NEWPORT, R.I. — For years running, the number of people choosing to ride bicycles to the Newport Folk Festival has continued to grow, to a now steady average of 1,600 people arriving by bicycle each day.

The highest recorded number was 1,800 on Saturday, July 23, 2022. At between 16% and 18% of attendees, this now annual percentage is the highest known for any music festival in the United States.

Bike Newport, the local bicycle advocacy nonprofit that routes and supports the bicyclists through wayfinding and assisted bike parking, estimates between 600 and 800 fewer cars on the road thanks to people riding bicycles.

The 2025 Newport Folk Festival is this weekend, July 25-27, at Fort Adams State Park.

Last year concern for improving safety for bicyclists led Bike Newport and the Newport Police Department to establish a separated bike lane on the final approach to Fort Adams. Considered extremely successful by the organizers, bicyclists, and residents, the results of last year’s initiative can be viewed here.

This year, based on the 2024 experience, additional improvements will be added and people bicycling, driving, and living in the area should be aware and plan accordingly.

The map above is a visual aid to the following description.

Background: The steep Harrison Avenue hill — descending westbound and ascending eastbound — is a year-round area of concern on this extremely popular bike route and poses heightened risk and concern with the volume of bicycles and cars sharing the road during the Folk Festival.

The plan for bicycles: There will again be a dedicated two-way bicycle lane between Harrison Avenue at Beacon Hill and the entrance of Fort Adams each day of the festival from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. and again from 6-10 p.m. Between the hours of 3-6 p.m., normal traffic flow (two-way car traffic, no separate bike lane) will be in place and bicycles will be detoured slightly onto Beacon Hill.

The plan for cars and all motorized vehicles: From 7 a.m.-3 p.m., and again from 6-10 p.m., this segment of Harrison Avenue will be one way westbound for motorized vehicles. Anyone approaching this segment from the west or from inside of this segment must head west only and follow brief detours as the usual eastbound lane will be reserved only for bicycles.

For more information, click here.