The National Rural Transportation Peer Learning Conference focused on creating a regional bike plan for various communities in North Carolina, supported by local governments and organizations. Factors influencing the plan included existing municipal bike plans, statewide bike routes, and public input, leading to a comprehensive strategy for over 140 miles of bike routes. The plan aims to improve connectivity, promote tourism, and encourage a healthier population while coordinating with the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

1. National Rural Transportation Peer Learning
Conference
December 4, 2014
Cincinnati, Ohio

2. Hello and Thank You for Joining Us!

3. Where in the World?
PAMLICO
CRAVEN
CARTERET
JONES
ONSLOW

4. Major Players
 NCDOT Bike/Ped and Divisions 2&3
 Down East RPO
 Jacksonville MPO
 Five County Governments
 Ten+ Municipal
Governments
 East Coast Greenway Reps
 Area Bike Shops and Clubs

5. Why in the World Create a
Regional Bike Plan Here?
These ingredients:
 Ten existing municipal bike plans within the region
 Coastal East Coast Greenway (Maine to Florida) route
 Statewide Bicycle Routes
 The Croatan National Forest in the Center
 Strong draw for tourists
Created a GREAT opportunity to look at cycling on a
Regional Scale

6. How in the World?
 Geometrics (roadway width, pavement quality, intersections, curves)
 Traffic Conditions (volume, speed, and truck traffic)
 Appropriateness (directness, scenery, services)
 Use of Existing Plans (regional and secondary routes are meant to
support local plans)
 Existing State Bike Routes
 Destinations (regionally important attractions, lodging)
 Target Rider (who is the design bicyclist)
 Bike Routes for Area Events (the MS Ride, Cycle NC, others)
 Regional Connectivity to the ECG
 Public Input Sessions and a Steering Committee

7. The Results (all 140+ miles)
Ferry Ride!!!

8. And for Riders Like Me
New
Bern
Oriental
Havelock
Swansboro
EI
Morehead
City Beaufort
AB

9. The East Coast Greenway
New
Bern
Oriental
Havelock
Swansboro
EI
Morehead
City Beaufort
AB

10. So What Now?
 Implementation through adoption of the Plan
 Continuation of the Working group through the RPO
 Prioritization of High Priority Improvements
 Coordination with the NCDOT Divisions
 Signage and Wayfinding
 Marketing… which brings us to..

11. Bicycle Map / Brochure
 Created to show existing conditions and
regional route and to shamelessly market
the region
Take one with you
 Also contains information on hiking in the
Croatan National Forest, which is a whole
different plan…

12. The Croatan Trails Plan
 Created in tandem with the Bicycle Plan to determine
an expanded trail system that would ultimately
connect to the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST), a hiking
trail from the Smokey’s to Jockey’s Ridge.
 Consisted of a smaller Steering Committee and the
National Forest Ranger and Staff
 Focused on off-road (or forest road) connections

13. The Croatan Trails Plan

14. The Croatan Trails Plan

15. The Challenges
 Water Water Everywhere (not to mention bridges)
 Drainage Ditches and Roadway Design
 The Strategic Highway Corridors
 Changing of Policies and Thought Processes

16. The Rewards
 A More Bicycle Friendly North Carolina
 Greater Transportation Alternatives
 A more active, healthy population