Hi {{ FirstName | title_case | default: 'Friend' }},
Protected bike lanes are designed so that everyone, from 8 to 80 years old, can feel safe and welcome riding on the street. That is the vision we have been working toward for years in Durham, and on Monday night, the city took another step in the right direction.
On August 3, City Council approved a contract to add concrete curbs and posts along two of Durham's busiest bike corridors: West Main Street from Buchanan to Broad, and Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway from Fayetteville to Hope Valley.
I’ve lived in the Old West Durham neighborhood since 1999 when West Main Street was two lanes in each direction and MLK, Jr. Parkway was not yet complete. That’s when wide outside lanes were the primary accommodation for people riding bikes. Over time, advocates like you, and experimentation with new designs across the world, led to painted bike lanes, then buffered bike lanes, then post-protected lanes, and now initial levels of concrete curb protection.
It’s exciting that your advocacy has led to these increased levels of protection here in Durham.
The strongest treatments come at intersections, where conflicts between drivers and cyclists are greatest, including a fully protected intersection at MLK and South Roxboro. Speed limits are coming down too, from 45 to 35 on MLK and to 25 on West Main, making the street safer for everyone biking, walking, or driving.
Bike Durham has supported this project from the beginning. Initially through advocacy leading to the 2017 BIke + Walk Plan. More recently in 2024, through the generosity of a donor who chose to remain anonymous, we contributed $60,000 to help the city pilot these materials. That is what your support makes possible: both advocating for safer streets, and helping build them. The contract gives the installer 240 days, so if it is finalized by September, both corridors will be protected in time for Bike Month next May.
Watch the coverage on CBS17 here.
The same night, Council also approved the street closures for Move-A-Bull City: Open Streets on October 4. Durham's biggest open streets celebration, from the Ellerbee to the ATT, has the green light. Now we need your help to fill those streets. You will find more on that below, along with our August bike classes, upcoming clinics, and volunteer opportunities.
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Bike Durham Executive Director
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Sign the Petition: Plan It. Fund It. Build It. We know there's broad support across the Triangle for fast, frequent transit, protected bike lanes, and connected sidewalks and greenways. Help us demonstrate to Triangle decision-makers that it's time to plan, fund, and build a regional transportation system where everyone has equal access to opportunity whether or not they drive a car.
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Canvass with us for regional transportation You want a regional transportation system that is fair, safe, and sustainable. You’ve signed the petition. Now help us build the public power to win it. Join us for canvassing on Saturday, August 15 and Saturday, August 29.
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Bus stop clean-up at The Village Join Bike Durham and Keep Durham Beautiful to clean up the bike lane and bus stop at Miami Boulevard and Raynor Street. Everyone deserves safe, clean, welcoming places to walk, bike, and wait for the bus. Supplies provided, no experience needed. We’ve got 12 slots left! Saturday, August 16, 9am to 12pm.
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Move-A-Bull City Open Streets
Sunday, October 4th, 12-4pm | Downtown Durham
Durham's biggest open streets celebration, from the Ellerbee to the ATT, has the green light. Sign up for updates, or bring your business or organization to the route as a partner.
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Books, Bikes, & Back to School
We're bringing books, bike education, and community resources to families ahead of the school year, with the Durham County Library and Durham Food Co-op. We need volunteers to help table. Saturday, August 15.
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August Community Meeting
Join us at the Durham Beer Garden to talk Durham streets and transit, and hang as a community. Save the date for Monday, August 24. Bike ride rolls at 6pm, meeting starts at 7pm.
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Volunteer at our Pedal & Smile Learn to Ride Clinic
Saturday, August 8, 6-8pm | Premier Smiles on NC Highway 55
Free clinic for kids ages 5 to 10, in partnership with Premier Smiles and Sleep. First time on a bike or building confidence, this one's for them. Loaner bikes and helmets available.
Spaces are limited, so sign up today! (Last time, we reached the max early!)
We need volunteers for this one! Sign up to help below.
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Upcoming Classes
Ready to Ride
Build your street skills and confidence in the saddle. Saturday, August 9, 9am to 12pm. Register.
Ride Durham
Learn to navigate Durham's roads and routes with confidence. Sunday, August 16, 2pm to 6pm. Register.
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Your local nonprofit working to improve the way we walk, bike, and use transit in the Bull City.
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