For the last year, Trailnet has been leading a federal grant called Safe Routes to School. One year later, we’d like to provide an update to our community.
Engineering, Education, and Encouragement
Last year, Trailnet partnered with a local bike education organization to apply for a federal grant called Safe Routes to School (SRTS). Within the partnership, Trailnet is the fiscal agent for the grant, meaning we are responsible for ensuring all SRTS activities follow federal and state regulations.
The program aims to address school transportation and safety needs for students in St. Louis through three methods: 1) engineering safer streets through improved design, 2) educating kids about how they can bike and walk to school safely, and 3) encouraging students and families to consider biking or walking as a mode of transportation to school. In this proposal, Trailnet would oversee the engineering portion of the grant and manage the grant while contracting with the other organization for Earn-a-Bike and “bike bus” programs.
In August 2024, the grant was federally obligated for $349,993 over a three-year period from August 2024 through July 2027, and Trailnet received approval to begin work. $172,174, or just under half of the grant, was budgeted to reimburse Earn-a-Bike programs and support for encouragement activities.
Soon after the funds were awarded, Trailnet planning staff began conducting walk audits, collecting baseline data about existing conditions around the schools, and engaging the school community at City Garden Montessori. In support of the proposed school mobility plans, Trailnet started working on a job description to post in January 2025.
Federal Funding Uncertainty
Unfortunately, shortly thereafter, our progress was delayed when the White House issued numerous conflicting executive orders that threatened a variety of federal grants. Along with numerous other nonprofits across the country, Trailnet could not immediately confirm that the Safe Routes to School grant would be honored, and headlines indicated that similar programs had been cancelled around the country. As a result, we decided to temporarily defer hiring a new employee amidst that uncertainty.
Back on track: School Mobility Plan with City Garden Montessori
Though this delay put Trailnet behind on our initial timeline for creating school mobility plans, our team was able to start community engagement with the City Garden Montessori community.
Trailnet staff investigate a pothole during a walk-audit.
A posterboard displays a map of the area around City Garden Montessori with notes from community members.
We joined the City Garden Block Party to collect feedback from families about the barriers they face when walking or biking to school. We also conducted a walk audit, documenting existing barriers and opportunities around the school.
By May, we had received confirmation that federally obligated grants were safe, so we re-launched the hiring process for a Community Mobility Planner. We hired a Community Mobility Planner at the end of July.
Now, Trailnet is on track to complete a comprehensive School Mobility Plan for City Garden Montessori by the end of the year.
Next year, we intend to work with two new schools while we continue to gather community feedback on the City Garden plan. We’ve begun to lay the groundwork for those plans by conducting walk-audits around additional schools.
Bike Education and Encouragement
While most of the education and encouragement components of the project have been outsourced, Trailnet hosted two bike safety rodeos in conjunction with National Night Out in the Kingsville East neighborhood to serve students at Hickey Elementary. Our team also provided planning and implementation support for several bike buses to City Garden.
50 kids enjoyed Trailnet’s bike rodeo at the 2024 National Night Out at Hickey Elementary. Trailnet staff helped make sure this student’s helmet fit correctly.
City Garden Montessori walking and biking school buses were a hit! Above, a Trailnet team member walks with a student along Tower Grove Avenue.
Financial Update
The federal Safe Routes to School program is funded through the Federal Highway Administration and administered by MoDOT’s Local Public Agency program. The grant is part of the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). So far, Trailnet has been reimbursed $22,405 for community engagement and community planning work to create the transportation mobility plan for City Garden Montessori and to conduct existing-conditions analysis and mapping for several other schools in the City of St. Louis. In addition, Trailnet has facilitated $52,212 in reimbursement to the organization that is leading the bike education and encouragement programs in accordance with the grant. Trailnet is proud to be the fiscal agent for these critical programs.
The federal grant only reimburses 80% of the expenses. Thankfully, Dana Brown Charitable Trust, General Motors, and individual donors stepped up to provide additional funds to cover the gap and expand our impact.
What’s Next
Trailnet continues to focus on where we can have the greatest impact — fighting for streets that are designed to slow down cars and prioritize the safety of vulnerable road users, including students. We have a strong track record of turning community-based plans into on-the-ground change. The Connecting St. Louis plan has resulted in transformational projects, and our School Transportation Plan for Froebel Elementary helped influence the City of St. Louis to build its first Calm Street on Louisiana Avenue. We hope that the plans we co-create with school communities will drive similar change to improve the lives of students and families for generations to come.
Looking Back, Moving Forward: A Reflection on Week Without Driving
As we reflect on Week Without Driving, our hearts are full… and broken.
Broken for every life traffic violence has stolen. Broken for the families and neighbors whose lives are forever changed.
But our hearts are also full of hope — because this week showed what’s possible when our community comes together.
A coalition of 17 organizations inspired St. Louisans to walk, roll, and ride in the shoes of vulnerable road users — many for the very first time.
We celebrated progress on a plan we first put forth in 2019: the Tucker Boulevard Cycle Track, part of our larger Connecting St. Louis plan. 4,000 residents and 60 partner groups helped shape this step toward a safer, more connected city.
This collaboration didn’t start with Week Without Driving, and it won’t end there either. Earlier this year…
Four organizations stood with us to present the Transportation Infrastructure Mayoral Forum, to empower and educate voters.
We convened 23 businesses and organizations to celebrate Bike to Work (or Wherever) Day, to show our region how taking alternative transportation can better connect us to our communities.
Our annual Juneteenth Ride transformed into a powerful volunteer activation, as we worked with three organizations to bring food, water, hope, and joy to tornado-stricken communities.
We joined forces with two disability rights organizations for Accessibility by Design: Crafting Complete Streets for All, a workshop on Complete Streets and how we can all better advocate for improved accessibility in transportation infrastructure.
Hope in the midst of tragedy is not a crime. It’s what sustains us — and what propels us forward. Hope is resistance.
Because in the face of loss, anger, and inequity, choosing to believe in a better future — and to celebrate every step toward it — is an act of courage.
But the fight doesn’t end here.
Traffic violence continues to devastate lives across our region. Every person injured or killed on our streets is one too many.
Traffic violence is not the result of individual choices alone — it’s a systemic issue rooted in street design, policy decisions, and which communities have historically been prioritized or overlooked. Solving it requires comprehensive action: better infrastructure, equitable policy, community partnership, and cultural change.
That’s why we’re continuing the work. Trailnet will continue to leverage our expertise in planning, advocacy, and education to prevent traffic violence by…
partnering with Promise Zone communities to co-create safer streets.
equipping neighborhood organizations with tools to advocate for lasting change and empowering residents to engage with the processes that shape our streets for decades to come.
developing plans for safer walking and biking routes to school and funding partner-run bike buses and Earn-A-Bike classes through a Safe Routes to School grant.
We are committed to building and sustaining a diverse coalition of advocates and organizations around a single goal: ending traffic violence. We may have different tactics and approaches to advocacy. Instead of focusing on our differences, we choose to focus on our shared vision.
To our partners, supporters, and community: thank you. Your voices, stories, and advocacy make this movement strong.
The work continues.
The vision is clear.
Together, we’ll build a safer St. Louis for all.
Advocacy Alert: Submit Comments for the 2025 Federal Reauthorization
The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) is asking the public for comments to help shape the next reauthorization bill. This is an incredible opportunity to speak up for walking, accessibility, biking, and transit priorities. Comments are due Sept. 8!
Every five to six years, Congress develops a major piece of legislation meant to shape the country’s transportation system. Often referred to as “reauthorization”, the measure covers everything from policies to programs, rules to funding. The last iteration of this process resulted in the adoption of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021. If you want to know more about the process, click here to see an explainer from the group Transportation for America.
As part of the process this time around, the US Department of Transportation is asking for public comments to help shape how they work with members of Congress to craft parts of the legislation. This is a major opportunity to tell the agency directly that we want to see walking, accessibility, biking, and transit prioritized.
In conjunction with our state and national partners, Trailnet has advocated for priorities that fall into one of the five following areas:
1. Safety over Speed: We need to build a transportation system that safely moves people rather than a system that quickly moves vehicles.
2. Reducing Barriers: We should use the reauthorization process to reduce the barriers that make it hard for communities to build the infrastructure people need.
3. Support Economic Development: Multimodal transportation is good for business, and we should use federal dollars in a way that expands access to jobs and supports local endeavors.
4. Fix It First: Rather than an emphasis on highway expansion, we should prioritize repairing existing roads, sidewalks, trails, and transit.
5. Invest in the Rest: This could mean more support for existing programs, updating vehicle standards, and more.
While we’ve been able to have productive conversations with the federal delegation for the region, we know that it can’t just be us asking legislative leaders to prioritize the modes. That’s where YOU come in.
Follow the four steps below to help Trailnet and our partners speak up for multimodal transportation to USDOT:
Step 1: Develop your comments for submission.
Start your comments with “Secretary Duffy:”
Write a paragraph explaining why greater support for walking, accessibility, biking, or transit is important where you live.
Close out your comments with a sentence or two asking the Secretary to prioritize multimodal transportation policy in the reauthorization process.
Step 2:Click here to go to the page for submitting comments. In order to submit comments, do the following:
Click on the “Comment” button.
On the submission page, copy and paste your words into the section titled “Comment”.
Under “What is your comment about?”, choose “Public Comment(s)” from the dropdown menu.
Follow additional steps on email address, identifying yourself as an individual, and showing you’re not a robot.
Submit your comments!
Step 3: Forward your comments to your House Representative and Senators. Click here if you need to find who they are.
Step 4: Encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same!
Advocacy is a team sport. Especially in the current political climate, it is more important than ever to speak up for our priorities. Trailnet needs the help of everyday folks like YOU to send a clear message to leaders in Washington, D.C. that walking, accessibility, biking, and transit matter and deserve to be prioritized in the next reauthorization bill.
Trailnet’s 2024 Crash Report: Deadliest Year on Record for Pedestrians in the St. Louis Region
Trailnet has released its fifth annual Crash Report, a vital tool for advocacy and education aimed at building safer streets across the St. Louis region. Analyzing crash data from 2024 alongside longer-term trends dating back to 2010, this year’s report reveals an urgent need for systemic change to curb the rising tide of traffic violence — especially for pedestrians and people biking.
In 2024, both St. Louis City and St. Louis County experienced their deadliest year on record for pedestrians, even as some types of crashes declined. While reported crashes involving cyclists and pedestrians dropped by 9.5% from 2023 to 2024, pedestrian deaths surged — up 187% in the City and 24% in the County.
“Each data point in this report represents a life lost or permanently altered,” said Cindy Mense, CEO of Trailnet. “Preventing future tragedies requires a collective commitment — from drivers who must slow down and stay focused, to policymakers and engineers who must design and fund streets that prioritize the safety of everyone, especially those outside of cars.”
Key findings from the 2024 Crash Report include:
In 2024, 23 pedestrians were killed in St. Louis City, and 36 in St. Louis County.
Since 2010, the number of pedestrian and cyclist deaths has increased by 73%, even as total reported crashes have fallen by 35%.
In 2024, nearly 48% of all road fatalities involved people walking, up from 25% in 2010.
Cyclist crashes rose by 38% in the County in 2024 — with 81% of crashes occurring where no bike lanes or trails exist.
Each crash involving a pedestrian or cyclist is becoming deadlier: in 2010, fewer than 2% of those struck died; today, nearly one in 10 dies.
Trailnet’s report identifies wide arterial roads with high speed limits, poor lighting, inadequate pedestrian crossings, and a lack of bike facilities as persistent, dangerous patterns in crash data across the region.
The Crash Report is designed to provide leaders, planners, and advocates with actionable data that can drive life-saving changes. Trailnet calls on policymakers to urgently prioritize infrastructure investments that slow down traffic, create safer crossings, and expand access to protected biking and walking facilities.
“Our region deserves better,” said Mense. “With intentional investment, we can create streets that keep everyone safer and contribute to a vibrant and healthier community.”
Trailnet is pleased to see the voters of the City of St. Louis overwhelmingly passed Proposition T yesterday, approving the enactment of a City Department of Transportation on July 1, 2029.
We take a moment to celebrate and thank the many Alderpersons, community organizations and neighborhood associations who assisted in getting this initiative passed. But the work is not finished.
All City Dept of Transportation supporters must stay vigilant to make sure:
There is proper funding for maintenance of our streets and sidewalks, and all duties the City DOT will provide,
There is proper staffing in place on day one, including newly filled positions, with clearly outlined duties and responsibilities,
All contracts, studies and other materials originally initiated by other departments, but which pertain to the new department’s duties and responsibilities, are turned over to the City DOT for implementation on day one.
While there is ample time for a smooth transition, we hope all who supported the effort continue to monitor the implementation of Prop T and voice their concerns if necessary. It is only through our collective efforts that we will see the successful implementation of our efforts.
Trailnet is deeply saddened by the death of Govan “Kenny” Bonaparte. On Saturday evening, Mr. Bonaparte was crossing the street in his wheelchair when a person driving a vehicle struck and killed him.
This should not happen in our community, but unfortunately, it happens far too often. This crash happened in North St. Louis City, where the streets and sidewalks are frequently in bad shape due to disinvestment in critical infrastructure. However, traffic violence has infected our entire region.
As Trailnet highlights in our annual crash reports, in just the first half of this year, at least 133 people were injured and 13 killed while walking in St. Louis City. In St. Louis County, there have been 101 pedestrians injured and 14 killed.
There are a number of nationally proven steps residents and governmental officials can take for a safer region. They include, but are not limited to:
Demand strong Complete Streets policies and practices,
Adopt and install safer street designs with all possible users in mind, including people in wheelchairs or with a disability, people walking, biking, or catching the bus.
Create a culture of safe driving, where getting behind the wheel is a responsibility to be taken seriously,
Trailnet requests reporters and news departments change the way they depict crashes by implementing people-first language. The car didn’t hit someone, a person driving a car hit someone. We must hold drivers accountable, not the cars they drive.
We can do better. But to do so we must change the way we think about drivers, cars and our streets.
Trailnet, the regional nonprofit dedicated to Safe Streets for All, has reviewed the newly-released design changes proposed by the City Board Of Public Service for Union Blvd from Delmar to West Florissant.
If well-executed, this ARPA-funded project could transform Union, helping connect people on bikes between Bellefontaine Cemetery and Forest Park. However, the majority of the currently proposed design changes are minor and would maintain the status quo on Union.
First, community outreach and engagement has fallen short for all of the ARPA-funded projects, and Union is no exception.
As to the design changes on Union: There is a new road diet proposed with buffered bike lanes between MLK and Natural Bridge. North of Natural Bridge, however, Union would remain essentially unchanged. There are numerous right turn lanes proposed throughout the road diet section, and in some cases, these dedicated right turn lanes are for streets that are only one block long. Dedicated right-turn lanes create dangerous conflicts between cyclists and drivers, and at their core, are the opposite of traffic calming. Right turn lanes serve solely to get slow-moving, turning vehicles out of the way as they turn. This allows vehicles behind the turning car to continue straight ahead without slowing down. When this is paired with Union’s very straight and flat nature, reckless, high speed driving is sure to continue.
As with previous traffic engineering studies of Kingshighway and Jefferson, the lack of protected bike lanes and continuation of unprotected, painted bike lanes is very disappointing. If the City is serious about championing Safe Streets for All, staff will change this design proposal, and others, to make all streets and sidewalks accessible for all residents.
Board Bill 105, Establishing the Automated Camera Enforcement Act:
Initiates the use of automated enforcement cameras, a research-based strategy that is effective in preventing speeding and running red lights.
Mayor Jones approved the bill on 4/17.
Board Bill 106: Establishing the Neighborhood Traffic Safety Improvement Fund and authorizing the appropriation of those funds:
Allocates a portion of the funding from automated enforcement fines to safety improvements in high crash areas.
The bill passed the board 15-0 on 4/15 and awaits the Mayor’s approval.
At the City Charter Commission: Initial approval to put the formation of a City Department of Transportation on the November 2024 ballot, which would be a major step towards improving coordination and efficiency in managing the City’s transportation network.
St. Louis, MO – As Missouri approaches its first Distracted Driving Awareness Month with a Hands-Free Law on the books, Trailnet is committed to educating our neighbors about the benefits of staying focused on the road. That’s why Trailnet is launching its Drive the Change: Buckle Up Phone Down campaign, fueled by General Motors, this April.
We all know that distracted driving is dangerous. Now, it’s also illegal, thanks to the Siddens Bening Hands Free Law, which went into effect on August 28, 2023. The new law prohibits all drivers from using a handheld electronic communication device while driving. Learn more about the law here.
Starting this April, Drive the Change will recruit our neighbors to 1) sign the Buckle Up, Phone Down pledge 2) challenge friends and family to sign the pledge, and 3) display a car magnet and yard sign showing their support during April 2024.
The Buckle Up Phone Down pledge is a challenge initiated by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) to address the two most impactful actions a driver can take to prevent crashes or survive if one occurs.
Now is the perfect opportunity for Missourians to be a part of a changing culture around driving safety. By committing to driving distraction-free, you’re not just following the law — you’re actively contributing to a safer, more caring community.
Trailnet is partnering with other community organizations and businesses including the Hands Free Missouri Coalition, Alpine Shop, BWorks, Billy Goat Bicycles, Bike Walk KC, the Joplin Health Department, MoDOT, Ozark Greenways, Pedego St. Louis, and Southside Cyclery to spread the word about the campaign. Your organization or business can still get involved at trailnet.org/take-the-pledge.
Trailnet invites members of the public and the media to our Saturday, April 6 kick-off event outside Pedego St. Louis along Grant’s Trail, 801 S Holmes Ave, St. Louis, MO 63122. Stop by the kick-off event any time from 10 am to noon. Learn more about the campaign, take the pledge, enjoy a treat, take a ride or walk along Grant’s Trail, and pick up a car magnet and yard sign to show your support. RSVP at https://fb.me/e/6GmucysOM
Trailnet is the St. Louis-region non-profit advocating for better walking, biking and public transit. Founded in 1988, Trailnet’s vision is for Streets for All. Trailnet pursues this vision through four program areas: community planning, education, policy and bike rides. Learn more at trailnet.org or by following us @Trailnet on Facebook and X and @TrailnetSTL on Instagram.
Please reach out to Corinne Austin, Chief Operating Officer, corinne@trailnet.org or 314-520-2324 or Charles Bryson, Policy Catalyst, charles@trailnet.org or 314-560-8447 for more information.
General Motors (NYSE:GM) is a global company focused on advancing an all-electric future that is inclusive and accessible to all. At the heart of this strategy is the Ultium battery platform, which will power everything from mass-market to high-performance vehicles. General Motors, its subsidiaries and its joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Baojun and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in safety services and connected vehicle technology, can be found at https://www.gm.com.
For more information about MoDOT and the Buckle Up Phone Down initiative, call MoDOT at 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org. To receive the latest statewide news and text alerts, signup for e-updates.
Originally published in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Recently, Aldermanic President Megan Green, on St. Louis Public Radio’s Politically Speaking, spoke on the need to address traffic safety during the upcoming aldermanic session. Trailnet, the regional nonprofit dedicated to safe streets for all, has several recommendations for Aldermen to consider.
First, the use of American Rescue Plan Act funds in Ordinance 71650 must include community engagement and safety for pedestrians and cyclists. The city cannot pave and stripe its way to safety for all; protective infrastructure changes must be made.
The aforementioned can be done by enacting new Complete Streets legislation. The City’s current Complete Streets guidelines were recently scored 30 out of 100 by Smart Growth America. A more rigorous complete streets policy, strictly adhered to by city officials, would increase safety for people walking, biking and driving.
Trailnet supports Board Bill#105 on automated enforcement and Board Bill#106 concerning surveillance and the establishment of a Neighborhood Traffic Safety Fund. We are, however, concerned with Board Bill #185 regarding surveillance. We recommend the establishment of a committee, made up of an equal number of residents and city officials, to create policies and monitor the implementation of all the bills.
Finally, keeping the public more informed on infrastructure changes and traffic safety is essential for a safer environment. Providing accessible updates on City infrastructure spending—perhaps on the City website—would promote transparency and allow the public to better understand how projects are progressing.
