Report Card '08: Highlights and Lowlights

This list of Highlights and Lowlights is also available as a printable PDF file.

The Missouri Bicycle Federation has released the first annual "Bicycling and Walking in Missouri--A Report Card".

Here are some of the highlights and lowlights from the report:

Highlights

• The first annual Tour of Missouri brings Tour de France champion Alberto Contador, attracts over 350,000 spectators, puts Missouri bicycling in an international media spotlight, and generates over $25 million in economic development for the state.

• Katy Connections: 46-mile Katy Trail Connection to Kansas City area; 11 miles to be added to trail's eastern end; new Bond Bridge connects Hermann to Katy Trail; funding secured for Katy Trail connection to Jefferson City; connection from Washington to Katy Trail under discussion.

• The National Bike Summit and Bicycle Day at the Capitol in Jefferson City bring out the largest Missouri delegations ever.

• Renewed national and international interest in walking and bicycling as inexpensive solutions to the difficult problems of obesity, high fuel prices, global warming, pollution, and congestion.

• MoDOT's new bicycle/pedestrian training sessions for MoDOT staff in all areas of Missouri.

• Columbia's nationally recognized Nonmotorized Pilot Project, GetAbout Columbia.

• Bike St. Louis triples doubles on-road bicycle route network; Great Rivers Greenway District continues to expand St. Louis area trail network.

• Kansas City, MO, hires bicycle/pedestrian coordinator; moves forward with bicycle plan and citywide trails plan; obtains partial funding for first safe bicycle/pedestrian Missouri River crossing on the Heart of America Bridge.

• Springfield City Council adopts comprehensive bicycle plan.

• Bicycle Friendly Communities initiative gains momentum in Missouri.

Lowlights

• MoDOT stops meetings of Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee for over 18 months; essentially shuts down bicycle/pedestrian program for most of the year; fires bicycle/pedestrian coordinator; halts Missouri Complete Streets bill; over 95% of MoBikeFed supporters disapprove of MoDOT's handling of bicycling and walking.

• Numerous important transportation projects statewide continue to move forward without needed bicycle and/or pedestrian accommodations or with facilities that do not meet ADA requirements--including Hanley Rd in St. Louis County, Hwy 45 in Parkville, and Hwy 150 in the Kansas City area, and many others.

Mixed

• The quarter billion dollar Paseo Bridge project moves forward without bicycle/pedestrian accommodations, leaving the densely populated Kansas City downtown area without a safe way for bicyclists and pedestrian to cross the Missouri River. Upside: Kansas City and MoDOT are currently in discussions to remedy the problem.

• MoDOT's 800 bridge project moves forward, providing connectivity on numerous rural and lower traffic rural roads; apparently bicycle and pedestrian use has not even been considered in planning this project and the secretive design/build process makes it difficult to find information or provide public input. Upside: Very little is needed to reasonably accommodate bicycling and walking in this context (bicycle-safe drain grates and expansion joints, for instance). It may still happen.