As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words, which means Cassie Jones has spoken volumes about bicycle and pedestrian safety since taking over as lead graphic designer for Trailnet in April 2015. Here’s a brief glimpse into her world.

Where are you from originally, and how did you end up in St. Louis?

I’m from Laguna Beach, California. I moved to St. Louis in 2012 to pursue a Master of Fine Arts, Visual Art degree at Washington University.

What, in your opinion, sets the outdoor community in St. Louis apart from other places you’ve experienced?

I’ve been so pleasantly surprised by how many creative and artistic people there are within the cycling community — especially in the city. I view cycling as a form of creative expression, so it makes sense that there are so many wonderfully creative individuals that ride.

You currently work as the multimedia and design specialist at Trailnet. What do you enjoy about your job there?

I believe wholeheartedly in Trailnet’s mission, which means I get to design and create for projects that I genuinely care about, and that makes it super easy to do the work that I do. Plus, I occasionally get to help out with our big group rides on the weekends, and there’s no better way to meet a person than on two wheels!

Earlier this year you created an iconic piece of artwork for Trailnet that got a lot of positive attention. What was your inspiration?

I fell in love with the city of St. Louis on a bike. I honestly don’t think I’d still be living here if it wasn’t for the cheap single-speed I picked up after graduating from Wash U three years ago.

I’ve seen so much of the region and met so many incredible people because of bikes. Before getting a bike, I didn’t know much about St. Louis. Now, I know neighborhoods by their smells, potholes, shortcuts, dogs, gardens, architecture, graffiti and the people that live in them. I’m so grateful for the intimate connection I’ve established with this city, and I cherish every chance I get to further explore it by bike.

Trailnet works to make walking and bicycling safer and more accessible, so that we can all easily enjoy the richness of this region’s offerings — whether it’s a museum, a barbecue joint or a hike in West County. It’s those sentiments that serve as the catalyst for my design work and that illustration in particular.

So, what’s your outdoor sport?

I commute by bike daily and ride as much as possible on the weekends. When I’m not pedaling, I’m usually hiking the Chubb Trail or exploring my neighborhood in South City by foot. I also do CrossFit during the week.

Do you have a favorite outdoor destination in St. Louis, or a particular event or activity that you really enjoy?

There’s a sweet little donut shop in Edwardsville, called Glazy Squares, that I love to ride to on the weekends. It’s a 60-mile ride round trip, and it’s the best way to start a weekend!

[author] [author_info]Brad Kovach is the editor/publisher of Terrain Magazine.[/author_info] [/author]