Bike to School Day 2026!

May is National Bike Month and as the weather warms, more wheels are rolling all over town.

Make way for the Bike Bus!

On Wednesday May 6th, Pell Elementary students, parents, guardians, volunteers, and staff along with Bike Newport and the Newport Police Department celebrated National Bike to School Day together with an early ride! After gathering at the Big Blue Bike Barn and having some fun on the Pump Track, everyone pedaled to Pell! There they were met with cheers of encouragement, certificates celebrating their achievement, yummy snacks, and awesome t-shirts from RIPTA and Drive Less RI!

Special guests on bikes included Newport Police Officers Crystal Arel and Nick St Lawrence and Pell Elementary Principal Traci Westman! Thanks to all who participated for joining the fun and showing that it’s cool to bike to school!

Bike Busses are way too cool to happen only once a year – don’t you agree? If you’d like to be part of creating a more regular Bike Bus please let us know by emailing Clare Woodhead, Director of Education at clare@bikenewportri.org. Thanks! What is bike bus? Here’s just one of many glimpses of this international movement.

Here’s some of what we heard this morning:

“I like biking to school because I get to see my friends and it’s fun!” – Pell student 

“Biking to school is important so that the kids are in contact with their community. They have to check the weather, they have to be prepared, they have to stay together, they have to understand how cars move, and they get fresh air and some exercise before they have to sit in their seat for the majority of the day” – Pell mom

“I like biking to school because it helps people get there faster and earlier and also gives you some exercise!” – Pell student

“The smiles on these kids this morning was such a joy! They got here with bells ringing and were welcomed by a cheering crowd. What a great way to arrive at school!” – Clare Woodhead, Bike Newport Director of Education 

“Biking to school is important because it’s helping kids to get their energy out. There were a lot of parents out here…everyone was super excited. It was really great to see how happy everyone was. It was awesome. You guys did a great job” – Ellen Pinnock, Newport City Councilor and Co-President ReNewport

We hope you enjoy this fun video of Bike to School Day 2026!