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Biking in Newport, RI: Bike Rentals, Ocean Drive & Bike Paths

Newport things to do · Reviewed October 2026

For a bike rental in Newport, RI, start at Bike Newport on Broadway, then ride the roughly 10-mile Ocean Drive loop past Fort Adams, Brenton Point and Castle Hill. This guide covers where to rent regular bikes and e-bikes, the best rides and bike paths on Aquidneck Island, where you can’t ride (the Cliff Walk and the Pell Bridge), and the Rhode Island rules visitors should know.

Before you go: Several rental shops are seasonal, and prices and hours change. Call ahead, especially from November to April. Newport also updated its bicycle ordinances in 2026, so follow posted signs downtown.

Bike rentals in Newport, RI at a glance

Shop Where Bikes Price and season
Bike Newport (nonprofit) 62 Broadway Regular bikes; helmet, lock, lights and bell included; no e-bikes $30 for 3 hours, $55 a day; Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Island Adventures Downtown (Waites Wharf area) E-bikes, regular bikes, beach cruisers; self-guided e-bike tours Summer; e-bike rentals from about $73
Ten Speed Spokes 18 Elm St Bike shop for sales and repairs Year-round; call to ask about rentals

Where to rent a bike in Newport, RI

Bike Newport

Bike Newport, the city’s bicycle nonprofit, rents bikes from its headquarters at 62 Broadway, with a repair shop next door. Rentals come with a helmet, lock, lights and bell, and cost $30 for three hours, $55 for a day, $80 for two days or $120 for three days. Riders must be at least 14, and 14- to 17-year-olds need a guardian’s waiver. It is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and does not rent e-bikes. See Bike Newport rentals.

Island Adventures: e-bikes and cruisers

In summer, Island Adventures rents e-bikes, regular bikes and beach cruisers by the hour or day from downtown Newport, with pickup or delivery. It also sells a self-guided e-bike tour with a GPS unit and helmet. Find it in Discover Newport’s biking guide.

Ten Speed Spokes

Ten Speed Spokes at 18 Elm Street is a long-running bike shop for sales and repairs, phone (401) 847-5609. It has offered hybrid rentals in the past, so call to check before you go.

Mopeds, scooters and Slingshots

We could not confirm a moped or scooter rental shop operating in Newport for 2026. Rhode Island requires a valid driver’s license and a minimum age of 16 to ride a moped or motor scooter on the road, and Newport has moved to limit motorized rentals downtown. A bike or e-bike is the easier way to see the coast.

Biking Ocean Drive

Ocean Drive, also called Ten Mile Drive, is Newport’s signature ride: about 10 miles of coastline, or 10 to 13 miles as a full loop from downtown. Start at Thames Street and Wellington Avenue, or at the end of Bellevue Avenue. Along the way you pass King Park, Fort Adams State Park, Hammersmith Farm, Brenton Point State Park, Gooseberry Beach and Castle Hill, then ride back past the Bellevue Avenue mansions.

  • Road: a shared road with no separate bike lane. It is mostly gentle but busy on summer weekends and at sunset.
  • Safety: ride single file, keep right, use lights early and late, and stop at Brenton Point for the view.
  • Parking: park free at the Park & Bike lot at Rogers High School (Old Fort Road side) and start from there.

Get the free Newport bike map for the full Ocean Loop and other routes. Not up for pedaling? The Scenic Overview of Newport Trolley Tour on Viator covers the same coastline.

Bike paths and trails near Newport

Newport Bike Path

The Newport Bike Path is a 2.8-mile, mostly flat off-road path from Lake Erie Street in Middletown along Coddington Highway and JT Connell Highway to America’s Cup Avenue downtown, with a short spur to Miantonomi Park. There is a free Park & Ride lot along the route.

Middletown beaches loop

A roughly 10-mile loop from Newport takes you past Second and Third Beaches and along Wapping Road and Prospect Avenue in Middletown. Add the short ride out to Sachuest Point for ocean views. See our Newport beaches guide.

Longer rides

The Newport bike map also lays out a Jamestown loop of about 24 miles and an Aquidneck Island loop of about 48 miles for experienced riders. The Sakonnet River Bridge between Portsmouth and Tiverton has a separated bike and walking path.

East Bay Bike Path

Rhode Island’s best-known bike path, the East Bay Bike Path, runs 14.5 miles from Providence to Bristol. It is off Aquidneck Island, so drive to Bristol or take a RIPTA bus with a bike rack. Bristol has its own bike and e-bike rental shops near the path.

For walking trails, see our hiking trails and parks near Newport.

Where you can’t ride

  • The Cliff Walk: no bikes or skateboards. Lock up at the racks and walk; see our Cliff Walk guide and Forty Steps guide.
  • The Pell (Newport) Bridge: no bikes or pedestrians. RIPTA buses carry bikes across on front racks.
  • The Mount Hope Bridge: signs prohibit bikes, so take the bus instead.
  • Park paths: Newport bans bikes on pedestrian paths in city parks.

Rhode Island bike rules for visitors

  • Helmets: required for riders 15 and under on regular bikes, and for e-bike riders and passengers under 21.
  • E-bikes: riders must be 16 or older. Rhode Island uses three classes: pedal-assist to 20 mph (Class 1), throttle to 20 mph (Class 2) and pedal-assist to 28 mph (Class 3).
  • Sidewalks: Newport has barred riders 13 and older from riding on city sidewalks, and the city updated its bicycle rules in 2026. Ride in the street and walk your bike on busy sidewalks.
  • Lights: at night you need a white front light and a red rear light or reflector.
  • Traffic laws: bikes and e-bikes follow the same rules as cars, and fines run about $85 to $100.

Bike parking and buses

You’ll find bike racks at Bowen’s Wharf, the Cliff Walk, The Breakers, Marble House, Rosecliff, Fort Adams, the Tennis Hall of Fame and Second Beach, among others. Free Park & Bike lots are on JT Connell Highway near the Pell Bridge ramp and at Rogers High School. All full-size RIPTA buses have free front bike racks; tell the driver before you load. If you’re driving in, see our Cliff Walk parking guide and free parking guide.

Where to stay for a biking trip

Castle Hill Inn

Right on Ocean Drive, so the coastal ride starts at the door. Check Castle Hill Inn rates and availability →

Brenton Hotel

Downtown by the harbor, close to where the Newport Bike Path ends. Check Brenton Hotel rates and availability →

Hotel Viking

On Bellevue Avenue, an easy ride to the mansions and the start of Ocean Drive. Check Hotel Viking rates and availability →

Compare more in the best hotels in Newport, RI and hotels near the mansions.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I rent a bike in Newport, RI?

Bike Newport rents bikes from its shop at 62 Broadway on weekdays, with a helmet, lock and lights included. In summer, Island Adventures rents e-bikes and beach cruisers downtown. Call ahead in the off-season.

How much does it cost to rent a bike in Newport?

Bike Newport charges $30 for three hours, $55 for a day, $80 for two days and $120 for three days. E-bike rentals in summer cost more, around $70 or higher for a few hours.

Can you bike Ocean Drive in Newport?

Yes. Ocean Drive is a roughly 10-mile shared road past Fort Adams, Brenton Point and Castle Hill, or about 10 to 13 miles as a full loop from downtown. There is no separate bike lane, so ride single file, keep right and use lights early and late.

Are bikes allowed on the Cliff Walk?

No. Bikes and skateboards are not allowed on the Cliff Walk. Lock your bike at the racks near the entrance and walk.

Is there a bike path in Newport, RI?

Yes. The Newport Bike Path is a 2.8-mile, mostly flat off-road path from Lake Erie Street in Middletown along JT Connell Highway to America’s Cup Avenue downtown.

Do you need a helmet to ride a bike in Rhode Island?

Riders 15 and under must wear a helmet on a regular bike, and e-bike riders and passengers under 21 must wear one. E-bike riders must be at least 16.

More Newport guides

Editorial note: This independent guide is based on Bike Newport, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, Rhode Island law, Discover Newport and business listings. Some links are affiliate links, which help support the site at no extra cost to you. Shops, prices and city rules change; confirm before you ride.