October is Walktober!

A month to promote health, exercise and pedestrian safety.

Aug 31, 2021

What is Walktober?

Walktober offers fun events to help promote walking as a free, healthy and environmentally friendly option in the City of Raleigh.

Walktober is sponsored in partnership with Commute Smart Raleigh. Commute Smart consultants offer solutions to alleviate traffic congestion by encouraging the increased use of transportation options such as walking, biking, transit, carpooling, and parking cash-out.

Let's get moving!

Teens on a walking tour outside in Raleigh

Historic Church Walk

Saturday, October 2, 10 - 11:30 a.m.

Meet a member of Raleigh’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC) at St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church to walk to downtown churches as part of the free annual Historic Church Walk.

Registration requested.

Commute Smart Raleigh WALKinar: A Virtual Intro to Better Walking

Tuesday, October 5, noon - 1 p.m.

Join the City's Commute Smart Raleigh program to hear local experts speak about walk infrastructure plans and policies. Come learn about the health benefits of walking from a local expert.

Walk to School Day

Wednesday, October 6, locations and times vary

Check with your child’s school to learn more about Walk to School events.

Ride Ratchford! Greenway Opening Celebration

Friday, October 8, 10 a.m., Ratchford Road

Join City Council members to celebrate the opening of the Ratchford Drive connector. No registration necessary.

More info!

Scooter School

Saturday, October 9, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Drop by Moore Square to meet the City of Raleigh’s scooter vendors, Bolt, Lime and Spin. Learn how to safely ride e-scooters and why parking scooters properly is important to keep the sidewalks clear.

Registration is not required, but you can sign up if you want a reminder.

Walking and Biking Safety Summit

Friday, October 15, 1 - 4 p.m., Virtual Meeting Link

Featuring guest speaker Angie Schmitt, who will talk about lessons learned in her book "RIGHT OF WAY: Race, Class, and the Silent Epidemic of Pedestrian Deaths in America.”

Let's plan a safer, low-carbon future where walking and biking are prioritized. We’ll get bold and look for solutions that truly make a difference. Check out the event flyer!

White Cane Safety Day

Friday, October 15, 4 - 6 p.m.

Join the Raleigh Wake Chapter of the Federation of the Blind to learn more about services for the visually impaired and to take a short walk together.

Meet at the Raleigh Municipal Building at 222 W. Hargett Street at 4 p.m. and take a group walk at 5 p.m.

kids on bikes at neighborhood celebration

Stroll in the Streets!

Sunday, October 17, noon - 5 p.m.

Raleigh’s first downtown open streets event, Stroll in the Streets, is Sunday, Oct. 17. During the event, the 1.3-mile stretch along Lenoir Street and South Saunders Street between Chavis and Dix Parks will be closed to traffic to allow for walking, biking, art and play stations, food trucks, and more!

Event info!

Traffic Garden

Sunday, October 17, noon to 5 p.m.
John Chavis Memorial Park

Bring the family along with your bike, scooter, skateboard or walking shoes to roll or walk in a traffic garden. This miniature streetscape will allow you to teach your child road-safety skills in a protected roadway environment complete with stop signs and crosswalks.

Partners include: Safe Routes to School, Oaks & Spokes and Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources.

Take our Lenoir Street Survey!

Two women riding Citrix bicycles with a GoRaleigh bus in the background

Bike-Walk-Rail Event

Saturday, October 23, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Bike from the Village District Citrix Cycle station to downtown. Walk with the group to learn about Raleigh’s newest Rail addition – Union Station. Return as a group. Experience how all modes of transportation help our city. Reserve a Citrix Cycle, ride your own bike or meet at Union Station for this unique multi-modal experience.

Registration required. Bike availability limited. Mask are required inside Union Station.

Dix Park Guided Walking Tour

Saturday, October 23, 1 - 3 p.m.

This free 2-hour, 3.5 mile walking tour will cover the history of the buildings, land, and legacy of Dorothea Dix; the current use of the area as the headquarters of the Department of Health and Human Services; and the next steps the City is taking to plan the future of the park.

The Chapel Event Hall at Dix Park
1030 Richardson Drive
Raleigh, NC 27603

Registration required!

Family Scarecrow Walk

October 29 - October 31, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Bring the whole family to walk Powell Drive’s trail to see a variety of unique creations on the annual Scarecrow Walk.

Registration not required.

Historic Oakwood Cemetery Tour

Saturday, October 30, 2021, 5 - 6 p.m.

Join a member of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC) on a free tour of the Oakwood Cemetery.

Registration required. Limited availability.

Commute Smarter, Not Harder: A TALK ABOUT THE WALK

Follow Commute Smart Raleigh’s safety tips and learn about the benefits that come with a pedestrian commute. Walking is a great and efficient way of getting around for those that can make the short trip near their final destination.

Walking Clubs

Join others for regular walking at these City of Raleigh parks:

Chavis Center Walking Club (16+) meets every Tuesday from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Worthdale Walkers Club (50+) meets every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Capital Area Greenway System

The Capital Area Greenway System is a network of public open spaces and recreational trails for walking, hiking, biking, nature study, and more. Explore the trails that connect many of Raleigh's parks and complement their recreational opportunities.

The Capital Area Greenway system has over 100 miles of trails to explore!

Find a Trail!