Bike Newport and the Island Park Preservation Society invite all to attend the second annual Sakonnet Coastal Bike & Stroll for an uncommon opportunity to bike, walk and run along scenic Park Avenue and The Hummocks in Portsmouth, R.I., without cars on the road. Families, children and individuals of all ages and abilities are urged to enjoy this two-mile expanse of coastal road transformed into a safe and enjoyable route for non-motorized movement.

The free community event celebrates public spaces and demonstrates the strong public interest in having safe and connected infrastructure for bikes and pedestrians that is separated from cars. Chris Barker, director of development at Bike Newport and coordinator of the event, said: “Last year’s inaugural event gathered hundreds to revel in the special beauty and inescapable joy of this car-free coastal route, and all are invited to make this year’s Bike & Stroll greater still.”

The event will take place Saturday, Sept. 14, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The car-free route has no prescribed starting or ending point, allowing all to join where they meet it. The route encompasses Park Avenue, from just east of Mason Avenue, through to the railroad overpass at Anthony Road (entrance to Common Fence Point), and connecting directly with the shared-use path to safely cross the Sakonnet River Bridge to and from Tiverton. Parking is available along Boyd’s Lane and Anthony Road at either end of the car-free route. The scheduled rain date for the event, if necessary, is Sept. 21.

Participants are asked to register for free on Eventbrite at https://2024-sakonnet- coastal.eventbrite.com/ to attend the Sakonnet Coastal Bike & Stroll. Drop-ins are also welcome, with liability waivers to sign at either end of the route. Donations are warmly welcomed.