ST. CLAIR COUNTY TRANSIT DISTRICT ENCOURAGES USE OF THE METROBIKELINK SYSTEM DURING NATIONAL BIKE TO WORK WEEK (May 13-19)

Next week (May 13-19) is National Bike to Work Week, and St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD) – in conjunction with Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) – is reminding area residents that bicycling to work has never been easier thanks to the MetroBikeLink. This ever-evolving system consists of more than 30 miles of interconnecting trails and bike paths in Southwestern Illinois that connects to six Metro Transit Centers in four different communities. This vital link allows residents to utilize the MetroLink and MetroBus to gain access to thousands of employers throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan region. All Metro buses and trains are equipped with bike racks. Those who bike to work can also take advantage of CMT’s free Guaranteed Ride Home program, which offers subsidized access to more immediate transportation options if a need arises.

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 the trail will be expanding 5 miles as part of the MetroLink expansion project to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. It provides seamless integration of biking and transit use via the MetroLink and MetroBus, as well as microtransit options like the SCCTD Flyer and VanGo.

“The MetroBikeLink is a fantastic community amenity highly utilized on a daily basis,” commented 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.”

If a personal emergency, sickness or unscheduled overtime prevents those who bike, take transit or walk to work from using their typical transportation mode to get home, CMT’s free Guaranteed Ride Home program enables them to utilize a ride-hailing service, like Lyft, a taxicab company or even a rental vehicle from Enterprise Rent-A-Car to get where they need to go. Commuters pay upfront for the entire cost of the ride home and then submit the receipt to CMT, which reimburses them 80% of the cost, up to $60 per ride.

Find out more about the MetroBikeLink System or to register for CMT’s Guaranteed Ride Home program.