Bike Newport

4a: community building: we work to nurture a culture which effectively supports individuals in riding bikes more often and growing community-wide enthusiasm and inspiration around bikes. Examples of these efforts include "car-free" rides where roads are closed to cars and open to people biking and walking in beautiful and iconic coastal and farming areas. The annual 10-spot ride combines citywide riding with local music, food, and lush landscapes. We practice cultural competency around biking for specific affinity groups, including, for example, spanish-language focus groups, brave spaces for lgbtq+ participants, and specialized group riding with black girls do Bike. Year-round, we have community open garage sessions 3x/week for community members to share knowledge, enthusiasm, and Bike parts to keep bikes in good repair. Open garage participants and other volunteers also join staff in restoring donated bicycles for community distribution. In 2023, we received 335 donated bicycles from the community. Once refurbished, we distributed 414 free of charge to community members (161 for children), all along with helmets, lights, and information related to safe cycling practices. (many more were made available at low cost as people donate what they can to support programs.)

4c: infrastructure: Bike Newport built the big blue Bike barn campus and trails to provide a location away from traffic for people of all ages and abilities to learn and practice safe cycling skills and basic bicycle maintenance while having fun. The campus and trails are on vacant land owned by the Newport housing authority and include a 1/2 -acre recreational pump track, trails connecting into miantonomi park, and a 900 sq ft shelter designed by students of the roger williams university school of architecture.

4b: education: safe and mutually respectful habits and practices by all road users improve conditions for biking and lead to more people biking more often. Bike Newport works with local municipalities, schools, and community organizations to establish and grow bicycle safety education programs. All Bike Newport educational materials, programs and classes are provided in dual languages of english and spanish. Bike Newport also works to ensure that people with cognitive and physical challenges have access to adaptive bicycles that meet their special needs so everyone can participate.

4d: advocacy: greatly expanded Bike infrastructure is essential to expanded Bike use. Separated bicycle lanes are critical to bicycle safety and therefore to bicycle use. Well-designed Bike routes also mitigate unsafe bicycle use. National studies confirm the key role of good Bike routes and other supports, such as bicycle parking, in increasing overall use. Bike Newport works collaboratively in the development and implementation of regional plans such as the ri bicycle mobility plan, Newport transportation master plan, aquidneck island's "ride island" bicycle plan, and efforts to secure federal funding for bridges, paths, and other connected infrastructure.