Bicycling In Newport, Rhode Island

by Vera Thornton

Newport, Rhode Island is a great town for biking: small roads, picturesque landscape, and ocean vistas! It’s a real treat to be able to see the ocean and the world-famous fabulous mansions all on the same ride! Here are some great routes for you to try.

If you travel along Bellevue Avenue and Ocean Drive, you’ll hug the magnificent shoreline and have fifteen miles of scenic pedalling on winding roads past extravagent homes. Bellevue is the long, tree-lined avenue on which you’ll find most mansions, and Ocean Drive travels along the rocky coast. And at the intersection of these two is Bailey’s Beach, accessed only on foot or bike, where you can stop and take a refreshing dip. Or maybe you’d rather take a break at Brenton’s Point State Park, which is just about mid-way on this ride, and where you can get a refreshing lemonade and watch hundreds of kites being flown by young and old alike.

Should you wish to add distance to your trip, the “Newport Ramble” is a 26 mile figure –eight loop around Newport and Middletown which continues on from Ocean Drive. Be aware, however, that the coastal roads outside of Newport can be heavily traveled in the summer. And since you’re right on the water, the wind can be strong and a little cool, even in the summer. Take a sweatshirt with you!

Another popular ride is to Newport’s Easton Beach, also known as First beach, located at 175 Memorial Boulevard. For a more vigorous ride, rails for mountain biking can be found at Arcadia National Park, a 12,000 acre nature preserve about half an hour’s drive away in Exeter.

For those seeking a motorized option, Barry of Scooters on Thames Street has recently introduced the Scoot Coupe, a stable three-wheeled touring vehicle that seats two adults side-by-side and has a top speed of 35 mph. Looks like fun! Giada DeLaurentiis of the Food Network certainly thought so, when she visited Newport for one of her popular Weekend Getaways shows. The queen of Italian cuisine had a blast in the little green scoot coupe!

To arrange bike rentals and get additional touring information, contact any of these local bike shops. Keep in mind that Rhode Island law requires children age 8 and under to wear a helmet.

Pedal Power Bicycle Shop
879 West Main Road, Middletown
Phone: (401) 846-7525

Ten Speed Spokes
18 Elm Street, Newport
Phone: (40) 847-5609

Wheel Sports
436 Thames Street, Newport
Phone: (401) 846-0627

Scooters
411 Thames Street, Newport
Phone: (401) 619-0573

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Pedal Power Bicycle Shop