Valerie Larkin is a long-time bicycle enthusiast, going back to her undergraduate days at the University of Pennsylvania, when a bike racing friend coerced her into riding centuries. She first came to Newport in 1980 to work for the Navy and to attend graduate school at Brown University. After moving around Rhode Island for a number of years, she was very happy to return to Newport in 2015, especially because her new home is less than five miles from her office. Since then she has been a dedicated bicycle commuter. Valerie’s particular interest is the integral role that bicycles play in sustainable cities and towns. When not on her bicycle, Valerie enjoys tennis, writing, playing music, and being on the water.