by Gail Ruscetta, Bike Newport Community Educator
There’s not much quite like the gift of freedom on a bike—and at Summer Bike Camp 2025, campers are experiencing it right here in Newport. These first few weeks have we’ve been partnering with FABNewport.
We start in our safe and supportive Traffic Garden, where campers learn essential traffic safety skills in a space designed just for them. From there, they take those lessons to the road and the trail—navigating bike paths, city streets, and neighborhood routes all around Newport, on their way to awesome City destinations.
“It’s wonderful to teach the campers traffic safety at our Traffic Garden,” Gail Ruscetta reflected, “and then to have them practice out on the road — gaining confidence, gaining skills. To see that skill as we take them on the new shared use path and all around Newport — it becomes part of their body memory, which will keep them safe as they navigate the city.”
Campers don’t just learn—they shine. The energy is high, the laughter is real, and the learning goes both ways.
“I learn so much from them,” Gail added. “They are kind, generous, fun, smart and funny, and it’s my delight and honor to spend these beautiful summer days with them.”
Summer Bike Camp is open to campers ages 8–13.
Throughout the week, campers learn:
- Bike handling and traffic safety
- Basic bike maintenance
- Bikes and helmets are provided for every camper
- Special sessions and lunches with our incredible community partners including: International Tennis Hall of Fame, Rose Island Lighthouse, Rhody Surf, Newport Pride, Jamestown Ferry, Newport Tree Conservancy, Newport Prevention Coalition, Women’s Resource Center, Salve Regina University, Newport Pride Center, and lunches generously donated by Mother Pizza, Diego’s Middletown, the Market on Broadway, and Newport Public Schools.
Community Educator, Gail Ruscetta
An educator and communicator, Gail has coached and entertained children, teens, and adults in the public and private school system, with horses on her farm in Montana, on Public Radio, and from the classical stage. Gail brings 40 years of teaching experience to Bike Newport. She holds a Bachelor’s in Theatre and Speech from the University of Rhode Island and a Master’s of Science in Education from Walden University. A Newport native, Gail is thrilled to be back in this beautiful area, and proud to be a member of the Bike Newport team.
Bike Newport