About:

The River to the Sea Bikeway (WMPO Bicycle Route 1) is an 11-mile, on- and off-road bicycle route that follows the Historic Beach Car Line, which carried vacationers from downtown Wilmington to Wrightsville Beach by trolley. The bikeway is comprised of neighborhood residential streets, off-road multi-use paths, and a few busy arterial roadways.

It begins at the foot of Market Street at the Riverwalk, with the Battleship USS North Carolina visible across the Cape Fear River. The bikeway then traverses the Old Wilmington, Bottom and Forest Hills neighborhoods before crossing Independence Boulevard and passing by Empie Park. From Empie Park to South Kerr Avenue, the bikeway follows Park Avenue, a quiet local street that passes by Audubon Station.

After merging with Peachtree Avenue and crossing South College Road, the bikeway briefly hops onto Pine Grove Drive before joining up with Park Avenue again. Between Wallace Avenue and 52nd Street, the bikeway utilizes an off-road path, with a spur to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (WMPO Bicycle Route 1A) via Wood Dale Drive. Between 52nd Street and Hinton Avenue, the bikeway follows on-road bicycle lanes on Park Avenue. Beyond Greenville Avenue, the ride is much more uncomfortable for recreational cyclists. Oleander Drive and Wrightsville Avenue are busy arterial roadways with few bicycle facilities and high-speed traffic, and there are several bridges to cross. This section is not reccommended for recreational cyclists.

Access & Parking:

To reach the downtown Wilmington trailhead, follow U.S. Highway 74 toward Wilmington; take the Wilmington DOWNTOWN exit. Proceed south on North 3rd Street. Take a right onto Market Street and follow west to Riverfront Park. Parking is available on-street or in the city of Wilmington parking deck located at Market Street and North 2nd Street. The bikeway begins at the foot of Market Street at North and South Water Street. Follow the bicycle Route 1 signs.

To reach the Empie Park parking area, follow U.S. Highway 76 to Independence Boulevard northbound. Take a right onto Park Avenue and an immediate left into the park driveway. The bikeway is on Park Avenue. Follow the bicycle Route 1 signs.

To reach the Wrightsville Beach trailhead, follow U.S. Highway 74 toward Wrightsville Beach. At the intersection of Salisbury Street and North Lumina Avenue, continue straight on Salisbury Street to the on-street parking area. The bikeway begins on Salisbury Street west of North Lumina Avenue. Follow the bicycle Route 1 signs. There is also additional parking at the Wrightsville Beach municipal complex at the intersection of Salisbury Street and Seawater Lane.

For more information, contact: Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, P.O.Box 1810, Wilmington, N.C. 28402, 910-341-3258

Events:

23rd Annual River to Sea Bike Ride [May 5, 2012]
Join us for a 20 mile casual-paced bicycle ride from downtown Wilmington to Wrightsville Beach on Wilmington's River to Sea Bicycle Route - North Carolina Bike Route 1. Registration at 8:00am, ride starts at 8:30am. Refreshments and drawing for prizes will be at Wrightsville Beach Park at 10:00am. Trolly option for returning to downtown Wilmington. No need to pre-register. Just bring your bike & your helmet & get ready to ride!