Vision Zero Chapel Hill

Want to make our streets safer and more accessible for everyone? Your boots-on-the-ground perspective is exactly what we need.

The Vision Zero team invites you to step out with us for a Walk Audit along Homestead Road on Wednesday, June 10, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM.

A walk audit is a hands-on way for neighbors, advocates, and staff to review street conditions together. We’ll experience the corridor as pedestrians, pinpoint specific safety issues, and collaborate on real-world improvements for people walking, biking, and rolling.

📍 Event at a Glance

• Who: Anyone passionate about pedestrian safety, Vision Zero, and creating calmer, safer community streets.

• What: A 1-mile guided walk audit along Homestead Road to Seawell School Road.

• When: Wednesday, June 10 | 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

• Where: Meeting at the intersection of Homestead Rd and Weaver Dairy Rd Ext.

🚌 Getting There & Parking

We encourage walking, biking, or transit to the site if possible!

• Bus Stops: Just steps away at Homestead Road at Seymour Center (Northbound & Southbound via the HS Route).

• Parking: Available nearby at the Seymour Center (2551 Homestead Rd #6, Chapel Hill, NC 27516).

👀 What to Expect On the Walk

• No experience necessary! We will provide safety vests, worksheets, clipboards, and pens. You just bring your insights and a comfortable pair of walking shoes.

• The Route: We’ll cover about 1 mile of total walking (see the map attached below).

• Prep Work (Optional but helpful): Take a quick virtual stroll through the corridor using [Google Street View] beforehand to note any spots you already know need love!

📢 How You Can Help Right Now

1. Spread the Word: Want a safer neighborhood? Invite your friends! Share this post or use to pass this info along to your neighborhood listservs, Nextdoor, or group chats.

With gas prices higher this month, people across the country are rethinking how they commute. In Chapel Hill, it’s a perfect opportunity to explore travel options that save money, reduce stress, and make everyday trips more enjoyable.

Comparing Costs: Driving vs. Transit & Biking

Driving

• Car payment: The average monthly payment for a new car is around $760, and about $537 for a used car.
• Insurance: Full-coverage insurance averages roughly $180–200 per month
• Gas: Households typically spend about $200 per month on fuel, often more when prices rise.
  Together, a commuter could easily spend over $1,000 each month to keep a car on the road.

Transit
Chapel Hill Transit is fare‑free—saving hundreds each month compared to the cost of driving.

Biking
Most destinations in Chapel Hill are within a bikeable distance, and our expanding network of bike lanes and greenways makes biking a comfortable, low‑cost option.

The Town’s Commitment to More Non‑Car Travel Options
The Town is actively working to expand safe, reliable, and convenient ways to get around without needing a car. This includes new and improved bike lanes, greenway connections, pedestrian safety upgrades, and enhanced mobility options across the community. These investments are part of our long‑term effort to make Chapel Hill easier to navigate for everyone—whether you walk, roll, bike, or ride transit.

Celebrate Bike Month: Join Us at RollFest This Saturday
RollFest 2026: The Wheel‑y Wild West

• Date & Time: Saturday, May 16, 2026 • 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
• Location: Chapel Hill Community Center, 120 S. Estes Drive
• What to Expect:
  • Bike, skateboard, and scooter fun
  • Skill‑building and safety demos
  • Food truck
  • Information on local greenways, bike lanes, and mobility resources
  • Activities for all ages

RollFest is our annual Bike Month celebration—an opportunity to explore active transportation, learn something new, and meet others interested in rolling around town.

Explore Your Commuter Solutions
Considering transit, biking, walking, carpooling, or mixing travel modes? Learn more here:
https://www.chapelhillnc.gov/Transportation-and-Parking/Transportation-and-Mobility-Projects/Commuter-Solutions

Let us know what changes you’re considering or what support would help make your commute easier.

Celebrate all month long with community rides, family‑friendly events, and safety resources that support our Vision Zero commitment to safer streets for everyone. Explore events, learn safety tips, and help us build a more connected Chapel Hill. Scroll down to see what’s happening!

May is National Bike Month, and Chapel Hill is excited to celebrate! It’s a chance to enjoy our community’s bike culture — from our bike lanes and greenways to our commitment to creating safer streets for everyone. As part of Vision Zero, Bike Month also highlights how we can all help prevent severe crashes and support people biking, walking, and rolling.

Why Bike Month Matters
Biking brings people together, boosts health, and helps reduce traffic and pollution. It also reminds us that:
• Everyone deserves to move safely, no matter how they travel.
• Drivers play a key role by slowing down, staying alert, and watching for people biking and walking.
• Kids benefit when they have safe places to ride and build confidence.
• Bike lanes and greenways make trips more comfortable and predictable for everyone.

Bike Month Events
• Bike-to-School Day Roundtable – April 28, 6–7:30 p.m., Chapel Hill Public Library
• Council Proclamation – April 29, 6 p.m., Town Hall
• Bike to School Day – May 6, All Day, throughout Town
• Bike-Themed Movie in the Park – May 8, 6:30 p.m., Community Center
• Bike-to-Work Day – May 15, with a morning pit stop on Tanyard Branch Trail
• RollFest 2026: The Wheel-y Wild West – May 16, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., Community Center

Safety Reminders
• Slow down and watch for people biking, walking, and rolling — especially in neighborhoods and near schools.
• Give people on bikes plenty of space.
• Plan low‑stress trips on our greenway network.
• Bikes can go on all Chapel Hill Transit buses (note: e‑bikes don't fit on racks).

Learn More
Explore resources and share feedback on our Vision Zero and Safe Routes to School Engage pages.

Let’s celebrate Bike Month — and work together to build a safer, more connected Chapel Hill.

Who: Anyone interested in Vision Zero, pedestrian safety, and safer streets

What: S Merritt Mill Walk Audit

When: Wednesday March 11^th from 9:00 AM-10:00 AM

Where: Merritt Mill Rd, in front of the Jiffy Lube building

Why: We will assess current conditions, identify safety concerns, and develop potential improvements in this area.

Getting there:

Parking:

• 505 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
• 103 Boyd St, Carrboro, NC 27510
• 208 Sunset Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Closest bus stops:

• West Franklin Street at North Roberson Street (CW, F, J)

What to expect:

• If you have never done one, the purpose of a walk audit is to gather on-the-ground knowledge of safety concerns cyclists and pedestrians face so that we can find potential improvements.
• We will have safety vests, worksheets, clipboards, and pens for all participants.
• We expect the total distance covered will about 1 mile of total walking (see map attached).

Please take a virtual walk in Google Street view prior to meeting.

The Vision Zero team invites you to join our walk audit on Monday January 12^th from 9:00 AM-10:00 AM. The audit route will be around one mile, along Skipper Bowles Dr. Our central meeting location will be the Ridge Rd and Manning Dr intersection. A walk audit allows us to assess the conditions of the street, identify safety concerns, and develop potential improvement in this area.

If you would like to send this email out to your neighbors and community members, please use this link! Thank you very much and we hope to see you there!

Who: Anyone interested in Vision Zero, pedestrian safety, and safer streets

What: Skipper Bowles Walk Audit

When: Monday January 12^th from 9:00 AM-10:00 AM

Where: Intersection of Ridge Rd and Manning Dr

Why: We will assess current conditions, identify safety concerns, and develop potential improvements in this area.

Getting there:

• Parking:

1. Williamson Lot (Paid Parking)
2. Rams Head Parking Deck (Paid Parking)

• Closest bus stops:
  1. Bowles Drive at Craige Dorm (RU)
  2. Manning Drive at Hinton James (U)
  3. Ridge Road at Ehringhaus Hall (CCX and RU)

What to expect:

• If you have never done one, the purpose of a walk audit is to gather on-the-ground knowledge of safety concerns cyclists and pedestrians face so that we can find potential improvements.
• We will have safety vests, worksheets, clipboards, and pens for all participants.
• We expect the total distance covered will about 1 mile of total walking (see map attached).

Please take a virtual walk in Google Street view prior to meeting.

Due to today's weather, we are postponing our walk audit to Tuesday, September 30^th from 2:30 PM-3:30 PM. The audit route will be one mile, forming a loop from Country Club Rd., South Rd., Raleigh St. and back to our starting point:

Our central meeting location will be the Country Club Rd. and Raleigh St. intersection: A walk audit allows us to assess the conditions of the street, identify safety concerns, and develop potential improvement in this area!

Who: Anyone interested in Vision Zero, pedestrian safety, and safer streets

What: UNC Walk Audit (Loop from Country Club, Raleigh Rd, and Raleigh St.)

When: Tuesday, September 30^th from 2:30 PM-3:30 PM

Where: Intersection of Country Club Rd and Raleigh St.

Why: We will assess current conditions, identify safety concerns, and develop potential improvements in this area.

Event Link: Vision Zero Chapel Hill | Engage Chapel Hill

Getting there:

• Parking:
  1. Parking: Morehead Lot (Paid Parking)
  2. East Rosemary Deck (Paid Parking)
• Closest bus stops:
  1. Raleigh Street at Spencer Hall (NU, U)
  2. Raleigh Street at Mangum Hall (NU, U)

What to expect:

• If you have never done one, the purpose of a walk audit is to gather on-the-ground knowledge of safety concerns cyclists and pedestrians face so that we can find potential improvements.
• We will have safety vests, worksheets, clipboards, and pens for all participants.
• We expect the total distance covered will about 1 mile of total walking (see map above).

Please take a virtual walk in Google Street view prior to meeting.

Come learn about current and upcoming Town of Chapel Hill Transportation and Mobility projects.

When: Thursday, September 11 from 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Where: Chapel Hill Public Library, Room A

We’ll share information about these current and upcoming projects:

• N. Estes Dr. resurfacing & bike lanes (Caswell Rd. to E. Franklin St.)
• Pinehurst Dr. resurfacing & bike lanes (Burning Tree Dr. to Ephesus Church Rd.)
• Ephesus Church Rd. sidewalks
• Fordham sidepath
• Vision Zero
• Safe Routes to School
• Everywhere to Everywhere Greenways Feasibility Study

Tune in on YouTube for the Premier of Safety Science 101, a powerful new short film co-produced by Families for Safe Streets (FSS) and Jessie Singer.

📅 Date: Monday, August 18, 2025
🕖 Time: 7 PM ET (4 pm PT/ 5 pm MT/6 pm CT)
▶️ Watch & Comment Live on Youtube

Why Watch Live?
This film challenges the myth that traffic violence is just about bad drivers and shows how the Safe System Approach can save lives. By joining the live premiere, you can:

• Watch alongside FSS members, survivors, and advocates from across the country
• Comment and share your reactions in real time
• Help kick off the FSS national Safety Science campaign leading into World Day of Remembrance

This is more than a film—it’s a tool for change. By watching and sharing, you’re helping build a national conversation that holds systems, not just individuals, accountable.

Next time you travel on S. Elliott Road you’ll notice new modular medians designed to slow cars down. Our Public Works staff placed the medians at a curve in the road just west of Fordham Boulevard. These medians help calm traffic by requiring drivers to slow down to stay in their lane as the road curves.