Safety is the priority for alternative transit in St. Louis
Trailnet, Missouri Department of Transportation, and Bi-State Development Agency advocate “Safe Roads for All” during National Bike to Work Day
Trailnet celebrated the St. Louis region’s 10th annual Bike to Work Day Friday, May 15. Sponsored by Great Rivers Greenway, Missouri American Water, and Saint Louis Bread Co., the event drew more than 560 cyclists dedicated to making biking a way of life in St. Louis. Sponsors, volunteers, and Trailnet staff hosted refueling stations throughout the area, offering coffee and bagels to all bike commuters. Bike to Work Day helps to build a sense of community, promotes environmentally-friendly modes of travel, and inspires people to maintain healthy, active lifestyles.
The Missouri History Museum hosted a refueling station during Bike to Work Day and was also the site of the Safe Roads for All Press Conference. Speakers highlighted the progress made in alternative transit over the past year and discussed their vision for a healthy, safe, and vibrant future in the St. Louis region. The conference was presented by Trailnet, The City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, the Missouri Department of Transportation, the Bi-State Development Agency/Metro, and Great Rivers Greenway.
Maggie Crane, communications director for 
the Office of Mayor Francis Slay, drew applause from the audience when she announced St. Louis will include its first bike and pedestrian coordinator position in the city’s 2015-2016 budget. This is one step required to boost the region’s overall bike friendliness ranking, as evaluated by the League of American Bicyclists.
Ralph Pfremmer, Trailnet’s executive director, stressed the importance of installing bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure to improve the health of local communities as well as the environment. “For the future, it’s critical that the expansion of well-designed bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure continue,” Pfremmer said. “By increasing safe and pleasant opportunities for walking and biking, we will build the confidence of our users and improve public health and the environment. These assets of our community will most certainly attract and retain talented young people and entrepreneurs, adding to the vitality and economic prosperity of our region.
In addition to the Missouri History Museum, Trailnet-hosted refueling stations at: Big Shark in the Loop, Missouri Botanical Garden, The Downtown Bicycle Station, Urban Shark, Kaldi’s on DeMun, and Mississippi Mud Coffee Roasters.
Area businesses and organizations also committed to sponsoring “DIY” refueling stations. Participants included the DeSales Community Housing Corp., Ferguson Bicycle Shop, Lyon Park, Microgrid Energy, Nebula Coworking, Pedal the Cause, St. Louis Development Corporation and City of St. Louis Health Department, St. Louis Earth Day, St. Louis University’s Simon Recreation Center, the St. Louis Zoo, The downtown O’Fallon office of Scott Air Force Base, and W.W. Grainger. A map of all of the station locations is available at trailnet.org.
Bike to Work Day was organized in partnership with The City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, the Missouri Department of Transportation, and Urban Shark Bicycle Company.