Where there’s a wheel, there’s a way to biker friendly roads

Raleigh, N.C. — With gas prices inching higher and higher, more Raleigh cyclists are hitting the pavement. The city's roads, however, are not that cyclist friendly.

“It's my transportation way of life,” cyclist Daniel Osborne said. “I ride three or four times a day. I'll ride downtown to catch the bus to go to Wake Tech to go to school."

Osborne is among cyclists WRAL spoke with Sunday about Raleigh's outdated bike plan.

“They definitely need a bike plan. I don't really know if they had one before,” Osborne said.

Raleigh's bike plan was established in 1991.

“Since that time, the city has grown quite significantly,” said Eric Lamb, with Raleigh's Public Works Department.

City officials have partnered with the state Department of Transportation to study biking. Their goal is to come up with a newer plan for cycling on city streets.

There are only two roads in Raleigh with bike lanes, officials said.

“Most cyclists want to ride more than 10 miles, and two roads, that's not gonna be enough,” cyclist Daniel Page said.

“People have to change their attitudes towards bikes too,” Osborne added.

“I think we can figure out how to all be on the road together if there's more education (for) drivers that don't cycle,” cyclist Erin Drake said.

“Our goal is to figure out how to make it less scary,” Lamb said.

The bicycle study is costing the DOT and Raleigh about $180,000. A public workshop on the bike plan was held recently, and more are planned for the summer.

Officials said they hope to have the study complete and suggestions in place by next year.

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Latest Comments

nofear...remember that sentiment when gas hits $5 or more. At least some of use are doing something about it...by not using it.

vbuchanan1969...filtering isn't illegal in all places, and I am not sure if it is even covered in the NC laws. If you have a dedicated bike lane you will be rolling past the stopped traffic.

Rolling Along
April 14, 2008 4:41 p.m.

Wow... Some of the opinions aired on here today by my fellow cyclists have made me ashamed to ride my bike... Filterring through traffic is acceptable to avoid breathing exhaust fumes??? Why not just stay far enough back that you don't breathe the fumes? Filterring is never acceptable! If you are in that big of a hurry, you should have driven a car! I think maybe the police should start paying a little closer attention to some of the cyclists out there. Afterall, if you are entitled to use the roads, you are obligated to follow the rules as would any other vehicle!!!

vbuchanan1969
April 14, 2008 3:56 p.m.

bikes should not be able to be on the roads unless they can keep up with traffic. Bikes serve there purpose at parks, schools campus, and maybe downtown areas. Get off the road bikes, you slow cars down.

nofear
April 14, 2008 3:51 p.m.

If there are going to be bikes on the roads, and have follow road rules, they should have to be equipped with lights, horns, and all safety requirements of any road vehicle.

Johnny Da Lounge
April 14, 2008 2:54 p.m.

Just so others know, bikes filtering forward leads to huge debates among cyclists as well. I've never done it, but that's not to say I would never come across a situation I felt it make sense. (1/4" of snow turned to ice with gridlock all over comes to mind) :) If cars are gaining on me pulling up to a red light, I like to let a couple pass me while we are both going slow, then I can draft them accelerating and move right when they begin pulling away.