Raleigh Greenways for Emergency Transportation

[FlatFender]

Something that I don't think most people are even aware of is the greenway system in Raleigh. I think they could really be an important way to get around town in a scenario where roads are closed, etc.

https://www.raleighnc.gov/parks/con.../Articles/CapitalAreaGreenwayTrailSystem.html

There's a cell phone app called Rgreenway that has very accurate maps of the entire greenway system, and will show you where you are in relation to everything.

It's amazing to me how thorough the greenway system is. I can leave my home in Knightdale, ride my bike just a couple blocks to the greenway, and ride all the way up to Falls Dam, or all the way down to Clayton, or across town to Lake Johnson, or even up through Umstead Park and into the Cary greenway system with maybe one or two road crossings.

Almost all of the road crossings go under under-passes, and there's only a few places where you actually have to stop and look for traffic.

I think if you're a Raleigh area person, getting familiarized with the greenway system could really be beneficial if you're in a situation where roads are closed and you're on foot walking home.

 

[FlatFender]

For example, here's a 34 mile bicycle ride I took a few months back, all of this was on the greenways, with probably 2-3 road crossings.

This is by no means all of the greenways out there either, I think the capitol area greenway has something like 120 miles of greenway, AND it connects to the Cary greenway system, etc.

 

[Tim]

That is a great resource, not even considering emergency use.

 

[FlatFender]

That is a great resource, not even considering emergency use.

Yeah, and it's always expanding, which is awesome too. The Knightdale leg is supposed to expand further east out to Wendell where it will eventually connect to 10 miles of mountain bike trails, which really has me excited.

 

[Bocephus]

Yep, love the greenways. The part in Clayton actually connects with my subdivision, so I can walk or hop on a bike and be on it in minutes. It is my favorite place to take the kids or dogs and it definitely part of my get home plan

 

[FlatFender]

Yep, love the greenways. The part in Clayton actually connects with my subdivision, so I can walk or hop on a bike and be on it in minutes. It is my favorite place to take the kids or dogs and it definitely part of my get home plan

Lol, we've probably passed each other a time or two.

 

[steelciocc]

I don't know what it's called but the Greenway that runs behind Crabtree Mall runs right past my office. I'm rarely in the office but your post has inspired me to research if I might be able to use the Greenway system to get me to the railroad route I plan to use to get me home 70 miles south of the big city.

 

[FlatFender]

I don't know what it's called but the Greenway that runs behind Crabtree Mall runs right past my office. I'm rarely in the office but your post has inspired me to research if I might be able to use the Greenway system to get me to the railroad route I plan to use to get me home 70 miles south of the big city.

The trail behind Crabtree goes north a little ways and dead ends, or south to the McDonalds and you can then hear up toward the Art Museum, or the other way down the Crabtree Creek trail and over to east Raleigh, or even down to Clayton on the Neuse River Trail.

 

[steelciocc]

Well, now that you mention it it's the Crabtree Creek Trail that runs by the office. Ima research it!!

 

[CZfool68]

I must be the crotchety guy in the group. I don't want greenways anywhere near my house. Yes, it may help you get around in an emergency, but it also allows others to get to your location. And it allows them a nice way to get away without having to travel the major roads. I applaud being aware and using it in an emergncy, but there is a downside. Also keep in mind that most greenways aren't really policed. So there can be good and bad in that depending on your situation.

 

[Bunsen]

I must be the crotchety guy in the group. I don't want greenways anywhere near my house. Yes, it may help you get around in an emergency, but it also allows others to get to your location. And it allows them a nice way to get away without having to travel the major roads. I applaud being aware and using it in an emergncy, but there is a downside. Also keep in mind that most greenways aren't really policed. So there can be good and bad in that depending on your situation.

You're not wrong. The greenway runs past my subdivision. It's used by a LOT of people and not just for recreation and exercise. I'm glad my property does not back up to it.

 

[FlatFender]

I must be the crotchety guy in the group. I don't want greenways anywhere near my house. Yes, it may help you get around in an emergency, but it also allows others to get to your location. And it allows them a nice way to get away without having to travel the major roads. I applaud being aware and using it in an emergncy, but there is a downside. Also keep in mind that most greenways aren't really policed. So there can be good and bad in that depending on your situation.

I see the local PD patrolling on bicycles and golf carts quite frequently, around here anyways. But yeah, if you think I'm out riding the greenways unarmed, you're a fool.

 

[bigfelipe]

I must be the crotchety guy in the group. I don't want greenways anywhere near my house. Yes, it may help you get around in an emergency, but it also allows others to get to your location. And it allows them a nice way to get away without having to travel the major roads. I applaud being aware and using it in an emergncy, but there is a downside. Also keep in mind that most greenways aren't really policed. So there can be good and bad in that depending on your situation.

Yeah, there's a lot of crime on them around SE Raleigh where I live. I use them a bit when kayaking and riding my bike, but I'm always armed and head on a swivel...

Still FlatFender is right. They're a good low key asset for getting around. Things get squirrely and folks won't be out on them for pleasure anyhow. You can cover ground fast the way they are designed...

 

[FlatFender]

I must be the crotchety guy in the group. I don't want greenways anywhere near my house. Yes, it may help you get around in an emergency, but it also allows others to get to your location. And it allows them a nice way to get away without having to travel the major roads. I applaud being aware and using it in an emergncy, but there is a downside. Also keep in mind that most greenways aren't really policed. So there can be good and bad in that depending on your situation.

Yeah, there's a lot of crime on them around SE Raleigh where I live. I use them a bit when kayaking and riding my bike, but I'm always armed and head on a swivel...

Still FlatFender is right. They're a good low key asset for getting around. Things get squirrely and folks won't be out on them for pleasure anyhow. You can cover ground fast the way they are designed...

Yeah, sections of the Walnut Creek trail especially can be interesting, but other than smelling some weed or seeing someone taking a dump on the side of the trail we've never had an issue.

 

[DurhamDad]

I must be the crotchety guy in the group. I don't want greenways anywhere near my house. Yes, it may help you get around in an emergency, but it also allows others to get to your location. And it allows them a nice way to get away without having to travel the major roads. I applaud being aware and using it in an emergncy, but there is a downside. Also keep in mind that most greenways aren't really policed. So there can be good and bad in that depending on your situation.

Yeah, there's a lot of crime on them around SE Raleigh where I live. I use them a bit when kayaking and riding my bike, but I'm always armed and head on a swivel...

Still FlatFender is right. They're a good low key asset for getting around. Things get squirrely and folks won't be out on them for pleasure anyhow. You can cover ground fast the way they are designed...

Yup, same problem on several sections here in Durbam. However, I reallly appreciate this idea and am going to see if they may be of use to me again. I used them many years ago to get to work when I had a local job, but now I have a 30 mile commute and I haven't used them in a long time.