Cincinnati and its neighboring city of Newport are connected by many things, from bridges and railways to culture and residents. Now, Newport is looking to make that connection more accessible to one group in particular: Cyclists.
Tri-State Trails is partnering with the City of Newport to create a new protected bikeway that would connect Third Street to Eleventh Street for a 0.7-mile cycling pathway through the heart of Newport. From the pedestrian-only Purple People Bridge to downtown Newport, the Saratoga Street Bikeway plans to create a path separate from vehicular traffic to improve walkability and safety.
According to the National Center for Health Statistics’ mortality data, the U.S. saw 937 bicyclist fatalities from motor-vehicle crashes in 2023. Bicycle-related fatalities are most common July through October, according to the National Safety Council.
Current plans for the project include three bikeway options: a shared-use path for various non-motorized users like runners or bikers, a two-way protected bike lane, and separate one-way protected bike lanes. The alternatives include plans to plant trees to line the new bikeway and place Kentucky’s first bike-specific traffic signal on the corner of Third and Saratoga streets, according to Tri-State Trails.
The need for this bikeway was first realized after the temporary bike lanes on Saratoga and other streets were widely supported during the Connect NKY bike project in 2019. The project was further supported by the infrastructure recommendations from a 2024 Covington + Newport Bicycle Transportation Plan.
Cincinnati is rated as “car-dependent” by Walk Score, an organization that promotes walkable neighborhoods across the country. Cincinnati’s bike rating is “somewhat bikeable” with “minimal bike infrastructure.” Newport has been dubbed a “walkers paradise” by the organization, with a “bikeable” rating. Both cities boast a number of bike trails and accessible transportation.
“With an average of nearly 1,900 uses a day in 2023, the Purple People Bridge is the most frequently used trail facility in the Tri-State,” said Wade Johnston, executive director of Tri-State Trails. “This project aims to capitalize on that momentum by extending a safe bicycling connection into Newport that complements the bridge as an iconic regional connection.”
The public is invited to an open house to discuss the project on Wednesday, Aug. 6 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Newport branch of the Campbell County Public Library. Attendees will be able to view project boards and maps and participate in a public feedback survey.
This article appears in Jul 23 – Aug 5, 2025.