May is National Bike Month. promoted by the League of American Bicyclists and celebrated in communities from coast to coast. Established in 1956, National Bike Month is a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling – and to giving biking a try.
Sign up for Drive Less RI – the new app by RIPTA tracks your commutes and other trips by bike, transit, carpool, walking, scooter, and any combination. Lots of exciting perks (free admissions, discounts, swag and more) AND you can easily find carpools and bike buddies for events! Learn more about the program and grab the app at the App Store or Google Play. We’re already using it at Bike Newport – it’s easy and fun!/sp
Bike Month at Bike Newport
Join us at any of these events, and try some activities designed for you and your friends and family to enjoy on your own. Scroll down for our scheduled dates for Bike Month.
All Month Long
Community Bike Garage
Join us at the Community Bike Garage and you’ll learn how to repair and maintain your bike yourself along with others. You’ll find expert guidance, helping hands and welcoming camaraderie around bikes.
Spring and Summer Hours:
Mondays 2-7pm
Tuesdays 2-5pm
Wednesdays 2-5pm
Thursdays 2-7pm
Fridays 2-5pm
Take a Self-guided Tour
Check out our Maps & Rides Page for bike routes of all types.
Bike Month Bingo – Head out on your bike and see how many you can do during Bike Month. Having fun? Keep it up all year!
Bicycle Scavenger Hunt
Take your bike out into your neighborhood and beyond to see what you can find, photograph them all, and put them all in one post on Facebook or Instagram. Tag @bikenewportri #bikenewportri and contribute to the bike community fun! Good luck and happy riding!
Scavenger Hunt items to find:
- A public bicycle pump (if you’re in Newport, RI, you can cheat by locating one on our Resources page – and be sure to top off your tires while you’re there)
- Cherry blossoms
- A magnolia tree
- A cool manhole cover
- A mural
- A windvane
- A “Widow’s Walk”
- A house built before 1800
- A bike rack that you love
- An historic landmark
- View of the sea
- Someone else on a bike!
Thursday, May 29th
E-BIKE CLASS PART 1
6-7pm at Bike Newport HQ, 62 Broadway, Newport. If you have an e-bike, you’ll be interested in Bike Newport’s free 2-part program: You Have the Power!
Registration is required to participate.
Video and discussion session: Part 1 is the in-person off-bike segment and no e-bike is required), you can also do it online. Learn how to ride and use e-bike power for your safety and the safety of others.
Part 1 classes available in Spanish. Please email gail@bikenewportri.org with any requests. Part 1 online version coming soon.
Everyone who’s riding a bike is advocating for safer streets and bike infrastructure. That’s you! – thanks for making a statement for more and better biking 
Next ride bring your family and friends to enjoy all the benefits of health, happiness and environment.
Why do YOU Ride? While you’re out, take some pics and tag us! We love to see people enjoying the ride! @bikenewportri #bikenewportri
…earlier this month
Friday, May 2nd
BIKE MONTH LAUNCH – On Friday, May 2nd, together with our partners from RIPTA, we will kick off BIKE MONTH with the DRIVE LESS RI app, lots of swag, refreshments, and a ride!
We will be gathering at Newport’s new Park & Ride Lot from 7:30-9:00am for breakfast refreshments and prizes. At 9:00am we will head out for a group ride on the new Shared Use Path, the community named “Aquidneck Island Greenway.”
Saturday, May 3rd
CYCLE FRIENDS– Cycle Friends focuses on good health and well-being, safety, and friendship. The first Saturday of every month from 9-11am at Bike Newport HQ (62 Broadway, Newport), Cycle Friends invites riders of all interests and skills to learn how to take care of their bike, brush up on their bike safety skills, and get comfortable on their bikes. Many Cycle Friends sessions include a group ride!
For more information contact gail@bikenewportri.org
Monday, May 5th
The Get There By Bike- Bike Rack Competition submissions are closed, but now the fun begins! Thanks to the generous partnership of 11th Hour Racing, we will be awarding 5 Aquidneck Island businesses with up to 3 bike racks.
Wednesday, May 7th
BIKE TO SCHOOL DAY – Bike Bus Ride to Pell Elementary!
All students, teachers, parents, and guardians are welcome!
Help us spread the word by inviting Pell students, parents/guardians, families, friends, and community partners to join in the ride to school!
7:45am gather at the Big Blue Bike Barn
8:00am set off to ride to Pell Elementary
8:15am arrive in time to lock up bikes and get some goodies!
8:30am school day begins!
The ride will be led by Bike Newport’s cycling instructors and accompanied by Newport’s police on bikes! Parents/guardians please accompany your student to the Bike Barn in time to sign a required permission slip – thanks!
BIKES, HELMETS, and LOCKS: Students and adults should bring their own if possible. We will also have locks available. Additionally, children up to age 11 can receive a free bicycle, helmet, and lock. Come with an adult to Bike Newport HQ, 62 Broadway during Community Bike Garage.
Bike Newport staff will be at Pell at the end of the school day to ride back to the Bike Barn for those that to do so.
Monday, May 12th
FULL MOON RIDE – sponsored by AARP Rhode Island – Bike Newport’s fun monthly group ride – Enjoy coastal and historic Newport by the light of May’s Flower Moon! Learn more and register here.
Friday, May 16th
BIKE TO WORK DAY in Newport
All activities in front of City Hall 43 Broadway, Newport
Gather your colleagues and bike to work! If you live over the bridges or too far for the commute – drive in and park at the Park & Ride lot – aka Park & Bike Lot 
7:00-9:00am – Commuter Breakfast
4:00pm – Bike Friendly Community updates and Bike Friendly Business of the Year Award
4:30pm – Group ride around downtown!
Friday, May 16th
GEM NIGHT – 5:00-7:00pm- On the third Friday of every month, Bike Newport offers GEM (Gender Equity Mechanics) Night, a time where women, trans folks, non-binary people get their hands dirty and work on some bikes.
GEM Night is a supportive atmosphere for sharing, learning, practicing, and relaxing. Drop in, pick up some tools and enjoy a mocktail with us. For more information contact gail@bikenewportri.org.
Saturday, May 17th
E-BIKE CLASS PART 2: 10-11am at the Newport Traffic Garden, on-bike practice session.
If you have an e-bike, you’ll be interested in Bike Newport’s free 2-part program: You Have the Power! Please complete Part 1 online or in-person before attending Part 2. Registration and an e-bike are required to participate.
Learn how to ride and use e-bike power for your safety and the safety of others.
Part 2 classes available in Spanish. Please email gail@bikenewportri.org with any requests.
Saturday, May 17th
From 12-2pm, Bike Newport is partnering with Child and Family Services to host a Bike Rodeo! The rodeo is at the Newport Traffic Garden (120 Hillside Ave).
There will be a free helmet giveaway, information stations, a course to practice bike skills, and a turtle race! For more information contact gail@bikenewportri.org.
Bike Newport