Bike Newport
Bike Newport brings together the two loves of Bike to the Beach – kids and bikes! In addition to partnering on Bike to the Beach New England since the first ride to Newport in 2012, Bike Newport runs wonderful programs for area youth with Autism.
With a mission to bring biking to everyone – Bike Newport works with intention to ensure that everyone who wants to bike can bike – regardless of mobility, cognition, experience, equipment, location… One of their programs is bicycle education for children on the Autism spectrum and with other developmental challenges. Middle School students cross the street from school to the Bike Garage where they happily get greasy working on bikes, gather and catalogue bike parts, learn important vocational skills in the front office, and practice bike safety skills.
“Many of my students have discovered a love of bikes after helping to put bikes together and to take them apart with the incredible staff at Bike Newport. The students love going to Bike Newport not only to work with the bikes but also because the staff always make us feel so welcome and there is never a doubt as to my students’ ability to perform any of the tasks asked of them. Bike Newport is setting an incredible example for all outreach programs on Aquidneck Island with their work with children with Autism as well as other learning challenges. Bike Newport doesn’t just accommodate people with disabilities, they encourage full collaboration and participation!”
-Kerri Lewia, Thompson Middle School Educator
Bike Newport Inspires Bike Dreams
Bike Newport works with incredible young people from Thompson Middle School who SHINE beyond their challenges and LOVE learning, fixing, and riding bikes! They have fun, build confidence, and develop many essential skills along the way.
