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https://raleighnc.gov/planning/news/walking-and-biking-get-safer-easier
09/12/2025 2:17 pm

A crosswalk with buildings in the background.

Walking and Biking to Get Safer, Easier

Updates to development rules create safer crosswalks

News Published 9/12/2025 Updated 9/12/2025

Walking and biking in the city is likely to become safer and easier. Recent updates to development rules mean better crosswalks and more pedestrian passages. Those are wide, vehicle-free paths designed for walking, biking, and rolling.

Encouraging non-car travel can also have a positive impact on the environment and quality of life.

Every year, more than 7,000 pedestrians are killed in crashes in the U.S., according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. An important way to reduce that number is to enhance pedestrian safety through infrastructure. 

Safer, More Comfortable Crosswalks

The recent updates will lead to the creation of safer and more comfortable crosswalks. This involves reducing crosswalk distances and slowing cars at intersections. 

More – and Safer – Pedestrian Passages

A pedestrian passage is a place for people walking, biking, or using other non-car travel. The recent changes amend the rules to improve the safety of these paths through design. It also allows pedestrian passages to substitute for streets in more situations than before. This encourages building them.

“These changes give people who don’t drive more options, and make getting around Raleigh safer,” says Planning Manager Justin Rametta. 

Sketch shows two scenarios. The first illustrates how parked cars near a crosswalk block drivers' view of pedestrians waiting to cross. The second part of the sketch shows how a curb extension enhances visibility for both drivers and pedestrians. The driver can see the pedestrians waiting to cross the crosswalk because the curb extension allows the pedestrians to stand in a way that the parked car does not block the view of traffic.

 Crosswalk safety: Recent changes can lead to improved pedestrian safety by shortening the distance to cross and slowing vehicles at intersections. View larger image

Sustainability and Social Impact

The largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Raleigh is transportation. Fifty-two percent of Raleigh’s community greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation. 
The City’s Community Climate Action Plan addresses this. The recent updates to development rules are designed to:

  • Help reduce greenhouse gas emissions
  • Encourage fewer vehicle miles
  • Improve access, safety, and comfort for people walking and biking

The City’s Office of Sustainability, Planning and Development, and Transportation departments continue to identify ways to improve the community’s quality of life. 

Lead Department:
Planning and DevelopmentSustainability

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