2026 Candidates Respond with their Bike/Walk Visions

On September 4th, the following message was sent from Bike Newport to all candidates for Municipal Councils and School Committees, RI Senate, and RI House of Representatives for Aquidneck Island – Newport, Middletown, and Portsmouth. Thanks to all of the candidates who replied for taking the time to share their vision. Their responses appear below the question. All responses are presented as received, unedited.

UPDATE: On September 24th, a similar message was sent from Bike Newport to all candidates for United States House Representative in District 1 and 2 and United States Senator.

CANDIDATE RESPONSES

Newport City Council Newport School Committee Middletown Town Council Middletown School Committee Portsmouth Town Council Portsmouth School Committee
RI House RI Senate U.S. House of Representatives District 1
U.S. House of Representatives District 2 U.S. Senator

NEWPORT CITY COUNCIL

Ellen M. Pinnock, 1st Ward (9/8/2026)

What is your vision for biking and walking in our community? My vision is that every resident in our community can bike or walk, push a stroller or travel by wheelchair, freely and safely, in our community. To me that means our neighborhoods are connected to schools, parks, businesses, public transportation, the waterfront and downtown with safe, accessible and continuous sidewalks, crossings and bicycle infrastructure. We have far too many injuries happening when people are simply traveling where they need to go. We are a very car-dependent community.

What steps will you take to achieve your vision? I want to build on the important work already being done by Bike Newport and the residents who have spent years advocating for safer, more walkable and bike-able streets. The community has already done much of the outreach and identified many of the challenges and opportunities and we now need City Hall to listen and act. My priority will be turning those recommendations into real improvements in our neighborhoods: safer crossings, connected sidewalks and bike routes, better lighting, traffic calming, and streets that are accessible to people of all ages and abilities. I will work with Bike Newport, residents, city staff, schools, and other community partners to establish clear priorities, identify funding opportunities, and push for projects with timelines and accountability. We should not keep asking residents to tell us what they need because we need to take the information they have already given us and turn it into action.

John Michael, 1st Ward

Emily Conklin, 2nd Ward (9/19/2026)

What is your vision for biking and walking in our community? My vision for transit in Newport is that cars are not the default. Newport is a small city, easily navigable without a car or motorized vehicle. One of the joys of living here is that we have such a vibrant community with so many things to do all within a few miles. Even so, most trips are taken by car because it is the easiest, safest form of transportation, and the one our roads are built for. I am an avid biker and I take my bike to work or other activities as often as possible. I know the rules of the road and am comfortable biking with traffic, and I still feel unsafe on my bike a lot of the time. Unsafe conditions while I am riding arise from the forced proximity to cars and the lack of awareness of bikes on the road from many drivers. My vision for biking in our community is one where new cyclists and folks of all abilities feel safe venturing out on their bikes, and the experience of bikers is one that is considered in road design. The same is true of pedestrians. Getting around on foot and by mobility device should be easy, safe, and encouraged. Not only would increased foot traffic decrease car congestion on the roads and improve air quality, it’s also the best way to visit our city. Safer circumstances for folks outside of cars will improve quality of life for all. People taking any form of transit should arrive at their destination safely; road deaths are preventable tragedies, not inevitabilities of the road. We can prioritize people, their safety and their comfort, over cars.

What steps will you take to achieve your vision? The City of Newport and partners such as Bike Newport have done so much to work towards a bike and pedestrian friendly city. From achieving bronze level bike-friendly community status multiple years in a row to working to change out-of-date ordinances, the effort and collaboration is making an impact. However, there is still a lot that can be done. In order to achieve the vision of making walking and biking a safe and easy choice for more people, I will collaborate with my fellow councilors, city staff, and external partners to execute the “Keep Newport Moving” 2023 transportation master plan and the Green & Complete Streets policy. This includes improving connectivity, incorporating separated bike lanes wherever possible, and improving signage so that folks know where to go. Whenever road work is done, whether it’s by the city or other parties, accessibility and transit improvements must be considered. We can do this potentially through zoning requirements on certain types of projects, ordinances requiring the development of community benefits agreements that include transit and accessibility improvements, and other strategies. The basis for this work exists, but we can be more decisive in executing it. The Planning Department has developed and is working to implement a strategy to collaborate among departments and with relevant commissions to ensure these policies, especially Green & Complete Streets, are followed and development is held to standards we set for road improvements. I will work to empower City staff to see projects through in accordance with these policies, and collaborate with the City Manager and other Councilors to ensure transit is prioritized. As much as this work focuses on road improvements, it also is paramount to reconsider the impact and needs of parking. We must do more to encourage visitors to park in lots on the outskirts of the city, such as the intercept lot off the Newport Pell Bridge, and deprioritize parking within the downtown itself, a goal highlighted in the transportation master plan. I will also work with our state delegation and governmental agencies such as RIDOT and RIPTA to institute traffic calming measures, overcome funding shortcomings preventing road improvement, and leverage public transportation to reduce demand on our roads. Newport has fantastic resources in our commissions, including the Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Commission, Tree and Open Space Commission, and others. These commissions should be leveraged for public engagement, input, and monitoring on ongoing projects. Communication with the public on needs and updates is paramount and must be prioritized. We are a world class destination and city to live in – we can also be a leader in “getting there by bike”. As a City Councilor, I look forward to continuing my work as a bike advocate and making our city streets safe, accessible, and fun for everyone.

John M. Walker, 2nd Ward

David R. Carlin III, 3rd Ward

Jane LeBeouf, At-Large

Kevin Michaud, At-Large

Christine Hope Sullivan, At-Large (9/4/2026)

I grew up biking from one end of Newport to the other, and it felt safe. 

After finishing work at the Deck or the 509 Grille on Lower Thames Street, I would bike home in the dark, and while I rode carefully, I never felt in danger the way I do now. 

Everyone would wave and slow down when they saw a bike. No one drove as fast or as recklessly as they do today. 

There was a sense of shared community, where bikes and kids on bikes were embraced by everyone.

Later, I commuted by bicycle to and from work in Manhattan and the Bronx, rain or shine, for several years…

That experience made me passionate about safe, protected bike lanes. 

Paradoxically, New York City, a city of 8.5 million people, is safer to ride in than Newport, a city of 36,000. That is because NYC has invested in bike infrastructure.

Our community has been wracked by tragedy involving both pedestrians and cyclists. I witnessed the death of Kayla Watson on Admiral Kalbfus Road. 

More recently, we lost a beloved neighbor and community member, John Miles, on Memorial Boulevard. 

My neighbors and I fought tirelessly to bring traffic calming measures to that dangerous school intersection, and we are not finished advocating for safe, bike-friendly roads throughout Newport. I have worked closely with Bike Newport since Kayla’s death.

Today, my thirteen-year-old son and his friends ride their bikes to school and around town, and it terrifies me.

Speeding and congestion make walking and biking dangerous in Newport. I dream of a Newport where no one drives 50 mph in a 25 mph zone. I hope we can come together as a community and introduce traffic calming, so we can be less car-centric and more open to alternatives like walking and biking.

We also have some bad actors on electric bikes and scooters who disregard the rules of the road, endangering pedestrians, the mobility impaired, motorists, and regular cyclists. 

Recently, the Director of Public Safety and Bike Newport introduced new ordinances to help with this problem. However, change is also needed at the state level. Electric bikes and scooters cannot ride roughshod over the rights of others by traveling at excessive speeds.

If elected, I will partner with my fellow council members, local and state officials, Bike Newport, the police, and community residents to promote safe streets for pedestrians and cyclists. 

I will draw on the Transportation Master Plan and Vision Zero, with the goal of zero pedestrian and cyclist fatalities. 

I would explore a municipal bike-share program to increase access to bikes and make them more visible. 

I would push for education and regulation of e-bikes and scooters, and I would lobby the state for stronger rules. 

Together, we can find common-sense solutions and make Newport a safer place to walk and bike.

Stephanie Smyth, At-Large (9/18/2026)

What is your vision for biking and walking in our community? My vision is for Newport to be a city where residents of every age, ability, and neighborhood can safely walk or bike to school, work, our parks, downtown, and other destinations throughout the city. Walking and biking should not simply be recreational activities—they should be safe, practical transportation options. When I first answered Bike Newport’s candidate questionnaire before serving on the City Council, I talked about the gaps I saw on streets such as Malbone Road, Rhode Island Avenue, Bridge Street, and Admiral Kalbfus Road. I heard from residents who told me they would walk or bike more often if they felt safer doing so. After serving on the Council, I believe that even more strongly today. Newport has already done a great deal of the planning. Our Comprehensive Land Use Plan establishes a goal of creating a comprehensive multimodal transportation system for all users. Keep Newport Moving, our Transportation Master Plan, gives us a framework for creating a safer and better-connected transportation network. We now also have Newport’s Vision Zero/Safe Streets work to help identify where serious safety risks exist and how we can address them. My vision is to turn those plans into a connected system that people can actually use. That means filling sidewalk gaps and maintaining the sidewalks we already have; creating safer and more visible crossings; calming traffic in residential neighborhoods; expanding safe bicycle infrastructure; improving connections between neighborhoods; and ensuring that children, seniors, people with disabilities, pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and drivers are all considered when streets are designed or reconstructed. This is also about equity. The safety of our streets should not depend on which Newport neighborhood you live in. A child walking to Pell School deserves the same consideration as a pedestrian downtown. A resident in the North End should have safe walking and biking connections to the rest of Newport. And someone who cannot or chooses not to own a car should still be able to safely move around our community. During my first term, I have tried to bring that philosophy to the decisions before the Council. I have supported initiatives addressing Malbone Avenue sidewalks, school-zone speed limits, Maple Avenue traffic calming, Bridge Street traffic and parking improvements, Newport’s Bicycle Friendly Community application, and traffic-calming concerns on Memorial Boulevard. Those may appear to be individual issues, but collectively they represent the larger goal: designing Newport around people and their safety rather than assuming every trip needs to be made by car. Newport is a compact city. That gives us an incredible opportunity to become one of the most walkable and bikeable communities in Rhode Island. We should embrace it.

What steps will you take to achieve your vision? My priority for a second term is implementation, accountability, and funding. We have plans. Now we need to execute them. First, we need to make transportation safety part of our regular capital planning. Sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, crosswalks, traffic-calming measures, ADA accessibility, and other pedestrian improvements should be incorporated into our Capital Improvement Program and annual budgeting process. We should also aggressively pursue state and federal transportation and safety grants so that we can accelerate projects without placing the entire burden on Newport taxpayers. Second, I’d like to see us prioritize projects based on safety, connectivity, and equity. We have identified sidewalk gaps, dangerous intersections, school routes, high-speed corridors, and missing bicycle connections and need to develop a transparent priority list for addressing them. Residents should be able to see what projects are planned, where they stand, and when they are expected to be completed. Malbone Avenue is a good example. Safe sidewalks and bicycle connections there are not simply an infrastructure improvement—they connect North End residents and families to Pell School, Broadway, downtown, and other parts of Newport. That is exactly the type of connectivity envisioned in Keep Newport Moving. Third, we need to follow through on Vision Zero and Safe Streets. I support using traffic data and crash information to identify problem areas and implementing appropriate solutions such as traffic calming, safer and better-lit crosswalks, improved signage and visibility, speed-management measures, and street designs that naturally encourage drivers to slow down. I have supported school-zone speed-limit measures and traffic-calming efforts on Maple Avenue and have raised concerns about Memorial Boulevard because I believe we should be proactive about dangerous conditions rather than waiting for another serious accident before taking action. Fourth, we need a truly connected bicycle network. A bike lane that abruptly ends or forces a cyclist onto a dangerous road is not a functioning bicycle network. Newport should continue working with Bike Newport, RIDOT, RIPTA, our Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission, Middletown, Portsmouth, and regional partners so Newport’s bicycle infrastructure connects with the broader Aquidneck Island network. Fifth, we need to reduce the number of unnecessary vehicle trips into the most congested parts of Newport. Tourism is essential to our economy, but millions of visitors traveling through a small historic city creates transportation challenges for residents. I continue to believe we should explore satellite parking, stronger transit connections, bike-share opportunities, improved bicycle parking, and park-once strategies that allow visitors to get around without moving their cars from destination to destination. Open-street and pedestrian-focused opportunities should also be part of that conversation. Finally, we need greater accountability for implementation of our transportation plans. I would support regular public updates to the Council on Keep Newport Moving, Vision Zero/Safe Streets, Green and Complete Streets, and bicycle and pedestrian projects—what has been completed, what is funded, what is underway, and what comes next. One thing I have learned during my first term is that adopting a good plan is only the beginning. The Council’s responsibility is to provide the oversight, funding, coordination, and persistence necessary to make sure those plans result in tangible improvements for residents. Bike Newport and the Bicycle and Pedestrian commission have been invaluable partners in advocating for transportation equity, educating the public, and pushing Newport toward safer streets. I want the City Council to match that advocacy with action. At the end of my next term, I want us to be able to point to completed sidewalks, safer intersections, calmer neighborhood streets, new bicycle connections, and fewer crashes—not simply additional studies and plans. That is how I would measure our progress, more Newporters should feel comfortable choosing to walk or bike because they feel safe doing it.

James Dring, At-Large

Taryn Mazza, At-Large (9/23/2026)

What is your vision for biking and walking in our community? My vision for Newport is for us to be a statewide leader in multi-modal transportation. Having spent some time in my life living in Portland, Oregon – I have seen what a top-tier walkable/bikeable city looks like and let me tell you that it is glorious. Clearly defined bike lanes, maintained sidewalks and crosswalks, space for wheelchairs or strollers, traffic calming street murals, etc. This is not out of reach for Newport. Encouraging multi-modal transportation and making it easy and available to people is Prevention. It promotes health & wellbeing of our citizens, it provides more connectivity within our neighborhoods, calms traffic, and reduces wear & tear on our already fatigued roads. I want people to feel safe riding bicycles and walking around our city and I think that feeling has been trending down as our cyclist and pedestrian fatalities go up. We can be a bikeable/walkable city and we should prioritize it. As it stands, I don’t really feel safe riding to the (easily bikeable) places I need to go on my bicycle, so I don’t. I’m sure others feel similarly.

What steps will you take to achieve your vision? For the last almost 4 years, I have been lucky that part of my job at The Women’s Resource Center has been supporting and collaborating with Bike Newport. Together and with other key partners such as Grow Smart America, we have worked to push for progress in implementing the City’s Green & Complete Streets initiatives which has been in place since 2022. If elected I will continue to advocate for options and initiatives that will help reduce traffic, improve safety & accessibility, and promote multi-modal transportation for our city. With good collaboration and vision, we can make getting around in Newport a lot easier & safer.

Meagan Elizabeth Landry, At-Large (9/23/2026)

What is your vision for biking and walking in our community? My vision for biking and walking in our community is one that is going to take cooperation from those who are behind the wheel in their motor vehicle, those biking, and pedestrians. Having spent the last 40 years as a resident of Newport, I’ve seen firsthand the influx of traffic on every level, in a post COVID vacation destination. It seems to have intensified over the last 5/6 years, and we have to meet the moment for positive change. There have been too many recent fatalities, that in my honest opinion, could have and should have been prevented/avoided. I shouldn’t say this as an automotive sales consultant. But we need to do a better job of getting cars off the road, particularly in our downtown corridors in the summer season, to open up space for safer biking and walking. There are many major intersections that are incredibly dangerous, as pedestrians are basically instructed to cross in front of oncoming traffic. I would want to work with RIDOT to see why these crossing lights aren’t matching the traffic pattern. Newport was originally a town with horse drawn carriages, and our local roads reflect how ill equipped they are for the size and scope of vehicles today. I would love to see more bike racks throughout the city, to encourage transportation that is less disruptive.

What steps will you take to achieve your vision? I would want to work with the city Planning Board, Bike Newport, as well as with RIDOT on roads that would require more state input and approval. Everything takes longer than it should, so the sooner a plan can come together, the better. I don’t believe it’s reinventing the wheel. I think it’s also exploring what other cities and towns that are comparable to Newport are currently implementing, to see what is working for them, and what isn’t.

Elizabeth E. Cullen, At-Large (9/6/2026)

What is your vision for biking and walking in our community? I want Newport to be a city where walking and biking feel safe, natural, and inviting, for residents running errands, or going to work, or kids heading to school, or for the many visitors who come to experience our historic streets, spectacular waterfront, and unique neighborhoods. As someone who walks every day, I see how continuous sidewalks, clear crossings, tree-lined streets, and real traffic calming improve quality of life. We have work to do in many areas. We must do more to shape how visitors experience Newport: less congestion, easier exploration on foot or by bike, and a more enjoyable stay that doesn’t depend on circling for parking. Bike Newport has been a tireless partner in advancing safer streets, and the City’s Keep Newport Moving Transportation Master Plan provides a strong foundation. If elected, I will work proactively with Bike Newport, City staff, and our many other nonprofits to turn plans into progress, while making intermodal connections a priority. Better links between walking, biking, transit, park-and-ride, and ferry options will give both residents and visitors real alternatives to driving, reduce car traffic, and help Newport move more people with less congestion.

What steps will you take to achieve your vision? Here’s how I will achieve my vision…

*Partner locally: Work closely with Bike Newport, Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission, neighborhood associations, and other groups like Friends of the Waterfront, the City’s Tree and Open Space Commission, and the Aquidneck Island Land Trust to identify priority areas and move practical improvements forward.

*Prioritize traffic calming: Support proven safety measures like raised crosswalks, narrower travel lanes, and high-visibility crossings that naturally encourage safer speeds, especially near schools, parks, and busy commercial streets.

*Amplify our voice statewide: Bike Newport’s work is strongest when it’s connected to the broader movement across Rhode Island. I’ll support collaboration with statewide advocacy groups like RI Bike and Providence Streets Coalition to help carry Newport’s priorities into state-level conversations and strengthen the case for funding and policy support across the RI.

*Strengthen intermodal connections: As a City Councilor, I’ll partner with Bike Newport and other community advocates to connect walking, biking, transit, and ferry service into a safer, more seamless system. Working with RIPTA, RIDOT, RITBA, Discover Newport and regional partners, we can improve first and last-mile connections, reduce traffic and parking pressure, and ensure Newport has a strong voice in state transportation decisions.

*Invest in infrastructure: Direct local investment and pursue grants, including Safe Streets and Roads for All, toward the Plan’s core priorities – sidewalk repair, high-visibility crossings, a connected bike network, traffic calming, and street trees. I see Discover Newport as an integral partner here, given its stake in a city that’s easy and appealing for visitors to move through, and I’ll work with them to help fund and champion these priorities alongside the City.

*Design for safety: I’ll meet regularly with Chief Duffy to address traffic enforcement and parking compliance, ensuring that new and existing infrastructure works as intended and keeps people safe. I’ll work with City staff to make sure initiatives are completed in a timely way. I’ll fight to bring more funding to support cycling and pedestrian improvements throughout our main roadways and neighborhoods.

*Make walking accessible: Ensure sidewalks, crossings, curb ramps, tree root pads, and pedestrian signals work for everyone – including seniors, people with disabilities, families with strollers, and children walking to school. Accessibility should be part of every transportation project, not an afterthought.

**Make progress measurable: Establish clear priorities and timelines for pedestrian and bicycle improvements and report regularly on progress. Good plans only matter if they result in projects that actually get built

Charles M. Holder, At-Large

NEWPORT SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Amy Yozura

Penelope B. Hunt (9/4/2026)

What is your vision for biking and walking in our community? The size of the Aquidneck Island community and particularly the narrow, uncrowded side streets of Newport make it an ideal walking and biking community. As a kid I regularly walked to school, to friends’ houses and to stores. The convenience of driving clearly drove planning efforts for many decades (no pun intended) and unfortunately has diminished the safety of choosing more healthy and acceptable options such as walking and biking. Although I am very pro-bike and ride my own bike around town for errands (and previously rode 6 miles to work a few times a week while living in Boston), as a parent I have sadly been nervous about launching my own children onto our city streets on bikes. My vision for our community would be that residents would regularly choose walking or biking for everyday activities such as riding to school or work or running errands. This requires the up front efforts of education and access to bikes, with which Bike Newport has been doing a great job. It also requires certain infrastructure changes to be made particularly to major roads that were designed with driving and parking as a priority. Finally, it requires leaders in the community who are willing to serve as examples and advocates for regularly choosing biking or walking over the use of a vehicle.

What steps will you take to achieve your vision? First of all I want to thank Bike Newport for their educational work on biking for students in Newport Public Schools. The biking module for 3rd graders is a big hit and has inspired both my own kids and other kids and also parents that I know to be more open to biking. True behavior change to walk/bike to everyday activities takes time and another level of investment. The first question that I have been pondering is Bike/Walk to School. During COVID local community members organized a Walk to School Bus and it’s my understanding that Bike Newport has preliminarily proposed a Bike Bus to Pell, which I fully support. I intend to work on a review this fall of the schools’ bus routes and would like to make sure that that review is done in alignment with any opportunities to encourage walking and biking. In addition to the potential for a regular walking or biking ‘bus,’ I would like to see an expansion of the Bike to School Days for a broader group of kids, or perhaps having it structured as a competition for the most days or furthest mileage biked or walked (maybe not just to school) or something like that. I’ve heard that it takes 3 weeks of regular repetition to develop a new habit, so it’s important to find an incentive structure that encourages long-term adoption of walking and biking as alternatives to driving. We would need to structure the programming differently at each school level but I do think that a core element of competition, in addition to education, would be important to add to the mix so that young participants get recognition and positive feedback from choosing biking and walking. As a School Committee member, I would support the schools’ coordination and dissemination of any information to families and kids that would inform families as to the benefits of walking/biking. I would also happily participate in any planned activities or PR opportunities such as School Committee members bike to all three schools in a day or something. On the fun side, the 10-spot ride geared toward adults is amazing and perhaps could be adapted into a kid/family-friendly event. I would recommend that the event be geared toward a specific age range, such as 4th-8th grade or separately 9th-12th grade. My final thought on what we can all do to encourage walking and biking to everyday activities is to advocate for zoning and infrastructure projects that facilitate the location of everyday amenities such as grocery stores, drug stores, post offices etc in locations that are accessible for walking and biking.

Brian Rochelle

Elizabeth Barron (9/10/2026)

What is your vision for biking and walking in our community? As a school committee candidate, I would love to see our students and families feel safe to bike/walk to school each day. I recently learned about Bike Newport’s program that provides free bicycles and training to newcomers at Rogers. By providing bikes and teaching students how to get to and from school/jobs/home, Rogers has seen an increase in attendance. This is fantastic. As a parent to two elementary-aged students who are itching for independence and love to ride their bikes, I personally would love to feel more secure in letting them explore. My fear is always cars; especially tourists who may be unfamiliar with their surroundings or checking Google maps. Safe, accessible bike lanes would certainly help my fears. I also greatly appreciated the ‘Newport waves’ campaign as a means to bringing pedestrian/biker/driver awareness to community safety.

What steps will you take to achieve your vision? Specific to my role as a School Committee candidate, I will support the annual Bike to School Day and help bring awareness to the importance of safe, accessible routes for students who walk and bike to school. I will be a champion of the fantastic partnership between Bike Newport and Newport Public Schools and will welcome new ideas for programming that make our streets safer, our students confident bikers, and our community more connected and accessible for everyone.

Carrie Cassady (9/16/2026)

What is your vision for biking and walking in our community? My vision is for Newport students and families to feel safe and confident walking or biking to school and around our community. I don’t think everyone needs to bike or walk everywhere, but I do think people should have safe choices for getting where they need to go. As a teacher, I know how important it is for kids to have opportunities to be active, independent, and connected to their community. That starts with making sure they have safe routes and the knowledge and confidence to use them. I also think Newport is fortunate to have a strong community partner in Bike Newport. Their work with our schools shows what is possible when schools and community organizations work together. I would like to build on that partnership and look for more opportunities to make walking and biking a normal, safe part of getting to school and getting around Newport

What steps will you take to achieve your vision? As a School Committee member, I would start with the things we can directly influence: our schools, our students, and our partnerships. I would work with Bike Newport and Newport Public Schools to expand programs like bike safety education, Bike to School Day, and the Bike Bus. Bike Newport is already doing this work in our schools, and I think we should build on that success rather than reinventing the wheel. Their education programs have already reached students at Pell, Thompson, and Rogers. I would also encourage the district to look at opportunities to make walking and biking part of school transportation planning, particularly when we review bus routes and consider how students get to and from school. Finally, I would listen to students, families, teachers, and Bike Newport about where the biggest safety concerns are and bring those concerns to the appropriate city and transportation partners. The School Committee doesn’t control sidewalks, bike lanes, or city streets, but we can be a strong voice for our students and a good partner in finding solutions. For me, this is really about doing what I believe schools do best: listening, working together, and finding practical ways to make things better for kids.

Connor J. Hourihan

Nicole Shevory (9/4/2026)

What is your vision for biking and walking in our community? My vision is for Newport to be a community where walking and biking are safe, practical, and accessible ways to get around—not just recreational activities. We are a compact city, and if we can make it easier for students, families, residents, and visitors to safely walk or bike when they are able, we can improve mobility, reduce the number of short trips made by car, ease pressure on our roads, and reduce carbon emissions at the same time. This is personal for me. When I worked in Washington, D.C., I biked to work every day. I loved having the flexibility to bike because dedicated lanes and infrastructure made it a realistic transportation option. Growing up on Cape Cod, my family also regularly used the Cape’s extensive bike trail system, and I saw firsthand how good infrastructure can connect communities. Bike and pedestrian safety were also part of my upbringing. My father was a local police officer and served as a school resource officer, and he would go into the schools to provide fun, informative bike-safety programs for students. I saw how programs like that can build safe habits at an early age and strengthen the connection between schools and the broader community. Here in Newport, I love programs like the Bike Bus and would like to see them expanded. But we also need to think beyond individual programs or individual bike lanes. Over the last several years, we have seen increasing pressure on an infrastructure network that simply was not designed to accommodate all of today’s vehicle traffic. Too often, we are robbing Peter to pay Paul—addressing one intersection, development, parking issue, or zoning decision at a time without looking strategically at how all of those decisions affect mobility across the city. I want Newport to take a more comprehensive approach that recognizes biking, walking, public transportation, automobiles, parking, development, and pedestrian safety as parts of the same transportation system.

What steps will you take to achieve your vision? I am already working on these issues through my service to the City. As a member of Newport’s Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee, bike and pedestrian accessibility is an area where I am championing more robust improvements. The Comprehensive Plan is an important opportunity to stop looking at mobility project by project and instead establish a long-term vision for how people move throughout Newport. Similarly, during my time on the Zoning Board, we have consistently questioned applicants about pedestrian access, bike accommodations, traffic, parking, and other mobility considerations. Development decisions may happen one property at a time, but collectively they have a significant impact on how our transportation network functions. On the School Committee, I would bring that same perspective while recognizing the limits of the Committee’s authority. I would support expanding programs like the Bike Bus, strengthening bike and pedestrian safety education, and improving safe walking and biking connections to our schools. I also want the School Department to be an active partner with the City when transportation, sidewalks, crossings, bike infrastructure, and school facilities are being planned. Most importantly, we need to give people realistic choices. Every family cannot walk or bike every trip, and cars will continue to be an important part of transportation in Newport. But every safe trip that can reasonably be made on foot or by bike is one less vehicle contributing to congestion and emissions. Creating those choices requires us to think strategically about Newport as a whole rather than continuing to solve transportation problems one project at a time.

Kendra Wilson Muenter

Robert J. Leary

MIDDLETOWN TOWN COUNCIL

Antone C. Viveiros

Henry F. Lombardi Jr

Christopher Logan

Christopher Rowe

Terri Flynn

Charles R. Roberts

Dennis B. Turano

Leonidas Amarant (9/23/2026)

My vision is a safer, more connected Middletown where residents of all ages can walk or bike to schools, parks, beaches, businesses, and neighborhoods. I would focus on practical improvements such as safer crossings, better sidewalk connections, and sensible traffic calming, while prioritizing the areas with the greatest safety needs.

We should also listen to organizations like Bike Newport, our town committees, staff, and, most importantly, the residents who will be affected by these decisions. I would pursue state and federal funding wherever possible so these improvements do not simply become another burden on local taxpayers. The goal should be simple: improve safety and connectivity through common sense planning, community input, and responsible spending.

Barbara A. VonVillas (9/23/2026)

What is your vision for biking and walking in our community? Primarily safety.

What steps will you take to achieve your vision? Implement specific guidelines.

Paul M. Rodriguez

MIDDLETOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Wendy E. Heaney

Theresa M. Silveira Spengler

Gregory M. Huet

PORTSMOUTH TOWN COUNCIL

John G. McDaid

John Mark Ryan (9/24/2026)

What is your vision for biking and walking in our community? Aquidneck Island is only 15 miles long, so it should be completely navigable by bicycle for recreation as well as commuting. This would entail an island-long bike path as well as connections to bike-safe side streets. As far as walking, Portsmouth is in dire need of a more extensive sidewalk system, which should also connect to Land Trust walking trails.

What steps will you take to achieve your vision? We will solicit input from Portsmouth residents regarding what they see as being needed. We will work with the local DPW and State DOT and apply for grants for these projects.

M. Conley Wake Zani

David P Fiorillo (9/23/2026)

What is your vision for biking and walking in our community? If you’ve ever tried to walk your kids to a park, take a bike ride to see a friend, or just go for an evening stroll, you know how uncomfortable that can feel with cars going by a few feet away. Too many of us end up driving short distances because walking or biking there doesn’t feel safe. I want to change that. I believe Portsmouth should make walking and biking a real priority, so that people of all ages can get around town safely without needing a car for every trip. Sidewalks and bike lanes are the long-term goal, and I’ll keep pushing for them. But those projects take time and money, and I don’t think we should wait years to make progress. There are things we can do now:

• Add more crosswalks in the places people are already trying to cross, like near schools, parks, and shopping areas.
• Install crosswalk signals at busy intersections so drivers know to stop and walkers know when it’s safe to go.
• Map out and mark a safe route through town that residents can use to walk and bike, connecting neighborhoods to the places we all go.

These are practical steps that can make a difference quickly. They’ll help parents feel better about their kids walking to practice, give seniors a safer way to stay active, and make it easier for all of us to enjoy the town we love. The people who live here know these roads best, and I want this plan to reflect what you see every day.

What steps will you take to achieve your vision? Making Portsmouth safer to walk and bike will take steady work, and I have a plan to get it done. First, I’ll work with our Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee to identify the spots where residents feel least safe, using crash data and input from all of you. From there, I’ll push for the town to adopt a formal bike and walk plan, which is what state and federal funding programs look for. With that plan in hand, I’ll work with our state and federal delegation to bring funding back to Portsmouth, and I’ll open a dialogue with the new Governor’s team early to make sure our roads are part of the state’s priorities. In the meantime, there are things we can do right away on town roads, like painting crosswalks, adding flashing crosswalk signals, and marking a safe route for walking and biking. This is how we get real progress, one step at a time.

Juan Carlos Payero (9/24/2026)

What is your vision for biking and walking in our community? I want Portsmouth to be a place where people of all ages can safely walk or bike to school, local businesses, neighborhoods, and recreation without feeling pushed aside by traffic. That starts with safety and common-sense fixes. Transportation is not just about roads and cars; it is about the people who use them every day. When residents point out unsafe crossings, missing sidewalks, or dangerous conditions, we need to listen and act. Portsmouth’s pedestrian-safety work and Safe Streets and Roads for All planning give us a chance to prevent crashes. We also need to connect the pieces. Isolated crosswalks or short bike lanes help, but Portsmouth needs a practical network that links neighborhoods, schools, businesses, recreation areas, and the rest of Aquidneck Island. The Ride Island Bike Plan, East Main Road shared-use path, and Melville Connector can help close key gaps. We should focus on improvements that fit Portsmouth: better sidewalks and crosswalks, safer intersections, appropriate bike facilities, clearer signs, and shared-use paths where they make sense. When we rebuild roads or take on infrastructure projects, we should add pedestrian and bicycle safety at the same time. This work should also connect Portsmouth with Middletown, Newport, and the broader Aquidneck Island network. The goal is simple: to give people safer, more practical ways to get around while protecting the character that makes Portsmouth special. Done right, these improvements benefit everyone: walkers, bicyclists, families, students, seniors, drivers, local businesses, and the community.

What steps will you take to achieve your vision? To achieve this vision, we need to move from planning to action while staying realistic about Portsmouth’s roads, resources, and needs. I will continue to prioritize safety, especially near schools, busy intersections, and areas residents have identified as dangerous. That means listening to concerns and acting on practical fixes like better crosswalks, sidewalks, signage, traffic calming, and visibility. I will continue advocating for additional bicycle and pedestrian improvements in regular infrastructure planning. When we reconstruct roads, improve intersections, or take on major projects, we should look for ways to make those areas safer for walkers and bikers. Just as important, we need to close gaps in the network, so sidewalks, bike lanes, and paths connect neighborhoods, schools, businesses, recreation areas, and other key destinations, not just isolated stretches. To help pay for this work, I will continue to pursue state, federal, and regional partnerships with RIDOT, our General Assembly delegation, neighboring Aquidneck Island communities, and other partners. Residents also need a clear voice in the process. Community input should help identify problem areas, shape priorities, and ensure projects improve safety and connectivity while respecting Portsmouth’s character. For me, success means clear goals with clear results: fewer dangerous locations, safer routes to school, stronger connections between destinations, and a Portsmouth where more people feel safe walking or biking. That is the kind of common-sense progress I will keep fighting for.

Leonard B. Katzman

Alexander Roberts (9/23/2026)

What is your vision for biking and walking in our community? I support developing protected bike-lanes connecting the full length of Aquidneck Island, giving residents a safe, practical way to travel between Portsmouth, Middletown, and Newport without having to share high-speed roads with vehicles. I’d like to see infrastructure modeled on successful protected lanes in places like NYC, with physical separation from traffic and thoughtful connections at intersections and road crossings. This should be approached as a coordinated island-wide effort, working with the other communities and the state to create a continuous network rather than disconnected sections.

What steps will you take to achieve your vision? Routes 114 and 138 are state roadways and serve as the primary north-south corridors through Aquidneck Island. Thus, I believe the state needs to be a major partner in making protected bicycle infrastructure a reality. As a council member, I would work with RIDOT, Middletown and Newport, and local advocates to develop a coordinated island-wide proposal and pursue state and federal transportation funding for a continuous protected bike network.

David G. Reise

David M. Gleason

Keith Hamilton (9/23/2026)

What is your vision for biking and walking in our community? Walking and biking in any community safely helps bring a community together. Portsmouth is a mature community that sidewalks and bike lanes were not originally planned into the Portsmouth landscape. We need to be thoughtful as we attempt to bring more accessibility to town to be able to connect the community better and safer.

What steps will you take to achieve your vision? We are working with various State and Federal partners to find funding to connect the community better. Unfortunately the grants or monies come with a cost that we may not be able to fit into our tight budgets now. We have to make strategic plans to protect our infrastructure in general while we work to bring our schools into modern learning environments.

Sharlene M. Patton (9/23/2026)

What is your vision for biking and walking in our community? My vision for biking and walking in Portsmouth is really about safety, connectivity, and responsible planning. I want Portsmouth to be a community where families can safely walk or bike to our parks, schools, businesses, and neighborhoods, and where our seniors have safe and accessible places to walk. I support looking at sidewalks, safer crossings, bike connections, and other improvements in areas where they are needed most. But we also have to recognize that Portsmouth is unique, and not every solution that works in a more urban community will work here. As a Council member, I believe we also need to take advantage of state and federal grant opportunities while being very clear about the local costs and matching requirements. The Council and the public should understand those commitments before decisions are made. Most importantly, this isn’t about choosing between drivers, bicyclists, or pedestrians. It’s about making Portsmouth safer and more connected for everyone, while being responsible with taxpayer dollars.

What steps will you take to achieve your vision? To achieve that vision, I believe we need to move from talking about biking and pedestrian safety to identifying specific projects and finding realistic ways to fund them. First, I would ask Town staff for clear information about our existing plans, grant opportunities, required local matches, and the projects that have already been identified as priorities. Second, I would focus on the areas where improvements can have the greatest impact—near our schools, parks, businesses, neighborhoods, and locations where pedestrians and bicyclists face safety concerns. Third, I’d advocate for Portsmouth to actively pursue state and federal funding opportunities. When grant funding is available, To have the information early enough to make an informed decision about the local match rather than risk losing an opportunity because we did not plan for it. I also like residents involved. The people who walk, bike, drive, and live along these roads often know where the problems are. Their input should be part of our planning. Finally, to continue working with Town staff, our committees, neighboring communities, and state agencies to develop a realistic long-term plan. My goal is to make steady, responsible improvements—one project at a time—while keeping safety, affordability, and the needs of Portsmouth residents at the center of every decision

Mary A. McDowell

PORTSMOUTH SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Isabelle Kelly

Tasha MacGibbon

Valerie A. Seveney

Brett W. Fox

RI HOUSE

John Edwards, District 70

Michelle McGaw, District 71

Terri-Denise Cortvriend, District 72

Marvin Abney, District 73

Alex Finkelman, District 74

Lauren Carson, District 75 (9/7/2026)

Safe, accessible biking is essential to Newport’s quality of life, whether people ride to work, school, local businesses, or simply enjoy our city by bike. I strongly support Bike Newport and its work to improve bicycle education, infrastructure, and a culture of safety for everyone who uses our streets. 

Looking ahead to the 2027 legislative session, Rhode Island should build on that work by advancing practical measures that make electric biking safer in Newport and communities across the state, including clear and consistent e-bike rules, stronger safety education, appropriate protections for young riders, and investments in streets and bike infrastructure designed to reduce conflicts among cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers. 

With thoughtful statewide policy and strong local partnerships, we can embrace the benefits of e-bikes while making our roads safer and more welcoming for everyone.

RI SENATE

Linda Ujifusa, District 11

Louis DiPalma, District 12

Dawn Euer, District 13 (9/4/2026)

What is your vision for biking and walking in our community? I want biking and walking to be safe, convenient, and realistic choices for everyone, not just people who are comfortable riding in traffic. As a former chair of Bike Newport, I’ve seen firsthand how much this community cares about making our streets more bike and pedestrian friendly. I also know there is more work to do to ensure that people understand that these changes will be broadly beneficial and makes everyone safer. My vision is a connected network of safe bike lanes, sidewalks, and shared paths that makes it easier to get to work, school, the beach, downtown, or just around the neighborhood without getting in a car that is connected to a robust public transportation network. That means investing in infrastructure, connecting the pieces we already have, and making sure biking and walking are considered from the start when we plan and build our roads. It’s about giving people more choices, reducing traffic and emissions, and making Newport and Jamestown safer, healthier, and more connected communities.

What steps will you take to achieve? I’ll keep fighting to make bike and pedestrian infrastructure a priority, not something that gets lost inside a larger road project. I’ve pushed back when dedicated bike/ped funding has been consolidated into road-project budgets. When it’s treated as an afterthought, the attention and design work needed to create truly safe alternatives often disappear which we’ve unfortunately seen in recent projects. I’ll also keep following up on the RIDOT efficiency audit that we recently passed to ensure we’re getting more out of every transportation dollar. And we need to think beyond individual bike lanes and sidewalks. I want to build a connected transportation network where biking and walking work together with public transit, so people have real alternatives to driving. That means connecting our existing infrastructure, filling the gaps, and making multimodal transportation part of every major transportation project from the beginning.

Representative in Congress – District 1

Gabriel Felix Kofi Amo

Pedro Junior Soares De Souza

Kellie Eleanor Keenan

Representative in Congress – District 2

Seth Michael Magaziner

Victor Gilbert Mellor

Senator in Congress

John Francis Reed

Michael Anthony Bahry

Raymond T. McKay