RALEIGH, N.C. — Dave Connelly started biking when he was 28 to keep up with a healthy lifestyle as an adult.

Forty-three years later, his spokes and passion are still turning.

“I enjoy trying to keep fit, get some healthy exercise, and see the outdoors,” Connelly said. “Greenways are a good safe way to do that.”

Biking connected Connelly with a cause that’s near and dear to his heart: greenways.

When he moved to North Carolina in 1986, he took up the fight for a popular trail. 

“I was advocating for the American Tobacco Trail,” Connelly said. “It took both citizen and governmental pushes to get that through, and now it’s the longest, most popular trail in the state.”

These days, you’ll catch Connelly riding some of his favorite trails in the Triangle, and soon he can add another to his list. 

Wake County announced it is building a new greenway, connecting Garner to Raleigh and potentially beyond.

“Robert Henson says that this could eventually connect from Cary, Apex, all the way to Garner and the Neuse River Trail,” he said.

Connelly says that greenways have obvious benefits for residents looking to get outside.

But he says the real impacts go beyond the ride and footsteps.

“The definitive study on cross benefits for walkable infrastructure, show that every dollar you invest in trails or sidewalks, you save $3 in medical expenses,” Connelly said. “You’ll live longer and enjoy it more.”

A community meeting will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday in the conference room at Lake Wheeler Park. 

Residents are welcome to drop in to view maps and conceptual designs, ask staff questions about the project and provide input.