On a recent crisp autumn afternoon, 26 adventurous ULI Triangle members gathered for a bike tour to explore the bicycle lanes and greenways in and around downtown Raleigh and the destinations they connect.  Daniel Howe, Raleigh Bike Ped Advisory Commission, provided an overview of the Commission’s purpose to make recommendations on the implementation of relevant programs, policies, regulations, and funding priorities regarding walking and bicycling in Raleigh – then the group was off.

The first stop was NCSU’s new Gregg Museum on Hillsborough Street, where Wake County Commissioner, Sig Hutchinson, showed Raleigh’s greenway map and spoke about future trails, emphasizing both the economic development and health impact of augmenting options for safe, active transportation.  Stop two was Dix Park on a hill overlooking downtown where Kate Pearce, City of Raleigh Senior Planner, shared the vision and process for creating a destination park next to Raleigh’s downtown.  Winding through the park, the group next stopped at Boulted Bread on South Street where everyone enjoyed a huge chocolate chip cookie and listened to comments by Mack Paul, Morningstar Law Group, about the development plans in that corridor.  Heading east, the group arrived at Stone’s Warehouse where Jason Queen, Monarch Property Co., share plans for the food hall and townhomes that are currently under construction and slated to open in 2018.

As dusk was falling the intrepid group arrived at Oak City Cycling Project to share beers and socialize, ready to plan another bike tour in the spring.