April Events + Newsletter

April is shaping up to be a packed month of bikes, art, water, and hands-on service. Greenway Gear Collective is teaming up with local partners to bring you a variety of opportunities to connect with community, explore the outdoors, and deepen your skills. The events listed below are all available on the GGC Calendar! Head to the "Calendar" tab of this site to check it out.

No Bikes In Courthouse

In May 1975, a memo from the Wake County Building and Grounds Superintendent declared an outright ban on bicycles in the Wake County Courthouse. What followed was a powerful, reasoned, and collective rebuttal from local bicycle commuters—a reminder of the importance of advocacy and the enduring struggle for bike-friendly spaces.

Official Memo - May 13, 1975

TO: All Departments
FROM: Wake County Building and Grounds Superintendent

At no time will bicycles be allowed in the Wake County Courthouse Building. The building is subject to be damaged by them, also they are hazardous to people in the building.

Signed,
N. R. Morgan
N. R. Morgan

Cyclists' Response - May 14, 1975

To:
Mr. Nathan R. Morgan
Supt., County Buildings & Grounds
Room 704, County Courthouse

Dear Mr. Morgan,

We the undersigned bicycle commuters and potential bicycle commuters agree to abide by the requirement of your memorandum of May 13, 1975. Yet there are a number of disparities which we wish to bring to your attention, since we feel that they should be recognized, addressed, and resolved to the best advantage of all involved parties.

In North Carolina the bicycle is legally recognized as a vehicle, and the Department of Transportation has established a Bicycle Committee to advise the Secretary of Transportation on bicycle issues. In Raleigh there is a Bicycle Commission whose mandate is to advocate the use of the bicycle as an alternative mode of transportation, as well as develop bikeway plans and advise the City Council on bicycle issues.

In short, the bicycle is being promoted as a means of lessening our traffic congestion, conserving our dwindling fuel supplies, improving the quality of our urban environment, and maintaining the physical fitness of our citizens. Even so, at this writing the county’s response to the needs of the bicyclist is negative and disjointed.

The bicycle, as compared to the automobile, is a fragile machine; it is easily vandalized and easily stolen. (Nationally, $6.5 million worth of bicycles were reported stolen in 1974.) Since the state has yet to establish a bicycle registration program, there is almost no hope for recovering a stolen bicycle which in today’s market will have cost about two hundred dollars. This tends to explain why bicyclists try to secure their vehicles where they will be protected. And if you have ever ridden a bicycle with a wet seat you would understand why the bicyclist prefers to keep his vehicle indoors. Even so, at this writing, the county’s response to the needs of the bicyclist is incomplete.

If ignored the bicycle will not go away. You will find it chained to any and all immovable objects in the vicinity of the courthouse. This will not be done for reasons of aesthetics, safety, or preference; it will be because the bicyclist has been given no other alternative. We hope you will agree that there are other alternatives and better alternatives, and we offer to meet with you or anyone else who is prepared to explore these alternatives in the best interest of all involved parties.

Signed by over 40 individuals, including William K. Flourney Jr., Steve R. Shipley, P. S. Taylor, Battle Reid Sunstroke II, George R. Murrell, Bowdoin Phipps, Diana Clark, and many others, with multiple phone extensions listed.

April Events

• April 4: eARTh Showcase Art Crawl
  5:00–10:00 PM | CoLab Studio & Fish Market Gallery, Downtown Raleigh
  Celebrate sustainability through creativity. This First Friday art crawl spans CoLab Studio (14 Glenwood Ave) and the Fish Market Gallery (133 Fayetteville St), showcasing local artwork that challenges, inspires, and engages with environmental themes. A great way to spend the evening in downtown Raleigh.
• April 5: Great Litter Sweep – Wake County Big Sweep
  9:00 AM–12:00 PM | Walnut Creek Wetlands Center (950 Peterson St)
  Join us for a morning of community service focused on cleaning up the wetlands and protecting our local waterways. Gloves and cleanup supplies will be provided.
  RSVP: Click here to register
  More Info: wake.gov/bigsweep
• April 9: NC State Bike Month Kick-Off
  11:00 AM–2:00 PM | Stafford Commons at Talley Student Union
  Celebrate the start of Bike Month with us on campus. We’ll be offering free bike safety checks to students and sharing tips on how to stay safe and confident while riding. Stop by and say hello.
• April 12: Adventure Series – Spring Paddle at Lake Raleigh
  11:00 AM | Meet at The Bike Library
  Bring your own canoe, kayak, or paddleboard and join us for a relaxed paddle on Lake Raleigh. This is a great way to enjoy the warmer weather and connect with others who love outdoor exploration. All experience levels welcome.
  RSVP: Click here to register
• April 13: Basic Bike Maintenance Class
  10:00 AM–12:00 PM | The Bike Library
  Learn how to keep your bike in top shape with this hands-on maintenance workshop. We’ll cover the basics—tire pressure, brake checks, chain care—and help you get more comfortable with your ride. Tools and instruction provided.
  RSVP: Click here to register
• April 15: Film Screening – Small Island Big Song
  6:30–8:00 PM | Neptunes, 14 W Martin St, Raleigh
  This award-winning musical documentary was filmed across 16 island nations and centers the voices of Indigenous artists responding to the climate crisis. A moving, artistic call for cultural preservation and environmental awareness.

We’d love to see you at one (or all) of these events. From the trail to the gallery to the classroom, there are so many ways to get involved and grow with us this spring.

Let us know if you’re coming or want to volunteer—reach out anytime.