Partners Great Rivers Greenway and the City of St. Louis invite residents to join them in celebrating new and upgraded street routes for bicycles. The official unveiling of Bike St. Louis Phase III will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 25, at the Cabanne Branch of the St. Louis Public Library, which is located at 1106 Union and is also the site of brand new buffered bike lanes. The celebration will feature free bike tune-ups from St. Louis BWorks and two free Trailnet-led bike rides (eight miles and 20 miles) that will give attendees the chance to explore the new routes.

Since September, crews have been implementing street markings and signage to provide 40 miles of new routes and 60 miles of upgraded routes of the Bike St. Louis network, bringing the total to 135 miles; making it easier and safer for people on bicycles to get to work, school, businesses and other area attractions.  The project includes shared lane markings, bike lanes, buffered bike lanes, shared use paths, bicycle “cut-throughs,” seven new bike corrals, and wayfinding signs throughout the City. Some streets also feature a reduced number of driving lanes, helping to alleviate traffic and make room for parking and bike lanes.

“City streets are for everyone, and while it might take a little time to adjust to new lanes — whether you’re driving, walking, or riding a bike — please share the road and pay attention to one another to keep drivers, and especially more-vulnerable pedestrians, safe,” said Mayor Slay. “The connections that the Bike St. Louis network make between our homes, where we work, go to school, or shop and our region’s great recreation destinations are important for the future of St. Louis.”

Funded through a $1.1 million federal grant and local matches by each partner, Bike St. Louis is the result of input from community stakeholders and open houses, which is helping to create a more bike-friendly city.

“Bike St. Louis helps create connections among our network of greenways,” said Great Rivers Greenway Executive Director Susan Trautman. “Being able to choose active ways to get around town makes St. Louis an even better place to live.”

For maps and additional information about the routes or event, visit http://www.bikestlouis.org.

Source: Great Rivers Greenways