On September 16th, the Newport City Council will review a package of recommended ordinance updates related to bicycles.
The recommendations will be presented by the Director of Public Safety, Chief of Police Ryan Duffy, and will address bicycle operations, bicycle equipment, bicycle safety, bicycle / vehicle engagement, and related definitions.
According to the Request for City Council Action submitted by Michael A.Caruolo, Deputy City Manager:
In June of 2023, representatives from the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission, Bike Newport and the Police Department began to collaborate on a project to update the City ordinances with regard to bicycle related issues. The collaborative group met periodically for many months to outline recommended changes to City ordinances in order to bring Newport’s ordinances consistent with contemporary multi-modal philosophies and eliminate outdated processes.
On April 13, 2026 a City Council Workshop was held to discuss the proposed changes to City ordinance. Upon receiving Council and community feedback, changes were made to the original proposal as well as plans made for future adjustments to address other micro-mobility means of transport.
You can review the recommendations and related resolutions here: Action Item #6678/26.
The meeting on Wednesday, September 16th, begins at 6:30pm in Council Chambers at City Hall, 43 Broadway, Newport, RI.
The package includes but is not limited to:
- Definitions: 25 additions and improvements
- Improvements related to Traffic Control Signals, including:
- Improving ordinances by separately addressing motor vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles
- addressing when and how bicyclists are permitted to cross an intersection using a pedestrian signal
- Broadening some references from “drivers” to “road users”
- Adding bike lanes to parking prohibitions
- Making bicycle registration a recommendation rather than a requirement, with a purpose of helping to identify lost, stolen, and found bicycles
- Establishing a maximum speed of 15mph on bicycle paths and trails
- Establishing the requirement for bicycle rental agencies to collect signed affidavits of understanding regarding the City’s ordinances from renters
- Clarifying unsafe passing of a bicycle
- Requiring drivers to check the road before opening a car door
The proposed ordinance improvements represent:
- Several years of collaborative work by bicycle riders, advocates, and public safety experts.
- Attention to proven best practices in municipalities and states nationwide.
- Reflection of recommended best practices by the Federal Highway Administration.
- A valuable comprehensive update that will serve as a model of current practices for other municipalities.
People who have the personal experience of riding bicycles in Newport have valuable perspective to share with Newport’s City Councilors regarding these recommendations for improved public safety. Please review the ordinance updates and consider providing testimony at this time.
ALSO ON THE DOCKET:
Action Item #6676/26 Request to authorize additional $6M in Federal Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Funds
Following Portsmouth’s reduction in the scope and budget of its SS4A projects, and Middletown’s decision not to pursue the available funds, Newport has the opportunity to add up to $7.52 million in project funding to its allocation, consisting of $6.02 million in additional federal funds and approximately $1.50 million in additional local match.
These funds are vital to making progress on numerous mobility plans already adopted by the City of Newport, including: Keep Newport Moving, Ride Island, the Rhode Island Bicycle Mobility Plan, and Newport’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan (currently being updated), and Newport’s North End Urban Plan.
Bike Newport