Advocacy
Bike Newport wants bicycling to be a viable, safe, and comfortable choice – and we need the infrastructure to support it. That’s why we collaborate and facilitate with our community, municipalities, state, and federal partners – to build and implement plans to make this vision real.
There are many projects underway at all times – some are visible and some are steadily in the works for long times before they are in view. Patience, persistence, and partnerships are key to progress.
Here are a few advocacy project and program highlights:
Successes
- The first segment (3 miles) of the shared-use path is open, stretching from Newport’s Gateway Transportation Center to Middletown’s Pottsy Field
- The passing of Newport’s Green and Complete Streets ordinance
- The Big Blue Bike Barn, youth-focused facility in the North End of Newport open
- Bike lanes on America’s Cup Blvd, Memorial Blvd, and Hillside Avenue
- Increasing the number of bike racks around Newport and installing Fix-It Stations located around Newport as free repair stations and air pumps
- City of Newport awarded Bronze Award Bike-Friendly City
- Sharrows painted on Broadway, Spring Street, Ocean Avenue
- Night Bright light distribution – making nighttime biking safer for hundreds of bike commuters
- Newport Folk Festival bike lane installed on Harrison Avenue approach to Fort Adams as ridership hits steady 1600 bicycles/day
Current projects
- Implementing the Ride Island Bike Plan to connect bike routes and improve cycling all over Aquidneck Island. Want to learn more? Join the Friends of Ride Island to stay in the loop.
- Partnering with local businesses to make it easier for cyclists to Get There By Bike. More businesses are joining the movement and encouraging people to get to Newport’s best attractions and events by bike!
- Facilitating regional Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Commission meetings with Portsmouth, Middletown, and Newport members
- Upgrading Newport’s Bicycle Friendly designation from the League of American Bicyclists
- Providing up-to-date Action Alerts for the community
The League of American Bicyclists has recognized Bike Newport as “Advocacy Organization of the Year” and awarded Newport as a Bronze-award Bike-Friendly city.
But our work is not done. We continue to work for safer streets in City Hall, at the State House, in Congress, with RIPTA and the RI Department of Transportation, and in our public schools.
The 5 E’s of Cycling Advocacy
Encouragement – Creating a strong bike culture that welcomes and celebrates bicycling.
Education – Giving people of all ages and abilities the skills and confidence to ride.
Engineering – Creating safe and convenient places to ride and park.
Evaluation – Planning for bicycling as a safe and viable transportation option.
Equity & Accessibility – Creating a Bicycle-Friendly Community for Everyone!
Bike Newport