Short introduction:
We are a couple from the Netherlands who currently live in Rotterdam and do most of our commuting and touring by train and bike.
My girlfriend is going to Durham (Duke University) from the beginning of next year (Jan. 2019 - Jun.)for six months and is thinking of bringing her bike with her or just buy one there.
She has lived in Toronto where she had a bike as well so we are used to riding in more crowded places.

Now we are aware that most of the US isn't as bike friendly as the Netherlands is but one question we are left with is this:
How safe is it to ride in and around Durham?

Any recommendations for gravel trails in the area?
Some other interesting spots she should go look at?
Tips and tricks?

Any help is welcome.

P.s. The main reason we are asking is because a colleague of her has lived there before and strongly recommended against cycling around there. Then again he is not a cyclist himself so he probably has a different views about it.
P.p.s. Maybe I'll join her there and I definitely would bring my own bike.