To the Editor:
What an amazing day! We want to thank everyone who made Elliot’s Ride for Everyone such a success.
On Saturday, June 6th, Bike Newport presented “Elliot’s Ride for Everyone – the annual event when the iconic Ocean Drive closes to cars and opens to people biking, walking, rolling and strolling – creating access and enjoyment of one of the northeast’s most beautiful locations. The perfect weather complemented the fun as people of all ages and abilities pedaled bikes, pushed strollers, rollerbladed, and hiked along Ocean Avenue and Hazard Road – all safely without cars. Elliot’s Ride for Everyone honors Elliot Kaminitz – a bicycle enthusiast and safe cycling advocate who lost his life in 2012 while riding near Easton’s Beach – by demonstrating a safe space for people to enjoy a beautiful outdoor experience separated from motor vehicles, while gathering support for longer-term infrastructure improvements.
We want to thank everyone who made this experience possible: Sponsors: the Kaminitz Family, Corrigan / Savant Financial, Neighbors Welcome, Standard Modern / Reynolds de Walt Printing, Whats Up Newp. Speakers: US Representative Gabe Amo, Newport Mayor Charlie Holder, Superintendent of Schools Colleen Jermain, safe cycling advocate Renee Kaminitz. Other dignitaries present: RI Senator Dawn Euer, Newport City Councilor Stephanie Smyth, Newport City Council Candidate Emily Conklin. The Newport Police Department, Newport City Council, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, and the City’s Department of Public Works, as well as the residents of the area, all of the volunteers, the Bike Newport family of staff and board members, and, of course, all who participated!
It does indeed take a village – a city, in fact. We are very grateful to all who made Elliot’s Ride such a special day and to all who work toward safer streets for all.
Bari Freeman Executive Director, Bike Newporton behalf of the Bike Newport Board and Staff
