Bicycle ordinance update

A BPAC member thanked the council for the first-in-Rhode Island comprehensive bike ordinance update and said clearer rules will make streets feel safer for everyday riders.

A Rhode Island Bicycle Coalition representative praised the ordinance as a model other municipalities will copy and urged approval.

Bike Newport's executive director said the package was written word-by-word with the police chief and BPAC using best practices, and urged its approval as a state model.

A longtime third-ward cyclist said the ordinance misses the mark on visibility and urged requiring daytime blinky lights front and rear, noting his April workshop comments were never incorporated.

A Second Ward parent who bikes as a family said Newport is built for cars, not bikes, and asked for safer infrastructure so families don't feel pushed onto e-bikes.

A young resident described family biking on Broadway and asked for small street adjustments like more stop signs so bikes can ride safely without e-bikes.

The BPAC chair called the ordinance a great baseline after a multi-year effort with police and city stakeholders and urged approval.