*Check back on this page for updated details to come
Did you know that up to 1800 people ride bikes to Newport Folk Festival each day? Wow! That’s the highest percentage of bikes to any music festival in the country!
Join the movement and be part of reducing the stresses of motor vehicles on our beautiful historic and natural landscape – enjoy Newport by bike! Read on for routes, maps, Park ‘n Bike locations, bike tune-up information, and how to volunteer…
Biking to the Festivals
You can skip the traffic and parking hassles – and talk about premiere parking! At Fort Adams, pass all the backed up cars and ride right into Bike Parking waterside on the south side of Sail Newport. Our volunteers and mechanics will help you park your bike and find your way into the festival.
If you’re planning on biking to the festivals this year, here are some guidelines.
- Bring LIGHTS, a LOCK, and a HELMET. You’ll likely leave after dark; your lights will make you SAFE and VISIBLE.
- Expect heavier traffic during the Festivals. Ride carefully, follow the bike route signs, pay extra attention to motorists, and give yourself time to get there safely.
- Newport is known for its history and beauty – but not so much for the condition of the roads. Watch for pot holes and ruts!
- There is no charge to park your bike at the Festivals, though donations are welcome and encouraged! Your donations support the vital nonprofit community work of Newport Festivals Foundation and Bike Newport!
For Updates Follow #BiketoNewportFolk on Facebook & Instagram
Basic Bike Route to Fort Adams
Look for Bike Route signs and follow them to Fort Adams! We highly recommend you also check the map links on this page. They all use the app Ride With GPS so you can access them live or upload them to your phone.
Park ‘n Bike
Coming from out of town? No problem. You can park and leave your car anywhere in Newport where long-term parking is permitted (be sure to check signs for restrictions), or you can head straight to our dedicated “Park ‘n Bike” lot located at Newport County YMCA. We also have temporarily available and limited parking space at Rogers HS for bicyclists during Folk Festival. Please see below.
YMCA
The “Park & Bike” lot at the Newport County YMCA is a very convenient location if arriving from the bridge or the north. Thanks to our friends at the Newport County YMCA, this parking area is available year-round to people who wish to ditch their cars and ride bikes to the many festivals and activities on Aquidneck Island. It’s the Y’s way to extend support of healthy physical activity and stewardship of a healthy environment beyond its campus!
Please enter from Valley Road and travel to the top of the lot, farthest from Valley Road, and select a parking spot in this area. Using this location, we can reserve the closer locations for people actively using the YMCA facilities, and you get a few extra pedal strokes in! Remember to wave your thank you to the YMCA as you come and go.
ROGERS HIGH SCHOOL
This year, due to major construction, parking at Rogers High School is very limited and reserved for bicyclists. Both the Old Fort Road and main Wickham Road parking lots will be CLOSED. There is a small lot at the east end of the high school (see map) with limited parking available first come, first served. Please note that if there is no space for you there, you will need to return to town to find parking.
Volunteers
Want to show your bike love AND get into the show for free? Help out with a 4-hour shift and get a pass for the balance of the day. Please only sign up to volunteer if you are certain you will be there. To volunteer, please email or call us at (401) 619-4900 to sign up.
About Bike Newport
Supporting Bike Newport is supporting more and better biking in Newport and beyond. Our mission is to make it possible for more people to bike more often, by ensuring that biking safe and comfortable and an easy choice for both transportation and recreation. We’re busy bringing you Park n’ Bike, Bike Routes, Bike Maps, Bike Parking, and On-Site Tune-Ups – continuously working to improve and encourage biking for everyone in Rhode Island and beyond – Thanks for being part of the solution!
Cheers to the Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals for being
BIKE FRIENDLY EVENTS!
Disclaimer:
Bike Newport is not responsible for theft or damage that may occur to bicycles handled, managed, or parked at Fort Adams during the Folk and Jazz festivals. The security and protection of personal belongings, including bicycles, is the responsibility of the owners. By parking your bicycle at Fort Adams during the festivals, you acknowledge and accept that Bike Newport is not responsible for any loss or damage. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation
Bike Newport