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Wheels in Motion

Wheels in Motion

by | May 1, 2023 | Do, May 2023

Raleigh rolls out a slew of events to celebrate National Bike Month.

Wheels up! It’s National Bike Month, and Raleigh is kicking it into gear with a slew of happenings around town. 

Sponsored and promoted by the League of American Bicyclists, National Bike Month, est. 1956, has been celebrated in communities countrywide ever since—with the City of Raleigh pedaling onboard for the past 15 years. Beyond getting to the cycology of the wheelie fab benefits worth taking a brake for, citywide monthlong events also tout the transportation triumphs of rolling around on two tires.

As a fast-growing community, Raleigh is experiencing more transportation issues than ever, so “it’s important for the City to promote Bike Month because biking and bike commuting are important for the long-term health and sustainability of our community,” says Andrea Epstein, senior communications liaison for the City of Raleigh’s Transportation Department. “The more people that start biking over driving, the better quality of life we create for everyone. By being a fervent supporter of Bike Month, the City proudly stands behind this vision, as well as providing cyclists of all levels and experience the information, tools and encouragement they need to be better cyclists, commuters and champions of cycling.”

In a nod to those efforts, this year, the city rolled out its largest bike mural yet—parked at Exploris Middle School—by local artivist Mayanthi Jayawardena, who installed the mural during April as “an inspiring and prominent welcome to cyclists entering downtown Raleigh,” says Epstein. 

“The City’s participation grows every year,” adds Epstein, “and we offer as much support as possible to our community partners as they are producing events. We also look every year at developing new programs and activities to support our growing bike community.”

So, in support of National Bike Month, here are some off-the-chain ways to rack up some miles and #bikethere on National Ride A Bike Day May 7, or make the most of those two wheels at any of these local events all monthlong.

May 3: National Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day

Ditch four wheels for two! Oaks and Spokes, in partnership with Safe Routes to School Wake County, is offering free planning services to Raleigh schools to participate in National Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day May 3 (or any other day in May). The event inspires kids and families to take an active route to school, and Wake County Schools that register early can get free prize kits.

May 5: Bike Bonanza

As part of DRA’s First Friday, Raleigh Union Station Plaza will be hosting a Bike Bonanza feat. beats, popsicles from Raleigh Popsicle Co., a photo booth, plus plenty o’ other vendors worth rolling out for. To boot, AAA of the Carolinas will be handing out free bike helmets (!); Raleigh Riders will demonstrate tandem bike riding and recruit volunteers for greenway rides; Raleigh Bike Polo will demonstrate and educate visitors on the sport; and Oaks and Spokes will host a bike decoration station and free bike servicing. 4–7pm, 510 W. Martin St.

May 6: Marbles Bike Rodeo

You can never be two-tired for this kid-friendly event hosted by the Marbles Kids Museum in partnership with Raleigh Police District’s Southeast District Community squad and Oaks and Spokes. The Bike Rodeo teaches young riders and would-be riders about bike safety while practicing their riding skills vai obstacle course, plus other activities including a Bike Bling Make Shop, bike swap, helmet fittings and maintenance checks. 9:30am–noon, 201 E. Hargett St.

May 6: Mural Ride & Movie in the Park

The best way to see all of Raleigh’s stunning murals is by bike, natch. Ride along with Oaks & Spokes to see the city’s finest street art, beginning and ending at the “It Starts Here!” mural in Dix Park. Post-ride, stick around for a showing of fam-friendly flick Inside Out. 6pm, 801 Biggs Drive

May 10: Oak City Cycling Basic Maintenance Class

BYO bike on the second Wednesday of each month to learn basic bike maintenance from Oak City Cycling. 7pm, 707 N. Person St.

May 16: Brews and Bikes

Just brew it and head to the Exchange Plaza for a morning treat and coupon for a free cuppa joe from Left Hook Coffee—NTM a complimentary bike tuneup for all DTR employees. 10am–noon, 219 Fayetteville St.

May 18: Third Thursday Cruiser Ride

Slow your roll via this casual fam-friendly ride with Oak City Cycling—a special Bike Month edition of its Third Thursday cruiser ride. 7pm, 707 N. Person St.

May 19: Bike to and From Work Day

Switch up your commute by biking to and from work—with pit stops along the way upping the fun factor. En route, make a pit stop at Oak City Cycling for coffee and mini scones from Yellow Dog Bread Co.—and grab a minor bike adjustment if needed—or swing by Crank Arm after work for happy hour brews. Other pit stops include the Raleigh Municipal Building, Raleigh Union Station and Toole Design Group. Cheers to a more sustainable commute!

May 24: Discover Downtown Sustainability Biking Tour

We’re all for sustainability in numbers. This tour takes riders through DTR’s most sustainable spots, from Moore Square Park to Raleigh Union Station to 301 Hillsborough (which features a beehive and bike room). Post-ride, the City of Raleigh Sustainability Team will provide an overview of its Community Climate Action Plan along with complimentary bevs. 4–6pm, 201 S. Blount St.

May 24: Light Up the Night Ride

Motley crew meets motley hues with Oaks and Spokes and Crank Arm Brewing’s brightest bike ride of the year! Deck out your bike, helmet and clothes with lights and cruise around town before parking it at Crank Arm to enjoy some suds, natch. Bonus: 10% of beer sales will be donated to Oaks and Spokes. Stay flashy! 7pm, 319 W. Davie St.

Throughout May: Bike Month at Forest Ridge Park

More of the trail-riding type? Book it to Forest Ridge Park throughout May for a series of events: Celebrate International Women’s Mountain Biking Day May 6 with a guided mountain bike ride specifically for female riders; bring your kiddos May 13 for a Balance Bike Obstacle Course; go on an intro to mountain biking group ride May 20; or learn how to change flat tires, adjust gears and brakes, and perform general maintenance on bikes via the bike maintenance clinic also May 20. 

June 1: Bicycle Book Club

The bike fun doesn’t have to end with the turn of the calendar page. Stay tuned in as Oaks and Spokes and So & So Books pulls up the kickstand on their inaugural book club, focusing on the cycling book Just Ride by Grant Petersen which hopes to inspire riders to focus on the simple joys of cycling. 719 N. Person St.

River Runners

River Runners

by | Apr 25, 2023 | Buzz, May 2023

WRAL’s Elizabeth Gardner’s dream of having a whitewater park in Raleigh may soon come true.

If WRAL meteorologist and avid whitewater kayaker Elizabeth Gardner has her way, Raleigh City Council will move forward on a transformative 80-acre park with whitewater features as early as this summer. Despite the 20-year quest, Gardner finally sees the light at the end of the tunnel—the project was included in the Raleigh Parks Bond approved last November and could paddle on the scene and be complete in as little as five years. 

Gardner first dreamt up the idea in 2001 when visiting Clear Creek Whitewater Park in Golden, Colorado (a suburb of Denver), with her husband. “We were like, ‘Wow, this is the coolest thing ever. We must have one here!’” As soon as she returned to Raleigh, she started asking questions about how to make a whitewater park a reality. … But it proved to be not such an easy feat (see the full timeline to the right).

Naturally, the Neuse River—specifically the portion near Falls Lake Dam—proved to be the perfect place for the park, dubbed Neuse River Park. While kayakers, tubers and the like can utilize that part of the river as it is now, the problem is with access, Gardner maintains. Due to erosion from the different flows of water released from the dam, there’s currently a lack of access points to load into the river. 


A Deep Dive Into History: In 1978, the Army Corps of Engineers, who are responsible for building most of the dams in the country, and Wake County got together and drew up a plan for a whitewater park in Raleigh—which would’ve been only the second in the world. “Nobody’s around that knows why they didn’t build it,” says Gardner. “It was going to be paid for by the Army Corps.”
In 1998, if Raleigh had gotten the bid for the Pan American Games, the Neuse River would’ve been outfitted for the whitewater competition.

This project would change that, creating at least two access points for kayakers to get in and out of the water and surf through three different rapids. (Fun fact: According to Gardner, the City of Raleigh is also working on a blueway—think a greenway but for water—and in order to get the distinction there must be a certain number of accesses along the river.)

The main priority, Gardner emphasizes, is to get people into the river. With the Neuse being so far from Downtown, at times it doesn’t feel like Raleigh even has a river, but it does. And, soon, it’ll attract residents and visitors of all ages, interests and backgrounds. And not just kayakers.

Previously nicknamed Falls Whitewater Park, they ultimately went with Neuse River Park—as Gardner realized as she was visiting parks across the country —“yeah, there were some whitewater kayakers—but there were a lot more people who were tubing, boogie boarding, swimming and just hanging out on the rocks having a picnic,” she says. “So we decided we would take ‘whitewater’ out of the name because it’s really going to be more like an old-fashioned swimming hole.” 

In addition to the river features, the project will also encompass an 80-acre park. What will go there will depend on the master plan—and public input—but she foresees anything from ziplines and ropes courses to an amphitheater to a brewpub overlooking the water. Add to that the greenway trail that already flows alongside the river and connects to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, nearby Forest Ridge Park and Wilkerson Nature Preserve, and you have an “incredible adventure destination,” as Gardner calls it.

Between the master plan, permitting and construction, it could still be about four years before Neuse River Park comes to fruition. “I think if we had it built in five years, I’d be ecstatic,” says Gardner. But it looks to be promising, and with all the park has to offer, it would be a big win for the city. Case in point: Clear Creek Whitewater Park claims $2 million a year in economic impact. 

“The point of this park is that everybody can use it,” Gardner emphasizes—from swimmers and fishermen to boogie boarders and tubers to picnickers to those simply walking or riding by on the greenway looking to cool down on a hot day. Think of it like a free outdoor playground for both kids and adults—a place where residents and visitors alike can realign with nature and escape from the city for a while. And that, we’d argue, is something definitely worth pursuing. 

20-Year Timeline For The Park

  • 2003: Gardner put together a committee and had a company provide a preliminary drawing and cost estimate for the park. The project received funding from the Parks Bond and interlocal fund. The city ultimately decided there wasn’t enough money to build the park.
  • 2012: $150K from the funds is used for a feasibility study. The project was approved by City Council, but not funded.
  • 2019: Raleigh started organizing another Parks Bond. The Parks Advisory Board loved the project and initially put it at the top of the list. 
  • 2020: The pandemic halted the project once again.
  • 2022: Another Parks Bond passes, and Neuse River Park ends up on the list of parks that would be funded by the bond, with $11 million dedicated to the project.
  • 2023: This summer, City Council will decide which projects will be built with the first round of funding.