|
12-09-2009, 02:55 PM
|
|
|
|
Location: Townville, PA
94 posts, read 446,106 times
Reputation: 36
|
|
|
Hello all; like so many other people I am looking into the Raleigh area as a potential area to call home. My question is how bike friendly is the area? I would most likely live in an area close to my work, and would prefer to bike instead of drive, especially because of the mild fall/winter. Also, is it conceivable to be able to bike to grocery stores and farmers markets? I understand being a large metro area that there may not be to many neighborhoods where most things are located in a 1/4 mi radius, just wishful thinking. I don't have a particular area in mind, but just a general overveiw would be nice. Thanks a bunch  |
|
12-09-2009, 03:03 PM
|
|
|
|
Location: Poway, CA
2,698 posts, read 11,633,114 times
Reputation: 2244
|
|
|
if the Raleigh area is anything like the Durham area, no. hardly any of the roads have bike lanes, let alone a shoulder. you may get lucky and have bike paths in your neighborhood, though. i'm fortunate enough to live right next to the American Tobacco Trail, but if it wasn't there I wouldn't dream of riding my bike around here.
Mike
|
|
12-09-2009, 03:17 PM
|
|
|
|
3,495 posts, read 5,877,899 times
Reputation: 9986
|
|
|
My husband is a cyclist. The answer is, from my experience, "not really." No bike lanes, crummy shoulders, and drivers who are not accustomed to dealing with bikes.
|
|
12-09-2009, 03:18 PM
|
|
|
|
9,196 posts, read 24,069,293 times
Reputation: 8578
|
|
|
The Triangle is a rather dispersed area - not concentrated around a single core - so while some areas may be "bikeable," it may involve some distance to get from one thing to another. Carrboro and UNC would probably be the best areas, if that's where one would be working.
|
|
12-09-2009, 03:26 PM
|
|
|
|
Location: NC
3,247 posts, read 8,204,189 times
Reputation: 2893
|
|
|
Short answer is NO. Not that people don't bike around here, but I would say it's a little dangerous in most areas.
|
|
12-09-2009, 04:08 PM
|
|
|
|
3,155 posts, read 10,418,056 times
Reputation: 2127
|
|
Before we moved I asked the same question to an old friend who lives ITB in Raleigh... the response was "No, but we do have good hospitals just in case you try it."  |
|
12-09-2009, 04:16 PM
|
|
|
|
Location: See endorsements: https://www.facebook.com/lorilyn.bailey.7/
6,279 posts, read 15,526,520 times
Reputation: 4795
|
|
|
I have a friend who amazes me with her unbelievably long bike rides. She bikes with a whole group, so it's probably safer that way. But she's never ridden to work.
|
|
12-09-2009, 04:42 PM
|
|
|
|
Location: five points area neighborhood
92 posts, read 94,011 times
Reputation: 51
|
|
|
it is not completely biker unfriendly, but it has a ways to go to be considered biker friendly. there are many trails you can ride, but we really need a complete interconnected biking system. one can only wish.
|
|
12-09-2009, 04:43 PM
|
|
|
|
1 posts, read 1,764 times
Reputation: 10
|
|
Commuter Cycling Sucks in the Triangle.
If cycling is a deal breaker for you, I would definitely not move here. Cars are generally large and moving fast and they are not looking for cyclists.
Employers often don't provide good facilities either (e.g. I work for a very large employer in the Triangle. Their operation in the UK has massive dedicated facilities for cyclists, including ironing boards, free towels, toiletries, a bike store in the building with mechanics providing free tune ups and financial incentives / shopping vouches for cyclists and buying a bike for commuting is tax deductable). Whereas here, you get nothing.
Another consideration is the cell phone laws. I lived in NJ and was amazed that NC still allows drivers to use cell phone while driving. That's not what a cyclist wants to hear when they can be killed in an instant. All in all it's just not worth cycling here as a commuter. Sorry.
|
|
12-09-2009, 04:48 PM
|
|
|
|
1,495 posts, read 3,596,519 times
Reputation: 1417
|
|
|
as an avid cyclist I would have to chime in and say "no" but there are some wonderful greenways that you can avoid the congestion on. I cyclist the roads out by Falls Lake and we do our best to share the road but it's not always easy...chances are you would be out there with the cars riding to work but I've never let that stop me.
|
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
|
|
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
