What St. Louis can learn from the Cultural Trail in Indianapolis

What St. Louis can learn from the Cultural Trail in Indianapolis

In November, several Trailnet staff members decided to visit Indianapolis on their own time to check out the Cultural Trail and see how protected bikeways and walkways could help St. Louis. When they got back to work, the staff members pulled together several lessons learned from their vacation.

Here are a few highlights of what they learned:

• The Cultural Trail is really two trails- a parallel sidewalk and protected bikeway, with landscaping and raingardens separating the routes in places. In St. Louis we need to make sure our design includes enough space for separate walking and biking routes, raingardens, and benches, public art, or sidewalk cafes.
• Designing for everyone really does get everyone out walking and biking- people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds were enjoying the trail on foot and on bike.
• The Cultural Trail has spurred development- for St. Louis, we need to make sure affordability and land use policy are part of the planning process so that our infrastructure is for everyone.
• The trail was designed to make safe walking and biking a priority; at minor streets the trail was elevated to make sure cars slowed down. At stop lights the trail was marked with artistic and reflective crosswalks. All over the trail, public art celebrated the joy of walking, bicycling, and exploring the community.
• At night the trail is well lit with lights that are designed to illuminate the paths for people walking and biking. The distinctive lights along the trail make it easy to navigate and increase safety.