Welcome to Ride Island
A Bicycle-Friendly Future for Aquidneck Island
Ride Island is an initiative to advance and support active transportation on Aquidneck Island
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See what took place when Ride Island facilitated a tour of the bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in Cambridge, MA for 25 Aquidneck Island leaders and active transportation experts in May, 2024.
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What is Ride Island?
“Ride Island” is Aquidneck Island.
Ride Island is an initiative to advance and support active transportation on Aquidneck Island. The project is managed by Bike Newport, Grow Smart RI, and Toole Design, and is funded by van Beuren Charitable Foundation.
Ride Island’s goal is a connected bicycle network for Aquidneck Island, which will inherently also support walking and transit.
Ride Island’s plan is based on existing studies* and guidance from community advisors . Missing information was identified and is newly gathered, including the perspective of three group not previously tapped: Spanish-dominant bike commuters, youth, and women who want to ride but are concerned for themselves and their families.
* see Ride Island Bike Plan page 10 for full list of studies
Here are some interesting facts to give context to this effort:
80% of all car rides on Aquidneck Island are under 5 miles.
50% of all car rides on AI are under 2 miles.
24% of all car rides on AI are under 1 mile.*
60% of the adult population want to ride bicycles for recreation and for short distance travel, but don’t because it’s scary to ride in the road with traffic**.
* source: Replica 2021
**Understanding the Four Types of Cyclists, Alta Planning
The outcome that Ride Island is working toward is implemented infrastructure that makes it possible for more people to choose biking – to work, school, the market, the beach…
2024 is year two – ‘Ride Island 2.0’ - when we work with the Island’s municipal leaders and planners to prioritize the plan’s projects; gather, process, and share data; support presentations to identify and expedite improvements; map the routes to funding; and write the grants to get the funds. Information on this site will continue to build to reflect progress.
Where is Ride Island?
Ride Island spans all of Aquidneck Island, which includes the towns of Newport, Middletown, Portsmouth and Naval Station Newport. We are also considering the Pell Bridge and Mount Hope Bridge into our efforts.
Aquidneck Island is the perfect small size for biking and walking. With the right infrastructure, one is never more than a few minutes’ ride from shops, restaurants, parks, beaches, schools, and employers.
Why do we compare with Hilton Head Island?
Similar in size and opportunity to Aquidneck Island, Hilton Head Island is an inspiration.
Hilton Head Island has both a bicycle-friendly transportation network and a culture of riding, benefitting area businesses, people's health and happiness, and the climate.
The Town of Hilton Head Island is a gold-rated bicycle- friendly community that has built its tourism economy on biking, supported by a 60-mile network of bike trails. The community is one of 34 within the United States to achieve the Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community award from the League of American Bicyclists.
Now, it’s up to all of us.
This website is updated often with new information, bookmark us and check back.
If you have questions, please contact Bike Newport.
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