Bicycling & Walking Education

Bike and Breath Easy Community Education Project
Trailnet, in partnership with the Missouri Department of Transportation, piloted a four-year community education project from 2000 – 2004. Goals of the project were to educate the public about “sharing the road” and to encourage bicycling for transportation in St. Louis City and County. The project was funded by federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds.

Highlights of the project included:

• Distribution of materials at businesses and local events
• “Drive Your Bike” presentations throughout the community
• Public Relations, including prime time radio and TV ads, bus and billboard ads, and other electronic and print media
• “Share the Road” presentations to High School Drivers Education classes

Safe Routes to School Program
In 2005, Trailnet, in partnership with the Great Rivers Greenway District, supported approximately one thousand children and adults in walking and bicycling to school on International Walk and Bike to School. As part of Trailnet’s Safe Routes to School program, this day of non-motorized transportation works alongside parents and school personnel to identify safe routes from students’ homes and creates walking school buses assuring no child walks without an adult.

Highlights of the program included:

• Coordination with police, city hall
• Development of routes and maps for safe routes to school
• Focus on physical activity, health, safety, air quality and community
• Ongoing Support
• Press releases and media outreach
• Supplies for flyers, signs, handouts
• Training for parents, students, and all school personnel

Bike & Trail Planning

City of O’Fallon, IL Bike Facility Plan
Trailnet, in partnership with James Pona and Associates and the Southwestern Illinois Resource, Conservation and Development-GIS Office, completed a Bicycle Facilities Plan for the rapidly growing community of O’Fallon, Illinois in January 2005. The 8-month process included field recon of potential trails and on-street connections, a community forum and GIS mapping of existing and proposed facilities.

Highlights of the plan included:

• Assessment of existing conditions and inventory of facilities
• Cost estimates for proposed facilities
• GIS mapping, including GIS data layers delivered to the City for in-house use
• Identification of funding sources
• Input from residents, business owners, community leaders and city staff
• Maintenance and operations estimates
• Phased implementation plan
• Recommendations for comprehensive bicycle system, addressing recreational and transportation needs of the community

St. Louis Regional Bicycling & Walking Transportation Plan-Education & Marketing Component
In 2005, Trailnet was a part of the planning team led by HNTB that developed the St. Louis Regional Bicycling & Walking Transportation Plan. Trailnet was responsible for the Marketing and Education component of the plan. Other team members included East West Gateway Council of Governments, Great Rivers Greenway, MoDOT, IDOT, St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation, local counties and communities and not for profit organizations.

Highlights of the Marketing and Education component included:

• Facts and discussion on timely issues such as – cost of bicycling/walking facilities; bicycle facilities and regulations; myths and perceptions of local bicycling/walking usage
• Health and physical activity benefits of bicycling and walking
• Resources for additional information
• Targeting educational opportunities for area citizens

Grant Writing & Fund Development

Oakland Park
Trailnet partnered with SWT Design and the City of Oakland in 2003-2004 to plan and develop a combination trailhead for Grant’s Trail and a park for the City. Trailnet staff wrote successful proposals to the Land and Water Conservation Fund and St. Louis-Jefferson Recycling and also received a Municipal Park Grant, raising a total of $290,000 towards the $300,000+ park development budget. Trailnet is currently assisting with grant administration for the project.

Highlights of Facilities in the plan included:

• Extension of Grant’s Trail into the City of Oakland
• Landscaping
• Picnic Pavilion
• Playground
• Recycled plastic picnic tables and park benches
• Shared parking with nearby business

Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
Trailnet began work on the Old Chain of Rocks Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge in 1997, and has succeeded in raising more than $4.5 million dollars for the project. Funding sources included federal transportation funds, Missouri Department of Natural Resources Recreational Trails Program Grants, Great Rivers Greenway District funds, Foundation and Corporate grants and individual donations.

Highlights of Facilities in the Bridge Master Plan included:

• Architectural lighting
• Center-Span Visitor Shelter
• Interpretive areas related to the historic, engineering and ecological aspects of the Bridge and its environs
• Landscaping
• Parking lots
• Restrooms

Trail Operations & Maintenance Studies

The Confluence Project
In 2002, Trailnet conducted an operations and maintenance study of fourteen facilities located in The Confluence Project. Facilities included planned and existing trails, bike/pedestrian bridges, nature areas, parks, trailheads and visitor centers. Staffing, levels of care and estimate of operation and maintenance costs were included in the study scope.

photo by Missouri Department of Conservation

Examples of Facilities in the plan included:

• Columbia Bottom Conservation Area Connector Trail
• Great Rivers Resource Center
• Katy Trail Connector
• Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing Site
• North Riverfront Park
• Old Chain of Rocks Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge
• Portage Des Sioux Nature Area
• West Alton Trail

Riverfront Trail
Trailnet, in cooperation with the City of St. Louis Parks Department, Port Authority, Planning Department and Water Division, completed an operations and maintenance plan of the Riverfront Trail. The study was completed in 2005 and built upon findings of the 2002 Confluence Project Operations and Maintenance Study.

Highlights of the plan included:

• Cost estimates for yearly operations and maintenance
• Identification of adjoining parcels and property values for acquisition
• Levels of care for trails, turf, and facilities along the Trail
• Staffing levels

Event Planning

Fair Saint Louis Riverfront Bicycle Ride
In 2003, 2004 and 2005, Trailnet partnered with the Great Rivers Greenway District, Metro East Park and Recreation District, Fair St. Louis, and Sunset Cyclery to produce this popular ride highlighting our Great Rivers. All routes traveled on trails, appealing to riders of all ages and experience. Trailnet organized dozens of volunteers to staff rest stops, provide water and snacks, help riders with way finding and provide first aid to riders requiring attention.

Highlights of event production included:

• Dedicated cell phone, 913-BIKE for SAG (Support & Gear)
• Effective Publicity/Media Outreach in Bi-State region
• Equipment – SAG vehicles carrying water, tool and first aid kits, and shuttling riders & bicycles back to start
• Event Staff - over 60 years combined staff mechanical experience, over 20 years of group ride coordination and road mapping, First Aid/CPR Training Certificates for all event staff
• High familiarity with road systems across Bi-State region, and identification and avoidance of hazards on all routes
• Liability Insurance
• Proven record of highest quality rides
• Representative of larger cycling community

River Des Peres Trail Dedication
Trailnet, in partnership with the Great Rivers Greenway District (GRG), coordinated the dedication event announcing the opening and completion of one of St. Louis’s premiere trail systems. The event, held on September 16, 2005, drew up to 100 participants and was coordinated with the public relations firm hired by GRG.

 

Trailnet’s roles included:

• Coordinating with St. Louis Children’s Hospital to offer their helmet fitting service at the event
• Event set up and tear down
• Event photography
• Event publicity via print and electronic media
• Media coordination
• Staged ribbon cutting and visuals
• Supplying equipment for the event (tables, tents, scissors, literature