Small State, Big Turnout
Each year our small-but-mighty state sends one of the biggest delegations to the National Bike Summit in Washington DC – hosted by the League of American Bicyclists. This year Rhode Island showed up 12 strong, including representation from Bike Newport, RIBike, Providence Streets Coalition, Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, and the City of Newport.
Over three packed days, we joined advocates from across the country for sessions, workshops, bike rides, and walking tours focused on infrastructure, safety, policy, community-building and hot topics like e-bikes, and crash data. We experienced first-hand Washington, DC’s extensive bike infrastructure, learned from national leaders, and connected with peers working toward the same goal: making it safe and inviting for people to walk and ride.
Riding DC’s network of protected lanes, connected routes, and thoughtfully designed intersections was a powerful reminder of what’s possible and within reach right here on Aquidneck Island.
Taking it to Capitol Hill
Always a highlight, “Lobby Day,” is when bike advocates from 44 states walk the halls of Congress and meet directly with their members of Congress.
Rhode Island’s team met with Representative Gabe Amo, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Senator Jack Reed, and the stellar members of Representative Seth Magaziner’s staff.
Our conversations were thoughtful and productive. From discussing local projects to exploring opportunities for federal support, our congressional delegation is informed and interested.
Our 2026 Lobby Day Asks included:
- Maintaining the Transportation Alternatives Program as a standalone program. TAP is the only Federal transportation program designed to fund local priorities. Combining it with other programs risks decreasing funding and reduced effectiveness.
- Supporting the Sarah Langenkamp Bill, which provides states with the flexibility to use safety dollars as local match for Transportation Alternatives projects,allowing smaller and less well resourced communities to access these funds.
- Continuation of the Vulnerable Road Users Safety Act which aligns safety dollars with areas of highest need.
- Increased funding for Safe Streets for All.
Meanwhile Back at the Summit
Nestled in the beautiful Martin Luther King Library, we learned from communities across the country and we confirmed that much of our work aligns with best practices nationwide. The combination of motivation and validation was exhilarating.
Experience matters.
Bike tours and walking sessions stood out. Whether it was a Black history bike tour or conversations with local planners and disability advocates, seeing and feeling infrastructure in action brought ideas to life in a way that feels tangible and achievable locally.
Belonging comes first.
Belonging is about connecting to places as well as people. If we want more people to ride, we need to create spaces that are inviting and welcoming – whether that is a group ride, an education program, or a bike lane. It’s our job to ensure that everyone experiences belonging in all of our initiatives.
Local leadership drives change.
National advocacy is essential, and long-term progress happens locally. The National Bike Summit reinforces the importance of leadership in Rhode Island, working with state and municipal partners to turn ideas into real projects.
Some “Bring it Home!” highlights:
- Improvements to the technology of counting bikes – vital to making our case
- National best practices for e-bike classification and legislation
- How some communities are overcoming challenges to getting accurate crash data
- How to better serve riders of all body sizes
- Continued proof that bike share systems change transportation culture
- and so much more…
Team Reflections
“Riding around DC neighborhoods and learning neightborhood history from local advocates was both educational and fun. Let’s work toward more historic bike tours in Newport!”
– Allyson McCalla
“The Bike Summit people and programs were so inspiring, and our Rhode Island group added valuable perspective. Getting around DC by bike was safe, smart and popular. Bottom line – our goals are on target and within reach.”
– Bari Freeman
“ At the Summit, it was confirmed that state and municipal leaders are instrumental to change, and that we advocates are a vital source of information for conversations about future transportation spending.”
– Chris Burich
“Best Summit yet! We’re coming home with the energy, insights and motivation to make more progress in Newport. We have a great cohort of RI advocates and together we can make Newport and RI more accessible by bike to all people.”
– Clare Woodhead
“It was great to be around other advocates and learn new ideas and approaches. It was also reinforcing to see how much we’re doing at home – from Newport to Providence and beyond – and how much we have to share with others.” – Eliza Lawson
“It was fantastic to get immersed in the national bike advocacy scene. The talented presenters pushed my thinking and left me with many ideas to bring home to Rhode Island. I also got to learn from my new team at Bike Newport, as well as other Rhode Island advocates.” – Julian Bessinger
Bike Newport