The system’s 39 miles of bike path in St. Clair County directly connects to six Metro Transit Centers
St. Clair County Transit District and Citizens for Modern Transit are gearing up for National Bike to Work Week (May 12-18) by reminding area residents that bicycling to work is easier than ever thanks to the availability of the MetroBikeLink System. It boasts 39 miles of paved bike pathways in St. Clair County, Ill., that directly connect to six Metro Transit Centers, offering seamless integration of bike and transit use via MetroBus or MetroLink to get to thousands of places of employment in the bi-state region. To help spread the word and encourage participation, partners are asking those who bike to work to post photos to social media platforms using #BringYourBikeOnBoard.
Street teams will be at the Shiloh-Scott, Belleville and Fairview Heights Transit Centers on Monday, May 12 from 6 to 8 a.m. passing granola bars out to morning commuters, along with information about the MetroBikeLink System and the #BringYourBikeOnBoard effort. Those who post a photo using #BringYourBikeOnBoard or send it to info@cmt-stl.org will be entered to win a bike to work prize package valued at more than $200. It includes a free monthly transit pass, a $75 gift card to Bike Surgeon, a bike seat bag, a MetroBikeLink water bottle and a green Public Transit t-shirt. The winner will be notified the afternoon of Friday, May 16, which is National Bike to Work Day.
“The MetroBikeLink System is a fantastic community amenity that is highly utilized on a daily basis,” said Ken Sharkey, Managing Director of the St. Clair County Transit District. “Those who haven’t used it as part of their daily work commute are encouraged to give it a try during National Bike to Work Week.”
The main artery of the MetroBikeLink System is a trail running adjacent to the MetroLink alignment. It starts at the Shiloh-Scott Transit Center and extends 14 miles to include the College, Belleville, Swansea, Memorial Hospital and Fairview Heights Transit Centers – and will soon add a seventh station as a 5-mile trail is currently under construction as part of the MetroLink expansion project to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport.
Those who bike to work can also take advantage of Citizens for Modern Transit’s free Guaranteed Ride Home program, which offers subsidized access to more immediate transportation options if a need arises.
To learn more about the MetroBikeLink System, visit www.scctd.org.