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