TrailNet
St. Louis, Missouri
Source: Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC)
Problem
The St. Louis area was in need of a better trail system to make the city more pedestrian and bicycle friendly.
Background
Trailnet was founded in 1988 to promote the St. Louis Riverfront trail, still one of the longest multiuse trails in the region. Since then it has either led or partnered to lead development on more than 8 different bi-state trails, including the "MetroBikeLink" -- a cycling path that follows the MetroLink commuter rail line and is connected to a park-and-ride so that commuters may choose to bicycle part of their commute.
Solution
The organization is an exceptionally active non-profit that sponsors a variety of activities to promote active living. In 2005, they began a family oriented "Pedal in Our Parks" bicycle ride series, which incorporated bicycle safety training and returned to one of five partnering cultural destinations at the end of the ride. The Bicycle Fun Ride program sponsors 20 different rides annually for varying skill levels, and brings out about 500 participants on average. Trailnet is also active in the schools, and has worked to expand the Safe Routes to School program into a greater number of school districts.
One of the rides organized by Bicycle Fun Ride.
The group is not only education and promotion driven, and maintains a competent staff. They receive funding from the East-West Gateway Council of Governments to develop bicycle and pedestrian plans for local communities. They completed 10 such plans in 2006. In 2005, they worked with the regional transportation planning agency to help develop the Marketing and Education section of the plan, which emphasizes the benefits of walking and bicycling to all people, not just those who choose to use those modes. The organization currently is also the lead non-profit partner in the development of The Confluence Project, which is a 200 square mile recreation corridor going through downtown and following two separate rivers.
Trailnet receives a majority of its funding through grants and contracts, however a large portion (35 percent) comes from member contributions, and another 12 percent comes from consulting work, investments, and other earned income.
Contact
Grant's Trail Office
(314) 416-9930
www.trailnet.org
Images Source
Trailnet. www.trailnet.org.
