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.”
Spire and Trailnet Collaborate on New Bike Path at Bayless Elementary
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!
For the third year, Trailnet is releasing a first quarter Crash Report, which compares the number of bicycle, pedestrian, and vehicular crashes from January 2023 to March 2023 to the same time period in 2022 within the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County.
There are a few trends worth noting:
12 people were injured while walking or biking on Grand Blvd in the City of St. Louis in Q1.
Gravois Ave was the next highest crash corridor in the City. 8 people walking were injured. There were zero fatalities on Gravois in Q1.
A new high crash corridor emerged in St. Louis County. Clayton Rd, which was not a top crash corridor in either of our last two annual reports, has already been the site of three crashes in the County.
The Governors Highway Safety Association recently reported that, in 2022, the nation notched its highest number of pedestrian deaths since 1981. In St. Louis those numbers have continued to rise in 2023, with crashes in most categories increasing or holding steady in Q1.
The City of St. Louis’ BB120 funding has focused some of its attention on Trailnet’s previously-named high-crash corridors, which is a good start. We want to acknowledge the City for dedicating resources to this epidemic. Trailnet looks forward to learning more about how we can support the design and review of these infrastructure plans to help expedite the process towards construction.
In addition, we encourage both City and County officials to supplement infrastructure improvements with more urgent measures, including quick-build solutions, equitably implemented traffic enforcement and improved drivers education.
Trailnet will continue tracking this crash data—and regional leaders’ response to traffic violence— throughout 2023.
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.
