Cary's greenways and streets provide options for safe and easy travel and offer amenities for bike repair, multi-modal travel, and safe storage. 

Greenways

These meandering, off-road, paved paths are usually 10 ft. wide and are great for all ages and abilities to walk or ride. Greenways also include a system of connectors that run parallel to roadways referred to as street-side trails

Sharrows

"Shared Use Arrows" are pavement markings that signal a shared lane environment for bicyclists and automobiles. These indicate where cyclists should ride, discourage wrong-way cycling, and tell drives to expect cyclists.

Signed Routes

These routes include Cary Commuter Routes, NC Routes, and US Routes. Signs provide wayfinding to help bicyclists remain on the designated route. Signed routes may overlap with other bicycle facility types like sharrows and wide outside lanes.

Conventional Bike Lanes

Bike lanes designate an exclusive space for bicyclists through the use of pavement markings and signage.  These are best for novice or casual bicyclists. Bike lanes are typically at least 4 ft. wide and located adjacent to vehicle travel lanes, moving in the same direction as traffic.   

Neighborhood Bike Routes

These routes can be found along local streets with lower speed limits and lower traffic volumes, and are identified with signs and sometimes pavement markings.  Because volumes and speeds are relatively low, neighborhood bikeways can be comfortable facilities for people of all ages and abilities.

Wide Outside Lanes

Travel lanes wider than the standard 12 ft. that allow motorists to safely pass a cyclist while remaining in the same lane. The lanes have no markings for bicycles but you may see signs on the roadside, indicating they are part of a bicycle route. 

Buffered Bike Lane

Buffered bike lanes are conventional bicycle lanes paired with a designated buffer space providing greater separation of the bike lane from the adjacent vehicle travel lane. The buffer area provides space for bicyclists to pass another bicyclist without encroaching into the adjacent motor vehicle travel lane.  The additional space for bike riders appeals to a wider cross-section of bicyclists.  

Separated Bike Lane or "Cycle Track"

A separated bike lane or a “cycle track” is an exclusive bike facility that combines the user experience of a street-side trail with the on-street infrastructure of a conventional bike lane. This facility is physically separated from traffic, with a vertical element, such as bollards, a raised curb (as shown in the picture), or planters.  The physical separation for bike riders offers a higher level of comfort for riders of all ages and abilities.  

Protected Intersection

The protected intersection design keeps bicycles physically separate from motor vehicles up until the intersection, providing a high degree of comfort and safety for people of all ages and abilities. At protected intersections, the bike lane is set back from the adjacent vehicle traffic. The bicyclist is given a dedicated path through the intersection and the pedestrian has a shorter distance when crossing.  

Bike Box

A bike box is a designated area at the head of a traffic lane at a signalized intersection that provides bicyclists with a safe and visible way to get ahead of queuing traffic during the red signal phase.  This not only increases visibility for bicyclists, but also reduces signal delay. 

Other Bike Amenities and Facilities Around Cary

Bike Repair Stations

Cary has four bike repair sites; at Godbold Park, Bond Park Boathouse, New Hope Trailhead, and Reedy Creek Trailhead. These stations include all the tools you'll need to perform basic bike repairs and maintenance.

GoCary Bike Transport

The Rack-n-Roll program makes riding fixed routes more convenient for bicyclists. Bike racks accommodate two-wheeled, single-seat bicycles. Visit GoCary for details. 

Bike Parking

New developments are generally required to provide bike parking.  When visiting downtown, Cary has numerous racks nearby, we've mapped them for easy access. There are also bike lockers at the Train Depot where you can safely park your bike for the day. There are spaces for four bikes available on a first come, first served basis.  

Cary Action Sports

Cary's action sports venue is open to the public year-round. All ages and skill levels are permitted on the course with a valid waiver. Any type of bicycle without training wheels is permitted during the park's open hours. You won't find a workout quite like being in an action sports park!