Description

Umstead State Park is a very popular and safe area for bicyclists, but it is impossible to get across the airport from Umstead to to Briar Creek area. Adding a short bike rout connecting Umstead to existing airport roads would make a great path for riders and commuters between Raleigh and Briar Creek (and some parts of RTP as well!).

With the current greenway connections, the only way for a biker to get from this end of Umstead to Briar Creek is to ride south to 54 and then west and back up to Page Road to cross under the freeway - lots of extra mileage and annoyed drivers on that route.

Recent news coverage of the RDU airport authority planning process makes them appear very anti-bicycle. Adding to the greenway paths to allow transit across the airport would be a good idea to repair their image with Triangle bicyclists.

Finally, it would improve security for the airport. Bicyclists carry cellphones and would be quick to report odd activities in areas that are not easy for airport security to patrol.