Each month we feature a member or members of our community that work to push Trailnet’s vision of Streets for All. We’re thrilled to feature Stephan Tomlinson as our first champion of 2026!
Sometimes, change doesn’t start with a policy paper, a formal campaign, or a big organization. Sometimes, it starts with one neighbor who simply refuses to accept that something unsafe has to stay that way.
This month’s Trailnet Champion, Stephan Tomlinson, is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when one person decides to act — and invites others to act with them.
Stephan didn’t set out to lead a movement. He moved into his Creve Coeur neighborhood with his family and noticed something that didn’t sit right: Fernview Drive, a busy neighborhood street with no sidewalks. As a parent, the safety implications were immediate and personal. For Stephan, this wasn’t abstract planning policy; it was daily life.
“I really just envisioned a neighborhood where I could safely walk out of my front door with my five-year-old,” he said.
When he spoke to Trailnet about these issues, he talked about carrying his daughter until they reached safer streets, about traffic speeds on his road, and about the constant anxiety of walking just a few feet from moving cars. The issue wasn’t aesthetics. It was safety, dignity, access, and quality of life.
That concern turned into action.
When the proposed sidewalk project on Fernview Drive stalled in the City Council, Stephan didn’t assume someone else would fix it. He showed up, and started talking to neighbors. He reached out to Trailnet for guidance, and found the support practical and accessible. He ended up speaking with Cindy Mense, CEO of Trailnet.
“Cindy had great advice. I think what she helped me really think about was sort of expanding beyond some of the people I typically would have reached out to and think about who could tell different stories about why safe streets were so important to our neighborhood.”
He started small with conversations at school bus stops, texts between parents, and knocking on doors. He gathered signatures. He invited people to hearings. He helped neighbors understand that showing up mattered.
And in one of the most human, not to mention memorable moments of organizing, Stephan took advocacy door‑to‑door on Halloween.
Dressed as Gandalf while trick‑or‑treating with his kids, he talked to neighbors about the sidewalk project.
“So I’m walking around on Halloween dressed like Gandalf, and I just started asking people, ‘are you aware of the proposed sidewalk project, and what do you think?’”
He listened, shared information, and invited people to participate. And people responded. He kept at it, even talking to people from his car, giving a shout to folks walking in a part of the neighborhood that didn’t have sidewalks. He’d then pull over and chat with pedestrians about the project, and many signed a letter of support.
What started with a few conversations quickly became something bigger.
Stephan didn’t try to be the face of the effort; he created space for others to bring their own stories forward. Parents. Seniors. People with disabilities. Pet owners. Transit riders. Students. Neighbors who had lived on the street for decades.
“There were so many more people in the community that came out… and they had angles on how safe streets affected them that were not necessarily part of my experience.”
People showed up at a hearing in late November, and shared why sidewalks mattered to their lives.
“People came out and talked about family members with mobility issues, sight issues… there were pet owners, concerned about the safety of their animals, and parents worried about their children waiting at the bus stop early in the morning in the dark on a street with no sidewalk.”
This is what Streets for All looks like in real life: not a slogan, not a campaign line, but neighbors recognizing that different people have different needs, and that safe infrastructure serves everyone. Stephan reflected on what was going through his mind at the November meeting as people were speaking:
“There were people saying, ‘I can’t take a walk in my own neighborhood because I don’t have anywhere to go and I’m stuck in my house,’ and that hit me. That then pushed it into another level of quality — what community is about, our responsibility to each other, and who we’re planning communities for. If you’re concerned about these sidewalks and you’re never going to use them, that’s fine. You don’t have to. But if your neighbor literally can’t get exercise because there’s nowhere for them to go, or they don’t have a car…people have different needs. The sidewalks help support them in a lot of different ways, whether it’s making it safer for them to get to the bus stop, whether it’s folks who you know have mobility or other challenges getting around, or parents who want their kids to be safe. There’s just a lot of different planning goals that I think that will be met when it finally gets installed.”
When the project finally received approval, it wasn’t because of one voice — it was because one voice helped unlock many.
And that’s why Stephan is our Trailnet Champion of the Month.
He saw a problem, reached out for support, organized with care, and showed his community what collective action looks like.
This is the power of one person — not acting alone, but gathering people, building relationships, and moving the needle together.
Stephan’s story is a reminder that Streets for All isn’t just Trailnet’s mission; it’s something communities build themselves, one conversation at a time, one neighbor at a time, one brave act of involvement at a time.
Sometimes, all it takes to change a street is someone willing to knock on a door — or ring a doorbell in a Gandalf costume — and start the conversation.
Trailnet Champion: Charles Bryson
Each month we feature a member or members of our community that work to push Trailnet’s vision of Streets for All. For November, we’re delighted to feature Charles Bryson!
Charles Bryson spent more than three years dedicating himself to Trailnet and the local movement for safer streets. His impact on our work — and on the broader transportation landscape in St. Louis — cannot be understated. As Charles moves on to his next chapter, we want to recognize his accomplished tenure as our Policy Catalyst and express our deep gratitude for all he helped advance.
Charles joined Trailnet in June 2022 with decades of diverse experience, including a formative stint as Director of The City of St. Louis Civil Rights Enforcement Agency. In his introductory message to Trailnet’s stakeholders, Charles made his overarching goal clear:
“[I’m here to] Listen. Listen to what the community is saying. Look at how our policies, procedures and practices can impact the needs of those various communities… The one thing I want to be able to accomplish is to listen to folks and address their needs.”
As a Trailnet employee, Charles attended countless hours of neighborhood association meetings, community town halls, and board of alderman committee meetings. And he did more than just listen. He leveraged the relationships he had formed as a lifelong public servant to advocate for changes at the City, County, and State levels. He spoke out as an ambassador for multimodal transportation and safer streets across the St. Louis region. He worked intentionally (and often outside of standard working hours) to effectively address the needs of the people.
In 2025, Charles played a pivotal role in strengthening Trailnet’s advocacy and expanding our impact. He developed and launched Trailnet’s Transportation Infrastructure Mayoral Forum, giving St. Louisans a platform to speak directly with candidates about the region’s transportation future. He also led the creation of our Aldermanic Candidate Survey, helping residents understand where their leaders stand on critical multimodal and safety issues. Charles organized Accessible by Design: Crafting Complete Streets for All, a hands-on workshop that empowered community members — especially disabled advocates — to push for more accessible, equitable infrastructure. And true to his commitment to education and transparency, he spent countless hours in meetings across the region explaining Complete Streets principles, breaking down policy barriers, and helping everyday people understand how change actually happens. When asked what makes advocacy successful, Charles emphasized clarity of purpose and understanding the landscape: “One must know what they want, the climate they’re working in, who’s responsible, and when to ask.” His guidance for community members reflected that same grounded wisdom: show up, know the process, and know whom to ask — and when.
Charles’ proudest accomplishment at Trailnet was the passage of the St. Louis City Department of Transportation by the voters. City DOT’s creation will give the City an unprecedented opportunity to centrally “plan transportation infrastructure and execute city sidewalk and street repair and replacement,” said Charles.
The City DOT advocacy campaign required loads of leg work from Charles, as one of its chief advocates. “It had to go through the City Charter Commission, where it passed unanimously; then to the Board of Aldermen, who passed the proposal 14-1; and finally to the City voters, who approved it with an 88.5% vote when it only needed 60% to pass,” explained Charles. The magnitude of that victory was, in itself, proof of Charles’ effectiveness as an advocate and leader.
Though much of his work happened in meeting rooms, Zoom links, and policy documents, Charles’ commitment extended far beyond the formal spaces of advocacy. He showed up — reliably, thoughtfully, and wholeheartedly — for the community members, partners, and colleagues working toward a safer St. Louis. His steady presence and principled approach strengthened Trailnet’s work in ways that will benefit the region for years to come. We are deeply grateful for his service, his leadership, and the legacy he leaves behind.
Safe Routes to School Update
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.
Trailnet and Partners Celebrate Start of Tucker Boulevard Cycle Track
Cindy Mense, Trailnet CEO, speaks to supporters and members of the press in front of City Hall during a celebration for the start of construction on Tucker Boulevard on Sept. 30.
A vision for a more vibrant, connected, and welcoming downtown takes shape
Today, city leaders, advocates, and community partners gathered to celebrate the Tucker Boulevard Cycle Track, a transformative project that will make downtown St. Louis more connected, welcoming, and vibrant.
Stretching nearly one mile from Washington Avenue to Chouteau Avenue, the Tucker Boulevard Cycle Track will deliver safer, more organized infrastructure through the heart of downtown. The project is more than just a cycletrack; it also includes improvements in pedestrian safety, ADA-compliance, and bus stop access, creating a street that better serves everyone, no matter if they’re walking, biking, rolling, taking transit, or driving.
The project is a key piece of Trailnet’s Connecting St. Louis Plan, a long-term vision first launched in 2017 to create a citywide network of safe, connected routes linking neighborhoods, jobs, and destinations. The Tucker improvements represent that vision coming to life — a major step toward a St. Louis that is easier to navigate, more inviting to visitors, and more livable for all residents.
“This project is a powerful example of what’s possible when partners come together around a shared vision — a vision shaped by over 60 organizations and 4,000 residents — to design streets that put people first and connect everyday destinations through safe, convenient routes.” said Cindy Mense, CEO of Trailnet.
The City of St. Louis is implementing the project with federal TAP (Transportation Alternatives Program) funding with design support and early advocacy from Trailnet, who was supported by partners including Greater St. Louis, PeopleForBikes, and the William A. Kerr Foundation. The project aligns with the City’s efforts to modernize its infrastructure and enhance multimodal connectivity throughout the region.
Upon its completion in Spring 2026, Tucker Boulevard will connect to existing and planned routes like the Chestnut Street bike lanes, Chouteau Avenue improvements, and the Brickline Greenway, serving as a vital link in St. Louis’ growing multimodal network.
“I’m thrilled about what we’re going to be doing here on Tucker Boulevard,” said Mayor Cara Spencer. “Along with other great infrastructure, this will connect these individual pieces into one great system, allowing St. Louisans and visitors to get around our city in safer, more enjoyable, and healthier ways.”
The press conference coincides with Week Without Driving, a national campaign led locally by Trailnet that invites participants to imagine what it’s like to rely on walking, biking, or transit for daily trips, and to experience firsthand the value of streets that work for everyone.
Left to right: Jen Wade, Area Engineer at MoDOT; Sarah Arnosky Ko, Vice President of Greater St. Louis Inc; Cara Spencer, Mayor of the City of St. Louis; and Cindy Mense, CEO of Trailnet
Each month we feature a member or members of our community that work to push Trailnet’s vision of Streets for All. For September, we’re featuring Last Stop Bike Shop!
When you ride with Trailnet, chances are you’ve already benefited from the generosity and expertise of Last Stop Bike Shop — whether you knew it or not. Owners Aaron Grant and Casey Oliver have become some of the most reliable behind-the-scenes champions of our rides and events.
From running SAG support at Trailnet community and partner rides, to hauling our gear when needed, to coming into the Trailnet office for a “bike maintenance day” so our whole staff could keep riding smoothly — Last Stop Bike Shop shows up. And they do it with the same philosophy that drives their business: meet people where they are and keep them riding.
A whole-package approach to bike care
Aaron and Casey bring complementary strengths to their shop and the cycling community. “My specialty is fitting bikes correctly — making sure riders have the right saddle, proper leg extension, and the knowledge they need to have a great ride,” Aaron explains. “Casey is all about the nuts and bolts, keeping bikes running smoothly and on schedule. Together, we’re kind of the whole package.”
That combination makes Last Stop Bike Shop more than just a service counter — it makes them a trusted partner who can anticipate needs, listen carefully, and get riders back on their bikes with confidence.
Why Trailnet matters
The partnership between Trailnet and Last Stop Bike Shop goes beyond event logistics. “We enjoy our close relationship with Trailnet because, like us, they’re looking ahead — planning the future projects that make cycling better for everyone,” Aaron says. “Without advocacy and support, projects don’t get done. The future I want to live in has a lot more bicycles in it and a lot more walkable, bikeable infrastructure. Trailnet’s vision aligns perfectly with that.”
Building a bike-friendly future
Aaron describes himself as a “man of vision(s),” and his passion shines through in every conversation about cycling. For him and Casey, the joy of cycling isn’t something to keep to themselves — it’s something to share widely. “It is very rewarding to help someone discover a love of cycling,” Aaron says. “We want Last Stop Bike Shop to be a name people know for good fun, quality service, and helping grow the city’s bike paths and facilities.”
The shop already has plans for more events, partnerships, and classes, with big ideas on the horizon for 2026 and beyond. Their goal? To stay rooted in the St. Louis cycling scene for years to come, helping more people experience the joy of getting around by bike.
Last Stop Bike Shop embodies what it means to be Trailnet Champions. They don’t just fix bikes — they build community, support safer streets, and keep people riding. We’re grateful to have them as partners and friends in this movement.
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 Champion: Nick Chabarria
Each month we feature a member or members of our community that work to push Trailnet’s vision of Streets for All. For August, we’ve featuring Nick Chabarria, Public Affairs Senior Specialist for AAA Missouri!
Two years ago, Missouri took a historic step toward safer roads: the passage of the Siddens Bening Hands Free Law, which prohibits drivers from using cell phones or other electronic devices while driving. The law is a landmark win for safety advocates across the state, and it wouldn’t have happened without the tireless work of people like Nick Chabarria, Public Affairs Senior Specialist for AAA Missouri.
Trailnet has long championed safer streets for people who walk, bike, and use transit, and distracted driving makes our streets more dangerous for everyone. Nick and AAA Missouri were key partners in the Hands Free Missouri Coalition, helping build the coalition, mobilize the public, and carry the message through the halls of the State Capitol.
Nick didn’t begin his career in policy, but in journalism. After graduating from the University of Missouri–Columbia with a degree in journalism (and minors in Spanish and linguistics), he worked at TV news stations in Columbia, Cape Girardeau, and New Orleans in both on-camera and behind-the-scenes roles. That experience, he says, helped shape how he approaches public affairs today.
Nick Chabarria speaking to a member of the press. Photo courtesy of Nick Chabarria.
Now, as a spokesperson for AAA Missouri, Nick covers a seven-state territory and oversees community programs and legislative activity, with traffic safety at the core of his work. When AAA began seriously pursuing hands-free legislation in 2021, those communication skills quickly came into play. “I primarily leveraged my public relations connections with local media around the state to talk about the dangers of distracted driving and why enhancing Missouri’s distracted driving law was so critical to improving safety for all road users,” Nick recalls.
AAA joined the Hands-Free Missouri Coalition at a time when distracted driving deaths were rising and Missouri lagged behind other states in safety protections. Nick stepped into a leadership role, serving as interim chair of the coalition and becoming one of the most visible public voices for the cause.
He helped link together efforts already underway — from MoDOT’s Buckle Up Phone Down campaign to grassroots advocates across the state — and gave them a singular focus: making Missouri a hands-free state. He also engaged youth through the Buckle Up Phone Down High School Showdown, a pledge contest that turned safe driving into a statewide conversation.
Nick is quick to credit the broad coalition that made this victory possible: “Getting the Siddens Bening Hands Free Law across the finish line in 2023 was a full team effort. It was truly inspiring to see all the individual and collaborative efforts going on statewide to raise awareness of the issue and encourage the public to support the bill by reaching out to their local legislators. Trailnet’s contributions during that time cannot be understated, particularly as it relates to their advocacy for pedestrians, cyclists, and multimodal road users. Whether it was through their Drive the Change educational campaign or supporting our legislative outreach days at the Missouri State Capitol, it was great to have a partner in Trailnet who we knew we could count on.”
The signing of the Siddens Bening Hands Free Law. Photo courtesy of Nick Chabarria.
For Nick, some of the most powerful moments came not in legislative hearings, but during Distracted Driving Awareness Day at the Missouri State Capitol. Each year, the event brings together lawmakers, law enforcement, transportation leaders, and — most importantly — families who have lost loved ones to distracted driving.
“Most impactful for me each year is hearing from our incredible distracted driving victim advocates, Adrienne Siddens, Stephany Bening, and Warren Douglas,” he says. “Each of these people have lost someone who meant the world to them in traffic crashes and to see their bravery as they share their stories, it’s hard not to get emotional. I can’t possibly imagine what they have gone through, but I can tell you that because of their courage our roads are safer today. Getting to work with our victim advocates in the hopes of preventing tragedy from occurring to other families is why I will always feel so honored and fortunate to work in this space.”
Since the law passed, telematics data already shows that Missouri drivers are using their phones about 5% less while behind the wheel — an early sign that lives are being saved.
Nick reflects on the coalition with gratitude. “It really seems like this group was brought together for a reason,” he says. “Everyone had their role to play and contributed to Hands-Free Missouri in different ways and I am just proud to be able to say I was a small part of that.”
The Siddens Bening Hands Free Law is already making an impact, but its true legacy lies ahead — in the crashes prevented, lives saved, and families spared from tragedy. Thanks to leaders like Nick Chabarria, and partners like AAA Missouri and others across the state, Missouri is on a path toward safer roads for everyone.
Advocacy Alert: Restore Transit Funding in the Missouri Budget
Last-minute budget cuts could make life harder for families, employers, and local governments in Missouri, but if we act together, we can take action to reverse the cuts.
Graphic: Missouri Public Transit Association
Gov. Kehoe issued a line item veto in the Missouri state budget which slashed transit funding by 42%. If allowed to stand, this cut will worsen existing transit challenges, making it harder for Missourians to reach jobs, healthcare, and other essential resources. With your help, we can urge state legislators to restore this critical funding during the September veto session.
Each year, the Missouri legislature must adopt a proposed budget and send it to the governor for review and approval. The governor can then issue line-item vetoes — removing all or part of specific items within the proposed budget.
When Missouri legislators sent the proposed FY 2026 state budget to Gov. Kehoe, he used his veto pen and reduced the amount of transit funding from $11.7 million to $6.7 million (a 42% decrease). You can learn more about the cuts from this piece by Citizens for Modern Transit.
Why is the loss of this funding such an issue for the 30 transit providers across the state, including Metro Transit? Consider this:
Graphic: Missouri Public Transit Association
State funding enables local communities to bring in some of the $91 billion in federal funds earmarked for transit.
Missouri’s per capita spending on transit has dropped from $1.89 to $1.08, making it the lowest per capita spending among neighboring states.
Metro Transit provides over 19.6 million rides annually, producing vital connectivity across the St. Louis region.
Investment in public transportation pays off, with every $1 invested producing approximately $4 in economic returns. Recent investments, including system-wide safety improvements, have the potential to transform mobility throughout the Metro service area. Funding cuts threaten this future.
We can’t allow this to happen. That’s why Trailnet and our partners across the region and the state need YOUR help. Here’s what you can do:
Use this link to find your state senator and state representative.
Email your state legislators and ask them to overturn Gov. Kehoe’s veto of transit funding.
Urge your friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers to do the same.
The Missouri Legislature will meet for a veto session on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. Our best chance to stop these cuts from taking effect is to urge our state legislators to override Gov. Kehoe’s veto on transit funding.
The reductions to transit funding are more than just numbers on a page; they represent the loss of access to the resources that all Missourians need to achieve and maintain a good quality of life. Organizations like Trailnet recognize this, and that’s why we need your help to restore what could be lost.
Trailnet Champion: St. Louis Coalition to Protect Cyclists and Pedestrians
Each month we feature a member or members of our community that work to push Trailnet’s vision of Streets for All. For July, we’ve featuring the St. Louis Coalition to Protect Cyclists and Pedestrians!
If you’ve spent time riding a bike, walking, or waiting at a bus stop in St. Louis, you’ve likely experienced firsthand how challenging, and at times, dangerous, our streets can be. The founders of the St. Louis Coalition to Protect Cyclists and Pedestrians (CP2) know this reality all too well. What started as a group of friends riding together and voicing their frustrations became something much bigger: a growing grassroots movement demanding change.
CP2 was founded in summer 2024 by advocates Dani Adams and Jenn DeRose, who met through other bike volunteer efforts. Brought together by their shared love of biking and a deep concern for street safety, the group grew, and quickly evolved into a hub for collective action. The energy was palpable from the start; nearly 40 people showed up to their very first meeting! Since then, CP2 has consistently organized events and initiatives that amplify the voices of those often overlooked in transportation planning. CP2 recently became a working group of the St. Louis Urbanists, and their ranks and influence continue to grow. The core leadership of the include Adams and DeRose, along with Samuel Bendriem, Aubrey Bryon, Jemila Collier, Christian Frommelt, Noah Goldman, Kea Wilson, and Matt Wyczalkowski.
On the third Friday of each month, CP2 leads bike and bus rides to City Hall, a visible show of solidarity among people who walk, bike, and take transit. These monthly actions often culminate in the delivery of letters to city leaders: personal stories, calls for better street design across many St. Louis roads, and demands for a fully funded, fully empowered Department of Transportation (among other things). These aren’t just symbolic gestures; they’re coordinated efforts to remind decision-makers that safe streets are a basic right.
Beyond their regular rides, CP2 has taken an active role in educating and mobilizing the public. They’ve conducted walk and bike audits across the city to identify hazards, brought attention to open houses and public meetings concerning infrastructure plans, collected speed data for dangerous streets, and partnered with Trailnet and other advocacy groups to host the Transportation Infrastructure Mayoral Forum in February, helping St. Louis residents better understand where candidates stand on key transportation issues. After the forum, they were instrumental in crafting questions for the Aldermanic Survey.
They’ve also created space for learning and strategy-building. CP2 hosted a proactive organizing workshop to equip community members with tools to advocate for safer streets, and co-hosted an event with Left Bank Books to welcome Anna Zivarts, author of When Driving is Not an Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency, a powerful book that highlights how many Americans cannot drive and what must change to improve mobility for all.
Cyclists on the July 13 Gravois Safety Ride. Photo by Samuel Bendriem
Most recently, CP2 led a Gravois Safety Ride, inviting cyclists to experience and reflect on one of St. Louis’ most dangerous roads. The event not only raised awareness, but helped gather signatures for a petition to the City of St. Louis and the Missouri Dept. of Transportation demanding urgent safety improvements to Gravois Avenue, and also put out a call for pedestrians and cyclists to share their experiences on Gravois.
At its core, CP2 is building a culture of people-powered advocacy. They encourage everyday residents to share their lived experiences, participate in public processes, and speak directly to city leaders. You don’t need to be a planner or engineer to demand safer streets — you just need to show up and raise your voice. CP2 is helping more and more St. Louisans do exactly that.
Trailnet is happy to uplift CP2’s efforts because we both believe in promoting the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users, and we’re proud to feature them as this month’s Trailnet Champion. Their tenacity, creativity, and commitment to advocacy is helping shape a safer, more equitable future for everyone who uses our streets.
