Newport’s Bike to Work Day This Week

If you’ve thought about biking to work, Friday is your opportunity. 

May 17 is National Bike to Work Day, and, for the third year, Bike Newport is hosting a day for all to hop out of the car into the saddle – for health, economy, environment, and fun.

Last year, 300 people participated in Newport’s Bike to Work Day, and 70 cyclists rounded the city in the afternoon Community Ride. Bike Newport hopes to see both numbers topped this year with many more people opting to choose the method that burns calories rather than fossil fuels – reducing traffic and increasing enjoyment in the process.

Once again, the Newport Grand is making it easier for folks from farther away or the other side of the Pell Bridge to get closer to town, with “Park ‘n Bike”. Commuters are invited to park in the southwest corner of the Newport Grand parking lot, hop on their bike and pedal the 1.2 miles to Washington Square for the Bike to Work breakfast, before continuing to the workplace.  Or use RIPTA’s Rack ‘n Ride into town. Information on these options can be found on the Bike Newport website: www.bikenewportri.org. 

Bike to Work Day continues in the afternoon with the release of the new Bike Map and other Bike Friendly Newport announcements at 3pm; a six-mile Community Ride at 4pm; and a Bike Fair starting at 5pm. Here’s the full schedule:

6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Breakfast:  Bike riders can start the day meeting friends, neighbors and co-workers at the Bicycle Commuter Breakfast - provided by Jonathan’s Café, Empire Tea and Coffee, and A Market. 

3 p.m. Press Conference on the Courthouse steps: The program will include release of the improved 3^rd edition Newport Bicycle Map, awarding of the 2013 Bicycle-Friendly Business of the Year, and several more announcements.

3:30 p.m. Bike Decorating:  Young and old can rediscover the joys of playing cards and clothespins, stickers and ribbons.

4:00 p.m. Community Ride:  Leaving from Washington Square, a six-mile group ride around Newport. 

5:00-6:30 p.m  Bike Fair: Delicious refreshments from Genie’s  and Empire, fabulous entertainment by Officer Jimmy Winters and Friends, bike-friendly fare, and the chance to register all those bikes with the City. Plus make-your-own-pedal-powered smoothies!

For more information and updates: Facebook: Bike Newport, RI; Twitter: bikenewportri, www.BikeNewportRI.org.