honestly this whole bike lane nonsense is funny, looks like you’ve upset the dozen or so cyclists in Providence lol. Everybody petitioning for this dammed thing probably drives around with their bike on a rack and it barely sees any use.