In this issue:
- Trailnet Rides Are Coming
- Where's the City at on Automated Enforcement?
- Our Team is Growing!
- Upcoming Funded Projects...
- How Should the City Use Its Money?
- Trailnet Champion: Michael Schwartz
- What We're Reading

Trailnet Rides Are Coming
The first two events of the 2024 Rides Season are scheduled!

Beans, Bikes and Brews is March 19, 2024 from 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm at the Shrewsbury City Center - Sunset Room. Steve's Hot Dogs will provide chili, toppings, cornbread. Trailnet will bring the beer, soda, and cookies. Come one, come all to kick off the 2024 Trailnet Rides Season in community!

And... Save the Date for our first Trailnet Classic of the year the Ste. Genevieve Gravel Classic will be April 27, 2024!

Buy Your Ticket for Beans!

Where's the City at on Automated Enforcement?
Here's what you need to know about three relevant bills that are currently being considered by the board of aldermen.

Trailnet and our partners in the St. Louis Community Mobility Committee have been advocating for better, more equitable traffic enforcement. Automated enforcement was proposed as a solution in 2023, and bills were introduced late last year.

We are closely following the Board of Aldermen as they deliberate on some crucial legislation. Here's a simple breakdown:

Board Bill#105: Automated Camera Enforcement Act - Defines automated enforcement and authorizes the installation of automated traffic control systems in the City.

Board Bill#106: Neighborhood Traffic Safety Improvement Fund - Establishes the Neighborhood Traffic Safety Improvement Fund, which authorizes the use of ticket revenue for certain projects to prevent traffic violence and improve traffic safety citywide.

Board Bill#185: City Use of Surveillance Technology - Sets forth regulations for the use of any surveillance technology implemented by the City of St. Louis...

As we watch this legislative session unfold and prepare our recommendations for City leaders, we encourage residents to study up on these bills and reach out to your alders with your thoughts and concerns!

Our Team is Growing!

Trailnet is currently looking for passionate folks to join our Development, Rides, Communications and Planning teams. We have full-time and part-time options + internships available now. If you know someone who might like to work with us to make the St. Louis region better for people walking, biking and using transit, send them to trailnet.org/join-the-movement/work-with-us.

Upcoming Funded Projects...
Trailnet recently received funding for some really exciting projects in 2024! Here are just a few that we can't wait to get started on.

Phone Down: It's the law! - General Motors has awarded Trailnet $52,250 to lead a community outreach and media campaign about the new hands-free driving law recently enacted in Missouri.

Safe Routes to School - Trailnet received two grants to continue and expand our program to make it safer and easier for students to bike and walk to school. Thank you to the Norman J. Stupp Foundation-Commerce Bank Trustee and the Dana Brown Charitable Trust for supporting this work!

Walk-Bike Strategy for Hillsboro - The Jefferson Foundation has funded a second-phase of the Jefferson County Walk-Bike Strategy in which Trailnet will create a Walk-Bike Strategy for the City of Hillsboro.

How Should the City Use Its Money? 

We're into the next phase of public engagement for the use of Rams settlement funding! City leadership wants to know: "Which ideas should we prioritize for deeper vetting and highlight during public hearings? Let us know by voting for your favorites!" Vote here.

We want to recognize Michael Schwartz for nine years of dedicated service on Trailnet's board of directors. Since joining Trailnet's board in 2014, Michael—a mergers & acquisitions attorney and partner at Norton Rose Fulbright—has provided us with legal counsel, fostered partnerships throughout the region and most recently helped lead the 2023 Jewish History Community Ride!

Michael remains deeply committed to Trailnet's mission and to supporting the Streets for All movement, even as his time on the board has ended.

"I know I don’t need to be on Trailnet’s board to make an impact," he said. "We need folks in our community to advocate for pedestrians and cyclists—whether they are walking, running, cycling or otherwise getting around for enjoyment or out of necessity.  I’ll continue to speak up, and I hope you’ll join me."

Volunteer with Trailnet!

Become a Trailnet member!

Traffic Violence Is a Blight on St. Louis. 2024 Is Time to Get Serious - Riverfront Times

Letter: City infrastructure plans must look beyond just pavement - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

After deaths, St. Louis promised street upgrades at Ted Drewes. What’s taking so long? - St. Louis Post-Dispatch