Council approves comprehensive bicycle ordinance updates after months of stakeholder input

The Newport City Council voted to approve a comprehensive package of bicycle ordinance revisions after a session of questions and public comment.

The ordinance package, described by administration as a 27‑page update, revises definitions, bicycle equipment requirements, rules for sidewalk riding and traffic interactions and other related provisions. "We wrote this package with the Chief," Barry Freeman, executive director of Bike Newport, told the council, saying Bike Newport, the police department and BPAC crafted the language "word by word" using best practices.

Councilors asked specific questions about geographic scope and enforcement. Councilor David Carlin said he was concerned some parts of Spring Street and the General Business District might be omitted from certain prohibitions and asked the solicitor and administration to ensure the final legal drafting fills any gaps. Chief Ryan Duffy said the draft was intended to be citywide but acknowledged potential drafting gaps.

Carlin also raised limits on municipal authority over motorized e‑bikes. "We as a municipality without the state's permission... cannot assess a fine to those individuals," Carlin said, noting state law currently constrains local enforcement. The solicitor and the chief said the General Assembly controls enabling authority; the package includes updated e‑bike definitions but enforcement options may require state action.

Commission members and advocates urged approval. Tara Zambrada, chair of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission, said the rules reflected a multi‑year stakeholder process and called the package a baseline the city can refine. Jim Fry of the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Commission said the updates will contribute to making streets safer, while resident Pete Rice urged adding daytime visibility requirements ("lights in the daytime") to improve safety.

Council took a voice vote and the chair announced, "Ayes have it," approving the ordinance package. Administration and council members noted the ordinance is not "written in stone" and edits can be made following approval.

The ordinance now advances to final drafting and implementation steps; the council did not record a roll‑call vote tally in the transcript.