Imagine a community where your kids can walk or bike safely to school; where your family can take an evening stroll; where you can make a quick trip to the grocery store without getting in the car. We have created a blueprint for improving walking and bicycling for North Carolina communities.
Investing in sidewalks, bike lanes and greenways add many benefits to a community at relatively low cost:
- Promote physical, mental and social well-being by providing outdoor places to relax, exercise and socialize.
- Provide easy walking or bicycling connections between neighborhoods, schools, parks and trails.
- Increase property values, promote tourism and foster local businesses by encouraging foot traffic.
- Improve overall quality of life.
Other benefits include reduced traffic congestion, fewer vehicle crashes and improved air quality. State agencies also benefit from less wear on roads, which leads to lower costs and more efficient use of our transportation network.