BikeWalkNC

North Carolina’s advocate for safe cycling and walking

Advocacy

Call to Action: community feedback for 2026-2035 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP)

The N.C. Department of Transportation is inviting the public to provide feedback on the quantitative scores and preliminary local input points assignments for the transportation projects for the upcoming 2026-2035 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The STIP is developed under the Strategic Transportation Investments (STI) law, which established the Strategic Mobility Formula.

As part of this effort, NCDOT is hosting 14 regional outreach sessions across the state between June 18 and July 10 to gather input on the locally identified priorities and points assignment methodologies. These sessions will help shape the Draft STIP due next year. You can find a short video about this outreach effort HERE.  

If you are unable to attend a session in person, you can  submit your comments electronically HERE. All information along with links to the MetroQuest site can be found at NCDOT: 2026-2035 STIP Development.  Additionally, BikeWalk NC has developed a short video explaining in detail the process of sharing comments on the STIP, which can be found HERE.

Please note: Due to the amount of data on the survey map, the survey can only be accessed​ on a desktop computer or tablet​.

Public feedback is crucial to the development of North Carolina’s transportation network. Your participation ensures that the STIP reflects the needs and priorities of our communities. Please share this information with your constituents, members, and/or staff to maximize public outreach. The public comment period will run from June 17 – July 17, 2024.

After NCDOT releases the regional project scores later this summer, we will prioritize division-level projects. Once all project scores are finalized, the highest-scoring projects will be programmed based on available funding and other factors such as the completion of environmental studies, engineering plans, corridor spending caps, and federal and state funding restrictions. This information will be used to create the 2026-2035 STIP.

For more information on the STIP development, please visit our website at NCDOT: State Transportation Improvement Program.

Thank you for your involvement and commitment to improving our transportation infrastructure.

New PSA from BikeWalkNC: We are all IN THIS TOGETHER

BikeWalkNC has launched its first-ever Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign aimed at promoting traffic safety with the powerful tagline “In This Together.”

The PSA, developed in collaboration with renowned filmmakers and safety experts, underscores the importance of mutual respect and cooperation among all road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. It highlights the shared responsibility we all have in creating safer streets and fostering a culture of mutual understanding and empathy on the roads.

The PSA features compelling visuals and narratives depicting real-life scenarios where cooperation and understanding among pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists lead to safer outcomes. By emphasizing the interconnectedness of all road users and the need for mutual respect, the campaign seeks to foster a culture of empathy and solidarity on the streets of North Carolina, especially as we approach Bike Month and the Ride of Silence.

BikeWalkNC encourages individuals and communities across North Carolina to join the movement for safer streets by sharing the PSA on social media platforms and engaging in conversations about traffic safety. By amplifying the message of “In This Together,” we can create a ripple effect of positive change and build a safer, more inclusive transportation network for all.

To view the “In This Together” PSA and learn more about BikeWalkNC’s initiatives, please watch the video below.

BikeWalk NC Call to Action

Contact your local City Council or Board of Commissioners and ask them to restore Bicycle Pedestrian Funding in their 2024 Legislative agenda.

You are needed NOW to act so your communities can get state funding for sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes and access to parks and greenways. Current law prohibits this from happening.  Right now most city councils and boards of county commissioners are holding their annual retreats to discuss budget priorities and legislative agendas for the state.  Since 2013, the NC General Assembly has banned state funds to be used for stand alone active mobility projects. That means those gaps in sidewalks, unmarked pedestrian crossings, bike lanes, and safe access to parks and greenways on state roads are ineligible for state funds as stand alone projects. This legislative act has not only prevented our communities from becoming places that are easier to navigate without a car, they have resulted in deaths and serious injuries of vulnerable road users across the state, in urban and rural areas alike.  The time is NOW to act locally to impact the state legislature, but more importantly to help educate your local officials so they can take this to the legislators in Raleigh.

You can find a sample letter to send to your City Council Member/Commissioner HERE.

Timing is everything: contact your elected officials today!

Save the date! BikeWalk NC’s 13th Transportation Summit, September 22–24, 2024

We can’t wait to see you in Chapel Hill for the 2024 NC BikeWalk Transportation Summit!

We will be releasing more details in the coming weeks and months, but here are some key details.

What is the NC BikeWalk Transportation Summit?

The Summit is a multi-day conference that focuses exclusively on the safety, health, community design, and equity dimensions of active mobility. The event features both nationally recognized and regional presenters. It also offers interactive, “hands on” tools and experiences that attendees can bring back to their own communities. The BikeWalk Transportation Summit is a valuable educational and networking resource for anyone who cares about creating safer streets and healthier, more equitable communities for all road users.

Who Should Attend the Summit?

The summit offers valuable information for transportation planners, elected officials, students of City Planning and Public Health programs, road engineers, planning consultants, nonprofit advocates, health promotion personnel, bike/ped professionals, nonprofit trail groups, and others who are interested in safer roads and transportation options.

Where will the Summit be held?

The Summit’s primary venue will be the Friday Conference Center at UNC in Chapel Hill, NC, with several offsite educational and social opportunities. A room block has been secured at the aLoft Chapel Hill — (919) 932-7772 – $130/night — within walking distance of the venue. Reservations at the group rate can be made here.

Where do I get more information about registration, content and other details?

We will continue to share additional information through email, social media and various communications. You can also check in at the BikeWalk NC’s 2024 Summit webpage for periodic updates.

We look forward to seeing you in Chapel Hill in September.

NCDOT Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety Task Force Releases Best Practices

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) just released the manual “Motorists and Bicyclists: Best Practices for Road Safety,” the first in a series of “Best Practices for Road Safety” manuals being developed by several NCDOT Safety Task Forces comprised of government and non-profit advocacy representatives. The goal of the document series is to identify best practices for all roadway users interacting with each other in different scenarios in and along North Carolina roadways.

NCDOT Motorists and Bicyclists: Best Practices for Road Safety manual addresses how motorists and bicyclists should interact with each other in the roadway environment.

BikeWalkNC was proud to work closely with staff at NCDOT, and the Executive Committee for Highway Safety over the course of 15 months to create this important update.  We hope that you will spend some time with this document to improve your knowledge of roadway safety.  

Prior to working on the Best Practices manual, NCDOT’s Integrated Mobility Division and BikeWalk NC partnered to create a series of educational videos about bicycle safety.

Each video contains important tips for safe cycling.

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