Bike Newport Night is Thursday

Back for its fourth year of raising funds for dedicated biking initiatives, Bike Newport will host the annual Bike Newport Night on Thursday, March 19th from 6-9pm at Midtown Oyster Bar, 345 Thames Street in Newport.

In years past, funds raised at this winter bike party have supported bike educator training, the distribution of night safety equipment to bike-dependent workers, and the purchase of high-capacity bike racks that will debut this summer at citywide events.

This year’s Bike Newport Night, “THE FIRST MILE”, will raise funds for the advocacy work needed to make the much-needed, off-road bike path in Newport a reality! The bike path could connect the North End of Newport with the center of town – providing a safe place for riders of all abilities, and the encouragement and convenience needed to get more people biking.

Bike Newport Night 2015 will be 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 getting ready for the fun, “We want to be part of the bike wave, and hosting Bike Newport Night for the second year in a row is what we can do best! We hope lots of folks will come out, eat oysters, and share the bike love!”

Adding to the entertainment is VeloSprint Racing with the RI Bicycle Coalition. What is VeloSprints? A racing simulator that’s super fun, spirited, and competitive. Hop on a bike and see if you can beat your best friend in a fired-up 30-second sprint. Projected times pitch the excitement while the bands play on.

Dozens of 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 sparkling new bike donated by IE-Cycle of Fair Street, a sales and rental shop that specializes in hybrid electric bikes. The bike has a retail value of $2,500. IE Cycle owner, Judd Katzen, is enthusiastic about the event and the bike path advocacy effort, “We’re with Bike Newport – it’s all about getting more people on bikes, and supporting them with real bike infrastructure. Come on down – and good luck winning the electric bike!”

“We want Bike Newport Night is to be the best winter party in Newport,” says Bike Newport’s director Bari Freeman. “With Dave Passafiume bringing in a great band, Common Fence Music keeping it smooth, Charlie Holder and the Midtown team preparing the best spread in town, and dozens of businesses contributing fabulous prizes and auction items – it’s going to be a night to remember.”

The party starts at 6pm on Wednesday, March 19. Admission is $10. For more information, contact Bike Newport at (401) 619-4900 or info@bikenewportri.org.