The TravelGreen program promotes commuter cycling and increases awareness of cycling safety in the St. Louis region. Trailnet will work with your business or community to address the built environment, policies, and social networks in order to promote bicycle commuting among individuals. The TravelGreen program will identify and engage a strong cycling contingent—those who are ready to change old behaviors and shift gears toward a new and healthier commute on a daily basis. Interested in getting your business or community to TravelGreen? Contact emily@trailnet.org.
- The average person loses 13 lbs. their first year of commuting by bike.
- Just three hours of bicycling per week can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke by 50%.
- A 140-pound cyclist burns 508 calories while pedaling 14 miles in an hour.
Bike for your health:
- The U.S. could save 462 million gallons of gasoline a year by increasing cycling from 1% to 1.5% of all trips.
- Each U.S. rush-hour auto commuter spends an average of 50 hours a year stuck in traffic.
- In 2003, cars stalled in traffic wasted 5 billion gallons of fuel.
Bike for the environment:
- In 1964, 50% of kids rode to school and the obesity rate was 12%... In 2004, 3% rode to school and the obesity rate was 45%.
- Between 1960 and today the average weight of a 6-11 year old has increased 11 pounds.
Bike for the future:
- 60% of the pollution created by automobile emissions happens in the first few minutes of operation, before pollution control devices can work effectively.
- 25% of all trips are made within a mile of the home, 40% of all trips are made within two miles of the home, and 50% of the working population commutes five miles or less to work.
Bike for five miles or less:
*Statistics from Trek Bicycle Corporation’s advocacy division, retrieved from 1world2wheels.org.
TravelGreen Tshirt Contest
Thank you to all of the wonderful designers who submitted ideas for the TravelGreen T-Shirt design contest. Featured is the t-shirt designed by Rachel Sleeman, an avid bike commuter and regular on shiftyourcommute.com. Thank you, Rachel, for your in-kind donation to Trailnet and your passion to unite the cycling community.
Bike to Work Day was a success!
For the eleventh straight year, Trailnet hosted National Bike to Work Day in the St. Louis region. Overall, Trailnet saw over 330 cyclists visit our nine different refueling stations. Thanks to our generous sponsors, Great Rivers Greenway, Sunset Cyclery, and Companion for such a great event. Have ideas on how to make 2012 Bike to Work Day event better? E-mail emily@trailnet.org.
TravelGreen in the Central West End
Trailnet has recently received an Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation Grant to promote biking to work and biking for transportation in the Central West End through Trailnet’s TravelGreen program. Trailnet will work in this neighborhood to increase physical activity levels of residents by promoting active living. Trailnet is partnering with the Central West End’s Residents Association and Health Literacy Missouri to increase awareness of this grant and the program activities. Here are some TravelGreen in the Central West End updates:
- Breakfast for Bikers:
- Break for coffee with fellow cyclists and Trailnet on the last Wednesday of every month! Free for bike commuters.
- Time: 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
- Location: Health Literacy Missouri, 325 North Euclid Avenue
- Dates: June 29, July 27, August 31, September 28, October 26
- Literary Ride:
- Join us on July 9th to ride by some of America’s most famous writers’ former homes and read selections of their works. Free!
- Registration: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., group ride starts at 10:00 a.m.
- Start: Blockbuster Video parking lot, 4177 Lindell Boulevard
- Route: 6 miles; 2.5 hours due to various stops
- Live in, work in, or bike through the Central West End? Fill out this survey!
Breakfast for Bikers
Break for coffee with fellow cyclists and Trailnet during the 2011 Breakfast for Bikers series occurring June through October from 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
- Kaldi’s on Demun:
- Where: 700 Demun Ave., Clayton, MO 63105
- When: Third Friday of every month (June 17, July 15, August 19, September 16, October 21)
- Sponsored by: American Lung Association and Kaldi’s Coffee
- Downtown Bicycle Station:
- Where: Downtown Bicycle Station, 1011 Locust, St. Louis, MO 63103
- When: Last Friday of every month (June 24, July 29, August 26, September 30, October 28)
- Sponsored by: The Partnership for Downtown St. Louis
- Central West End:
- Where: Health Literary Missouri, 325 North Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63108
- When: Last Wednesday of every month (June 29, July 27, August 31, September 28, October 26)
- Sponsored by: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, Central West End Association, Health Literacy Missouri
Follow Trailnet on Facebook and Twitter for weather cancellations.
Shift Your Commute
Pedal past the pumps and TravelGreen! The more cyclists on the road, the safe and healthier it is for everyone.
Log your miles to learn your carbon emissions saved and calories burned, while helping Trailnet track bicycle commuting in St. Louis.
Downtown Bicycle Station
The City of St. Louis presents the region’s first full-service bike commuter facility! Begin your day with a healthy, environmentally friendly commute to work. The Downtown Bicycle Station offers secure 20-hour access and features more than 100 bike racks, showers and locker rooms, ideal for cyclists commuting to work or looking to exercise on their lunch break.
For more information and to become a member, visit www.downtownbicyclestation.org.
Bike Smart
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19
9 a.m - 2 p.m.
**Class will be rescheduled due to a family emergency of the instructor**
MoKaBe's Coffeehouse
3606 Arsenal Street
Saint Louis, MO 63116-4801
Want to bike more but don’t feel comfortable doing so? Do you ride regularly, but would like to fine tune your riding skills? Whether you are considering commuting to work by bike or simply want to learn more about how to ride safely, Trailnet has just the class for you! Trailnet will be offering a 5-hour hands-on class on how to ride as visibly, predictably, and safely as possible. The class will also include some basic bike maintenance such as changing a flat tire, adjusting derailleurs, and adjusting brakes.
The class will be led by a League of American Bicyclists certified cycling instructor (www.bikeleague.org) and will cover what to check on your bike before a ride, riding safely in traffic, common avoidance maneuvers, and much more! Our goal is to build your confidence to be able to ride in any situation.
Cost: FREE- sponsored by Great Rivers Greenway
If you are still interested, click here to put your name on our waiting list.
Questions? Contact Charles at 314-436-1324 x117 or charles@trailnet.org