photo by Chuck Flippo
Map, Bike Friendly Businesses and shared lanes coming to Spring and Thames Streets – read on!
SPONSORS: B2WD 2013 was made possible by our generous sponsors AARP of Rhode Island and Discover Newport.
THE 3RD EDITION NEWPORT BIKE MAP was released to rave reviews! The new map is double the size and now includes all of Aquidneck and Conanicut Islands, as well as four recreational routes, and is now available free of charge at the Newport Visitors Center, at all area bike shops and at Bakers Pharmacy in Jamestown. Establishments who want to distribute the map should contact Bike Newport.
THE MAP COVER features a wonderfully whimsical and entertaining original illustration by local artist Rafael Medina. All attendees received a free poster of the cover artwork. Posters will continue to be provided to all who sign up to be Bike Newport members HERE. Additionally, 100 signed/numbered high quality prints are available for a $20 contribution. Please contact Bike Newport.
BIKETOPIA: Bike Newport’s web site now features BIKETOPIA, a list of bicycle friendly businesses in the Newport area. If your business is bike-friendly, send us your description of what makes your business bike friendly, along with a bike-friendly photo and we’ll include it in BIKETOPIA.
WOW! – check out Bike Newport’s new “company car.” The A2B I Velociti is a pedal-powered vehicle with electric assist and is a gift from A2B to Bike Newport. The bicycle will be maintained by local A2B dealer, Newport Bicycle. Thank you!! to A2B, representative Ryan Maccione, and Newport Bicycle!
And the BIKE FRIENDLY BUSINESS OF 2013 is … THE JANE PICKENS THEATER! For considering, encouraging and accommodating cyclists consistently at every event; for providing bike parking that also honors Newport’s history and architecture; and for considering bicycling improvements to be in the best interest of the city, its residents and visitors. Thanks and congratulations to the Jane Pickens Theater and its owner, Kathy Staab! The award, a reclaimed mountain bike wheel is enhanced by reknowned local artist Howard Newman and his wife, Mary Newman.
PERK MEMBERS: Bike Newport launched a new membership program called PERK MEMBERS. PERKS are special gifts and discounts provided by participating local businesses. Look for the BIKE NEWPORT SUPPORTER window cling at participating shops, click HERE to become a PERK MEMBER and contact Bike Newport if you’d like to become a business supporter.
ROAD IMPROVEMENT NEWS: Finally, City Councilor Justin McLaughlin shared the news made public by Bill Riccio, Newport’s Director of Public Works: more shared lanes are coming! The city will complete “sharrows”, shared lane markings, on Spring Street and lower Thames Street – likely before the end of June. We couldn’t be more pleased – as marking our roads provides much needed awareness of bicycles being present and having a right to the road. The directional marks also further reinforce the urgency of cyclists to ride in the same direction as traffic at all times.
THE GROUP RIDE: After the press conference, about 45 cyclists joined the six-mile ride around the City – the day’s hightlight! – from Washington Square south to Ruggles and north to Powell. Thanks to our friends at Newport Pedicab for posting this delightful video.
Officer Jimmy Winters was our gurardian angel, first escorting the Community Ride in his cruiser (we KNOW he would’ve rather been on his bike!) and then hopping over to the mike to join his friends from Island Music and Karaoke to wrap up the day at our Bike Fair.
THANKS TO ALL WHO MADE B2WD 2013 POSSIBLE:
Our event sponsors: AARP of Rhode Island and Discover Newport
Our park ‘n bike sponsor: Newport Grand
Our breakfast sponsors: Jonathan’s Ocean Coffee Roasters, Empire Tea and Coffee, A Market, Stop and Shop
Our map sponsors: Discover Newport, Newport County Chamber of Commerce, Newport This Week, Preservation Society of Newport County, Sustainable Aquidneck
Our map artist: Rafael Medina
Our map designers: Lori Bates and Chris Witt
Our Roads and Routes Committee: Mark Chesterton (Chair), Lori Bates, John Buchanan, Pat Clayton, Mick Cochran, Tim Leary, Fr. Tom O’Neil, Pete Rice
Our event speakers: Mark Chesterton, Kathleen Connell, Jan Doda, Christina Erwin, Ryan Maccione, Justin McLaughlin, Evan Smith, Jodi Sullivan
Our Bike Fair friends: Island Music and Karaoke, Shape Up Newport, Team One, Newport Bicycle, Empire Tea and Coffee, and Genie’s Hookah Lounge
Bike Newport