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.
A team of Spire volunteers constructed an all new walking and biking path on the property of Bayless Elementary School this summer!
The project was the result of a collaboration between Trailnet, Spire and Bayless Schools, funded by Spire Serves and carried out by volunteers through Spire’s Day for Good program.
The trail will connect the surrounding neighborhood with the school and provide awesome opportunities for bike education and recreation for Bayless students.
“We love opportunities like this,” said George Godat, Vice President and General Manager MoEast at Spire. “We provide opportunities for our employees to do a day of good in the community each year, and we also have dollars that we put into the community. Trailnet was able to apply for some funds from our Spire Serves program. We gave them $10,000 to provide the materials and labor, then our team came out and got to work. It was the perfect partnership for us and something we’re really excited about.”
Thanks to the Spire Team for cranking out a beautiful path that will result in years of recreation and bike education for our young neighbors!
Trailnet Applauds County Councilmembers, County Executive as BB#86 Veto is Sustained
BB#86 would have unfairly targeted pedestrians, residents with disabilities, unhoused people and other vulnerable road users.
On Tuesday evening, the St. Louis County Council sustained County Executive Dr. Sam Page’s veto of County Council BB#86. This bill, introduced by Councilmember Trakas, would have made it “unlawful for any person to walk or otherwise move along and upon, stand upon, or sit in an adjacent roadway,” where sidewalks are provided.
Trailnet wishes to thank the members of the County Council who voted down this bill, and in doing so, protected the interests of people walking, people with disabilities, people using mobility devices, runners and all others who are forced to make strategic decisions with every step they take along our unsafe streets and sidewalks.
We also acknowledge and thank the many advocates—both individuals and organizations—who collaborated with us in writing to councilmembers and the County Executives’ office, strongly objecting to BB#86. While we did not know many of you before this effort, we have bonded over our joint commitment to the idea that people ought to be able to move as necessary to get to their destinations safely.
Trailnet recommends the County Executive and Council reopen the County’s 2019 Action Plan for Walking and Biking to address some of the issues Councilmember Trakas discussed. In addition, although it is outdated, the County passed a Complete Streets Ordinance in 2014 which sets out the general principles for accommodating all users when streets are designed, maintained or repaired. Together both of these documents provide a good starting point for discussions on pedestrian, sidewalk and road safety.
Again, our thanks to the many partners and we look forward to future collaborations.
Trailnet and our partners strongly recommend that St. Louis County officials avoid taking steps in the wrong direction in 2023. Instead, we encourage the County to work with us to develop strategies that keep the safety and interests of vulnerable road users at the forefront.
Trailnet was invited to be a part of the signing of the St. Louis Safer Streets Bill on March 1. Here’s what that means, why we’re excited, and what more needs to be done.
On Wednesday morning, March 1, 2023, City of St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones signed the St. Louis Safer Streets Bill (also referred to as Board Bill 120) into law.
This is a huge win. It marks the City’s largest-ever investment into street safety and infrastructure, and Trailnet was invited to be a part of the ceremony.
We couldn’t have done this without support from our members and community.
Together, we have fought for pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users over the last three decades. We laid the groundwork for change by shifting the conversation, focusing on systems, and gradually building public support. We sounded the alarm about traffic violence with the Crash Report. We built relationships with decision makers and met with elected officials.
The work isn’t over, though. Now, the funding must be carefully applied, on a comprehensive scale, to the problems it hopes to solve.
As Trailnet CEO Cindy Mense said in her remarks to the press, “While improving infrastructure is crucial, it will not, on its own, deter reckless drivers or put an end to the plague of traffic violence…. Trailnet and our partners stand ready to work with the administration in pursuing a vision of zero traffic injuries and fatalities on our streets.”
Together, we will continue to fight for Streets for All.
Trailnet’s Weekly Roundup
The following is Trailnet’s Weekly Roundup of local and national news, highlighting multi modal transportation. Interested in working with us, wanting tips on how to stay motivated during the winter, or looking to learn more about traffic calming measures? Then we have you covered!
Trailnet released two job openings this week; we are looking for folks that want to see St. Louis seamlessly connected for people to comfortably walk, bike and use transit every day. Click here, to view our current job openings.
Bicycling Magazine highlights how to stay motivated this winter. Click here to read more.
Saris, a bike rack company, is coming out with bike lane delineators. These are marketed more towards single day or two pop-ups’. Click here to learn more.
Will old Rock Island rail line get new life as a trail? Missouri waits and you can read more here, via STL Today.
Bicycling Magazine outlined the best strength exercises for cyclists. Click here to view.
Singletracks gives us more proof that biking improves quality of life! Click here to read about how mountain biking fulfills humanity’s most basic needs.
In collaboration with the City of St. Louis & many community partners, Trailnet is working to create a network of safer residential streets. Click here to read 5 ways to make the case for traffic calming measures, via Strong Towns.
This city built a five-street downtown protected bike lane network in 2015. Click here to read more, via Peopleforbikes.com.
Trailnet’s Weekly Roundup
It was another big week for multimodal transportation news, locally and nationally. View Trailnet’s Weekly Round-up!
Treehugger posted a story, praising slow urban biking riding. “I know, but one of the keys to happy urban cycling is learning how to slow down. Riding more slowly in a city is safer, calmer, more relaxing and is conducive to being in the moment and enjoying the surroundings.” Click here to read more.
St. Louis Magazine gives an overview of why those controversial balls on Compton Avenue are a good and necessary thing. Click here to read more.
Trailnet combines public health and planning because we know walkable cities are a prescription for better health. Here’s more proof, via Treehugger. Click here to read the full article.
MoDOT – St. Louis is looking for input on potential bike lanes on St. Charles Rock Road. Trailnet strongly supports bike lanes on St. Charles Rock Road, as they play a critical role in connecting people biking in North St. Louis County. The segment would connect the Rock Road MetroLink station to St. Vincent Park and the St. Vincent Greenway. Click here, to submit your feedback by Sunday, February 11th.
Singletracks outlines how mountain biking fulfills humanity’s most basic needs. Click here to read more.
A billion children are now growing up in urban areas. But not all cities are planned with their needs in mind. Click here to learn what a child-friendly city looks like, via CityLab.
Trailnet has partnered with Urban Chestnut Brewing Company, to create an exclusive beer for our 30th Anniversary! We know it will be a pilsner style and we will have it on tap at our Chili Party on March 10th – but we still need a name. What should we call it? Click here, to submit your choice!
Super Bowl was Sunday, but biking is the real winner! Click here, to see 4 Super Bowl players who moonlight as cyclists, via Bicycling Magazine.
As Puerto Ricans recover, some of them are fighting for better combinations of bikes and transit. Click here to read more, via Peopleforbikes.com.
Trailnet salutes Zee Bee Market LLC, an amazing source for socially and environmentally conscious gifts from around the world. Click here to read “New Year, New Feels”, a beautifully written blog by Julio Zegarra-Ballon, with Zee Bee market.
Thanks for supporting Trailnet in our work to make St. Louis a more equitable and multimodal transportation-friendly city!
Trailnet’s Weekly Roundup
January is often a time of reflection; at Trailnet, we are proud to look back at the last 3 decades, in celebration of our 30th anniversary. This week we launched our winter newsletter, click hereto read about our anniversary activities, how we’re moving the Vision forward in 2018 & more.
On Thursday, we launchedTrailnet TV. Each week, we will produce a Facebook Livestream interview with the staff members of Trailnet, featuring St. Louis insights, transportation updates & more. Tune into www.facebook.com/trailnetevery Thursday at 9 AM, for Trailnet TV.
Peopleforbikes posed the question, as bike-share programs grow, how can they better reach underserved communities?Click here to hear their insights.
Read about The Bike That Saved My Life, via The New York Times.Click here for the article.
Filling the vacant STL Bike/Pedestrian Coordination position is a top priority for the City of St. Louis Government, Trailnet & important civic partners. View the qualifications,here.
Need some motivation? View the 5 Cities With the Most Badass Winter Bike Commuters, viaBicycling.com.
Starting this week, Portland’s default speed on non-arterial residential streets will slow to 20 mph, which is part of the city’s ongoing Vision Zero efforts.Click here to read more, via Next City.
Officials unveil plans for light rail connecting north St. Louis to South County.Click here to view KMOV’s story.
From seasoned athletes to Detroit’s youth, this indoor bike track is creating more opportunities to ride, via Peopleforbikes. Learn about the Indoor Velodrome here.
What went wrong with St. Louis’ Amazon bid? Depends who you ask, via the St. Louis Business Journal. Click hereto read more.
Epic Rides added shorter, beginner rides to its slate of events and has never looked back, via Peopleforbikes. Read more here.
It was another busy week for transportation, both nationally and locally. We hope you will continue to connect with us, to help us create a more multi-modal friendly St. Louis.
Cliff Cave Trail Expansion Under Attack
An important expansion to Cliff Cave Park in south St. Louis County, years under development and with broad public support, is being stopped by one new St. Louis County Council member.
Trakas claims that emails on the subject are running 50-50 for and against the trail–and we need to change that in a BIG way if we want to save this important trail. We need 10-to-1 in support–or better. Your help is vital.
Please take 2 minutes today to call & email Councilman Ernie Trakas “I support the Cliff Cave Park Trail – Please don’t slow or stop it.”
For several years, Great Rivers Greenway and St. Louis County Parks have been working on the Cliff Cave Park Trail, a key connector in the Mississippi Greenway.
The planned trail is beautiful and will connect people who walk and bicycle over several difficult obstacles to an amazing overlook and miles of riverfront trail.
Construction is set to start in March. But a new St. Louis County Council member is threatened to stop the trail altogether. He claims that messages are running 50/50 for/against the trail and we need to change that in a BIG way today.
Be polite and persuasive when you contact your elected officials–this is by far the most effective approach.
Use a brief, clear subject line such as “I strongly support the Cliff Cave Park Trail”
Clearly state that you strongly support the trail and strongly oppose his effort to slow or stop it. You support it and support moving forward with it quickly. Unfortunately in this case, delay is equivalent to opposition. Trakas is trying spin his opposition as “just slowing down to take time to consider the options” but the problem is, the trail is been under study and consideration for many years with all sorts of public meetings involving thousands of people and public comments. With money already spent and preliminary construction underway, Trakas knows that delay will kill the project–which is what a very few, very persistent neighbors want.
A short message is as effective or more effective than a long one.
Include your connection to the County (live, work, visit, vacation, etc) , especially if you live work, or visit St. Louis County District 6, Ernie Trakas’s district in SE St. Louis County.
Include a sentence or two, or a quick story, showing why trails, bicycling, and walking are important to you personally, to your community, and/or to St. Louis County.
Your message is about Cliff Cave Park specifically, but is also a valuable opportunity to raise the profile and importance of trails, bicycling, and walking with the St. Louis County Council.
County Council members need to know that the County has many strong supporters of the bicycle, pedestrian, and trail system in the County.
We are working closely with our local partners, members, and affected agencies on this effort, including Trailnet, the regional St. Louis area advocacy group that works the create positive change in the St. Louis bi-state region by encouraging healthy, active living and that founded the region’s trail system in the 1990s. Look for more information coming soon from both us and our local and regional partners on this important issue.
Contact Information for St. Louis County Council
If you live in the County, contact your own County Council representative and also cc: Mr. Trakas, who is the key decision-maker on this issue.
If you don’t live in the County or have a connection to a particular Council District, you might email Mr. Trakas and cc: Steven Stenger, St. Louis County Executive.
Phone calls are very helpful. And email message is also helpful, and both phone and email followup is best of all. A posted letter or fax is also very effective, simply because constuents more rarely take the time to send a ‘real’ letter and that makes each one more impactful.
Councilman Dolan was sponsor and a major supporter of St. Louis County’s Complete Streets initiative. You might thank him for his prior support of walking and bicycling in the County.
You might cc: Carmen Wilkerson on any email message you send to Councilman Trakas. We understand that Councilman Trakas’s voice mail has been full; again you might call and speak with (or leave a message with) his assistant instead.
January is often a time of reflection; at Trailnet, we are proud to look back at the last 3 decades, in celebration of our 30th anniversary. This week we launched our winter newsletter, 
