Photo source: Milah – enjoy!
When Rhode Island’s statewide legislative session ended on June 11th, seven bills in the House of Representatives and three bills in the Senate had been proposed to make bicycling safer, more accessible, and more inviting.
Bike Newport was part of a statewide effort to advance bills about investments in infrastructure, classification and management of e-bikes, release of crash data, and improved funding for RIPTA. Here is a review of all of the bills, their intended purpose, and the result in the General Assembly.
H7499& H7984 – Efficiency Audit of Rhode Island Department of Transportation
Summary: These bills were submitted by legislators to require an efficiency audit of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, similar to an audit required of the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority in 2025. H7499 would require an audit led by the Department of Administration and H7984 would require an audit led by an independent party.
While both bills were held for further study, Bill H7127A (the budget for fiscal year 2027) includes a combination of the two bills, requiring an audit of the efficiency and performance of RIDOT to be conducted by the Office of Internal Audit and Program Integrity of the Rhode Island Department of Administration. The budget with this provision included passed unanimously in the House of Representatives and the Senate and signed by Governor McKee.
Result: Success!
H7672 – Special Stops Required
Summary: This bill would require the Department of Transportation to erect stop signs for drivers of motor vehicles.on state highways at intersection with bike paths.
Result: Held for further study by the House State Government & Elections Committee
H7670– Operation of a Bicycle (Idaho Stop)
Summary: This bill would allow bicyclists to proceed through an intersection without stopping, after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding the right-of-way to other vehicles. Also known as the Idaho Stop. Fact sheet: Bicyclist Stop as Yield Fact Sheet
Result: Held for further study by the House State Government & Elections Committee
H7789 and S2604 – Definitions and General Code Provisions – for E-Bikes
Summary: These bills proposed numerous changes to definitions and provisions regarding e-bikes, mopeds, electric skateboards, retail requirements, age restrictions, and more. Of special note: proposed addition of a Class 4 E-bikes, which Bike Newport opposes. Bike Newport helped to simplify/amend the bills to include only a standalone age restriction of 16 years and a requirement for retailers to display e-bike classification information, with the balance of the provisions to be held for further study. Amended bill H7789A passed unanimously in the House of Representatives. Senate bill S2604 was not amended.
Result: Held for further study by the Senate Judiciary Committee
H8098 & S2942– Stop Super Speeders Accountability Act
Summary: This bill would require installation of an Intelligent Speed Assistance device (ISA) as a sentencing option for drivers charged with certain driving violations, such as reckless driving and multiple moving offenses. Virginia, Georgia and Washington passed similar legislation, while New York, Arizona, Maryland, and California have similar legislation pending approval from general assemblies and governors.
Result: Held for further study by the Senate and House Judiciary Committees
H8298– Bike Bond Bill
Summary: This bill would authorize a $25 million general obligation bond to fund the Statewide Bicycle Mobility Plan. Only 1.7% of the plan has been implemented since it was adopted in December 2020..
Result: Held for further study by the House Finance Committee
H8197-Sales Tax Exemption for Bicycles
Summary: This bill would exempt new and used bicycles and bicycle parts from sales and use taxes, similar to the tax exemption for airplanes and boats.
Result: Held for further study by the House Finance Committee
H7576 & S2480– Access to Public Records – Crash Data
Summary: This bill would declare data from traffic collisions as public records. Previously, RIDOT used ambiguity in the state’s Access to Public Records Act (APRA) to withhold the municipal and state crash data it collects.
The legislation passed unanimously in the House of Representatives, passed 33 to 5 in the Senate, and signed into law by Gov. Dan McKee on June 19th. This legislation closes the loophole, bringing Rhode Island in line with 42 other states that already make state traffic accident data publicly available. This is a big win for government transparency and safer streets!
Result: Success!
RI Budget FY2027 – Restored Funding for RIPTA
Summary: After suffering deep funding challenges post-pandemic and major service cuts in 2025, FY 2026 was a nonstop effort to Save RIPTA with desperately needed funding and to restore services. At session end, Rhode Island’s FY2027 state budget closes RIPTA’s previously projected $14 million operating deficit. Lawmakers resolved the shortfall by implementing a significant annual increase in Highway Maintenance Account funds. They also invested in improvements to bus shelters and stops and removed the Department of Transportation (RIDOT) director from the chair of the RIPTA board to address conflicts of interest.
While the new funds balance RIPTA’s budget, the revised budget does not restore the sweeping service cuts enacted in 2025.
From the End of Session Statement by Providence Streets Coalition:
The additional $4.2 million allocated to RIPTA above the Governor’s proposed budget represents the realization that the “right sizing” of RIPTA was wrong from the start, and transit users deserve a functioning system. Still, this investment is an incremental step toward reversing the 2025 service cuts. We look forward to continuing to work with RIPTA, lawmakers, and advocates to make the agency whole, and set them on a trajectory for long-term and sustainable growth and success.
Result: Significant Success – more work to do!
Ongoing Advocacy
Successes in the Crash Data, RIDOT Efficiency Audit, and RIPTA funding involve time-consuming and persistent work by legislators and advocates. Bike Newport participates in legislative efforts with research, reports on best practices, community engagement, and advocacy to move bills that advance active transportation into law.
RI’s next legislative session begins in January of 2027. Between now and then, be on the lookout for Action Alerts and calls for volunteers. If you haven’t already, please sign up for our mailing list at bikenewportri.org/subscribe.
Aquidneck Island now had three active Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commissions. All meetings are open to the public and participation is encouraged. Find information at these sites: Newport, Middletown, Portsmouth. Stay apprised of statewide transportation efforts through the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC).
Thanks to the organizations, legislators, community members, and businesses who advocate for progress. The statewide coalition continues to grow and Bike Newport is proud to help lead the charge for better biking in our community and across the Ocean State.
Bike Newport