{Event poster designed by Newporter, and bike enthusiast, Steven Sabo.}
Reportedly the best winter party in Newport, Bike Newport Night is back! In its fifth year, the event will again raise funds for dedicated bike-friendly initiatives – Thursday, March 3rd from 6-9pm at Midtown Oyster Bar, 345 Thames Street in Newport.
[contextly_auto_sidebar] Funds raised at past Bike Newport Nights have supported bike educator training, the distribution of night safety equipment, the purchase of high-capacity event bike racks, and the advocacy to achieve the much-needed, off-road bike path in Newport.
This year’s Bike Newport Night, “SPREAD THE ED”, will raise funds for bike and road user safety education. Bike Newport is working with schools, businesses, community organizations, automobile associations, bus companies, and more to improve knowledge and agreements among bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists. Funds raised at Bike Newport Night will support developing school curriculum and training more and more instructors. The more folks who know how to safely be on the road together – the more people who model and share safe practices – the safer our roads and our people will be. Spread the Ed!
Bike Newport Night 2016 will once again be generously hosted by Midtown Oyster Bar with help from Common Fence Music and entertainment by the Slackwater String Band and Los Duderinos. Midtown’s manager, Charlie Holder is ready, “We want to be part of bike progress in Newport, and hosting Bike Newport Night for the third year in a row is what we do best! We hope lots of folks will come out, eat oysters, and share the bike love!”
Adding to the entertainment is VeloSprint Racing – this year run by the crew from Newport Pedicab – the perfect pedalers to encourage these 30-second sprints to the finish. Hop on a bike and see if you can beat your best friend. Projected times pitch the excitement while the bands play on. Thanks to our friends at the RI Bicycle Coalition for providing the equipment.
Dozens of generous area businesses are providing raffle and silent auction items to help raise the needed funds. Everyone in attendance is eligible for the Grand Prize Giveaway – a beautiful new Cannondale Quick 6 bike donated by Newport Bicycle and sized to fit the winner. Owner Christina Erwin is enthusiastic about the event and road safety education effort, “We are glad to support opportunities that help everyone to get the skills and knowledge to ride safely. So, Spread the Ed and good luck winning the Cannondale!”
“Bike Newport Night is our best chance to party for our mission,” says Bike Newport’s director Bari Freeman. “With great fun, great music, great friends, and prizes and oysters abounding, this is our chance to celebrate the partnerships, the progress, and the promise of being bike-friendly and bike-safe. We hope it will be a night to remember all year.”
The party starts at 6pm on Thursday, March 3rd. Admission is $20. Pay at the door – or advance tickets are available on Eventbrite (search Bike Newport Night). For more information, contact Bike Newport at (401) 619-4900 or Mary Ellen Lynch at maryellen@bikenewportri.org.
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