East Bay Bike Path

State: Rhode Island. Type: 14.5-mile paved rail trail running from India Point Park in Providence to Independence Park in Bristol, following the former Providence, Warren and Bristol Railroad right-of-way (opened 1855, passenger service ended 1937). Bikeway constructed in four phases between 1987 and 1992; dedicated by Governor Bruce Sundlun on May 31, 1992. Part of the East Coast Greenway, a roughly 3,000-mile trail network from Maine to Florida.

The East Bay Bike Path is a 14.5-mile paved multi-use trail linking India Point Park in Providence to Independence Park in Bristol, Rhode Island, tracing the shoreline of Narragansett Bay for much of its length. The trail follows the former right-of-way of the Providence, Warren and Bristol Railroad, which opened in 1855 and carried passengers until 1937, before sections were abandoned in the 1970s and later converted for recreational use. Conversion was approved in 1983 and carried out in four construction phases between 1987 and 1992, with Governor Bruce Sundlun formally dedicating the completed path on May 31, 1992. Along the way, cyclists, walkers and runners pass through East Providence, the Riverside section, and the towns of Barrington and Warren before reaching Bristol, crossing the Seekonk River via the Washington Bridge and the more recently built George Redman Linear Park. The path connects directly to other regional recreation sites, including Colt State Park in Bristol, and forms part of the East Coast Greenway, the long-distance trail network stretching from Maine to Key West, Florida.

The East Bay Bike Path runs through Providence County and Bristol County, Rhode Island, beginning at India Point Park in Providence, crossing the Seekonk River, and continuing through East Providence, Riverside, Barrington and Warren before ending at Independence Park in Bristol.

The path runs almost entirely along or near Narragansett Bay, so conditions are typically breezier than inland Rhode Island, with warm, humid summers and cold winters. Because the trail is entirely outdoors and largely unshaded in stretches near the water, sun and wind exposure are worth planning for regardless of season.

Spring through fall is the most popular season for cycling or walking the full length of the path, when daylight hours are longer and the connecting parks, such as Colt State Park and Haines State Park, are in fuller seasonal use. The trail is usable year-round given its paved surface, weather permitting.

The trail follows the former Providence, Warren and Bristol Railroad corridor, which opened in 1855 to connect Providence with the East Bay towns and Bristol. Passenger rail service on the line ended in 1937, and portions of the right-of-way were abandoned in stages during the 1970s as rail use declined further. The State of Rhode Island approved converting the corridor into a shared-use recreational path in April 1983, and construction proceeded in four phases from 1987 to 1992. Governor Bruce Sundlun dedicated the completed 14.5-mile path on May 31, 1992. More recently, a major renovation created the George Redman Linear Park section, which opened in September 2015 at a total cost of $21.8 million, and RIDOT began a bridge-replacement project for crossings over the Barrington and Palmer Rivers, breaking ground on September 26, 2022 with completion originally targeted for the end of 2025.

Cycling and walking the full or partial length of the path are the primary activities, with stops possible at Colt State Park in Bristol, Haines State Park (which has picnic facilities), and Riverside Square, which offers water, food and restrooms along the route. Crescent Park in Riverside, just off the path, is home to a historic 1895 carousel that's a popular stop for families. The trail's flat, paved surface also makes it a common choice for running and inline skating.

Colt State Park, with its bay views and historic estate grounds, is directly connected to the path in Bristol. Crescent Park's 1895 carousel near Riverside is a notable historic attraction just off the route. The George Redman Linear Park section, a modern renovation completed in 2015, and the crossing of the Seekonk River via the Washington Bridge, are notable built features along the way.

The path's northern end at India Point Park is easily reached from downtown Providence, while the southern end at Independence Park is in downtown Bristol; both endpoints, and several points in between, have parking lots (eight are noted along the route). T.F. Green International Airport, near Providence, is the closest major commercial airport for visitors flying in.

As an outdoor public trail, the East Bay Bike Path has no set opening or closing hours, though individual connecting parks and facilities, such as Colt State Park, may have their own posted hours. Note that as of 2019, RIDOT closed two wooden bridges along the route for safety reasons pending replacement; travelers should check current RIDOT trail-status updates before planning a full end-to-end ride, since sections may be affected during construction.

There is no fee to use the East Bay Bike Path; it is a free public trail maintained by the state.

Riding the full 14.5 miles one-way typically takes a couple of hours at a leisurely pace, while a shorter out-and-back or one-way trip focused on a specific section, such as Riverside to Colt State Park, can be done in under an hour.

Providence and Bristol, at opposite ends of the path, both offer a range of hotels and inns, from larger downtown Providence properties to smaller Bristol inns closer to the trail's southern terminus. Towns along the route, including Barrington and Warren, have more limited lodging but are within easy reach of both endpoint cities.

Riverside Square, along the path, offers food and restroom facilities directly on the route. Downtown Providence and downtown Bristol, at the trail's two ends, both have substantial restaurant scenes, while Warren and Barrington offer smaller-scale dining options for cyclists passing through.

Colt State Park sits directly along the path in Bristol, and Crescent Park's historic carousel is just off the route near Riverside. India Point Park in Providence and Independence Park in Bristol, the trail's two endpoints, are themselves worth a stop.

T.F. Green International Airport near Providence is the nearest major commercial airport. The path itself is best accessed by personal bike, car with parking at one of its eight noted lots, or by combining it with Rhode Island's regional bus service to reach either endpoint city.

As of 2019, RIDOT closed two wooden bridges along the route for safety reasons pending replacement, so cyclists planning a full end-to-end trip should check current trail-status updates before setting out, since a section of the path may be affected. Standard trail-sharing etiquette, staying alert for pedestrians, other cyclists, and any road crossings along the route, applies throughout.

A bike suitable for a paved multi-use path, water, sun protection given the largely open, waterfront route, and a basic repair kit for longer end-to-end rides given the trail's length and limited services in some stretches.

Check current RIDOT trail-status updates before a full end-to-end ride, since bridge-replacement work has affected sections of the route in recent years. Breaking the ride into segments, for example Providence to Riverside, then Riverside to Bristol, is a practical way to combine the trail with stops at Crescent Park's carousel and Colt State Park.

Dial 911 for any emergency. For trail conditions or maintenance issues, RIDOT can be reached at (401) 222-2450, and the R.I. Division of Parks and Recreation maintenance line is (401) 667-6200.

Rhode Island Department of Transportation (East Bay Bike Path) - https://www.dot.ri.gov/travel/bikeri/eastbay.php

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.