MCT celebrates National Bike Month: Trail Summit, bike donation drive, trail survey
Virtual summit to highlight regional trail projects; local libraries to serve as bike donation hubs
This May, Madison County Transit (MCT) will celebrate National Bike Month with several initiatives designed to support bicycling, trail use, regional trail development, and cycling access throughout Madison County.
As part of the celebration, MCT will engage in the following activities:
- Host the MCT 2026 Trail Summit: The Future of Trails in Our Region;
- partner with St. Louis BWorks and local libraries to collect used bicycles; and,
- launch additional trail data collection efforts through trail user surveys and Mobile Safety Trailers placed throughout the MCT Trails system.
MCT 2026 Trail Summit: The Future of Trails in Our Region
The MCT 2026 Trail Summit is a free virtual event that will take place from 9 to 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 21 via Zoom.
The summit will feature local trail leaders sharing updates on current and upcoming trail projects, regional connectivity, and funding opportunities.
SJ Morrison, MCT managing director, will open the summit with an overview of the MCT Trails system, recent improvements, and future plans.
Additional speakers include:
- Mark Vogl, senior project manager, Great Rivers Greenway
- Bryan Werner, executive director, Metro East Park and Recreation District
- Ken Sharkey, managing director, St. Clair County Transit District
- Miriam Bell, grants manager, Agency for Community Transit
The summit will conclude with a Q&A session, giving attendees an opportunity to ask questions about trail-related projects, funding opportunities, and the future of trail development throughout the region.
“National Bike Month is the perfect time to highlight the value of the MCT Trails and the role they play in connecting communities, encouraging outdoor recreation, and supporting quality of life throughout Madison County,” said Morrison. “This year’s Trail Summit gives us the opportunity to bring regional partners together to share information and continue the conversation about how trails can grow and strengthen our communities.”
Those who attend the summit will be entered for a chance to win a bicycle rack for their vehicle.
To register for the 2026 Summit, visit www.MCTtrails.org/calendar.
Bike donation drive: Expanding cycling access
Also in May, MCT is partnering with St. Louis BWorks to collect used bicycles during National Bike Month.
St. Louis BWorks is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth and underserved individuals through educational programs centered on bicycles. Their “Earn-A-Bike” program provides participants with hands-on skills to repair and maint
ain a bike. At the end of the course, participants receive their own bike, helmet, and lock.
In the month of May, bikes can be dropped off at the following locations during normal business hours:
- MCT Administration Building: 1 Transit Way, Pontoon Beach, IL 62040
- Edwardsville Public Library: 112 S Kansas St, Edwardsville, IL 62025
- Collinsville Memorial Library Center: 408 W Main St, Collinsville, IL 62234
- Maryville Community Library District: 15 Professional Park Dr, Maryville, IL 62062
- Six Mile Regional Library (Johnson Road): 2145 Johnson Rd, Granite City, IL 62040
- Tri-Township Library: 209 S. Main St, Troy, IL 62294
“I’m excited to continue our partnership with St. Louis BWorks,” said Morrison. “I’m continually impressed by their work and how they are making bicycling more accessible for kids and families throughout the region.
“Many people have an old bike sitting around, and donating it is a simple way to give that bike a second life while helping someone else experience the freedom and confidence that comes with riding,” he said further.
In addition to the Bike Donation program, Agency for Community Transit (ACT) is accepting applications from eligible municipal entities and nonprofit organizations would are interested in receiving an ACT Community Action Grant to host an “Earn a Bike” class for 12 students in Madison County. For details, visit www.ACTinfo.org/grants
Trail survey, user counts and economic impact study
Also during National Bike Month, MCT Trail users may notice survey signs with QR codes placed along the trails, as well as MCT’s Mobile Safety Trailers moving throughout the trail system.
These activities are part of a larger MCT project to better understand the economic impact of the MCT Trails and how the trail system supports local communities, businesses, tourism, recreation, and quality of life throughout Madison County.
The trail survey will help MCT learn more about who is using the trails, how often they visit, where they travel, and whether they stop at nearby businesses during their trip. Safety Trailers will be used to collect user counts at various trail locations, helping MCT better understand trail activity and usage patterns across the system. Together, the survey responses and trail count data will provide a clearer picture of how the MCT Trails are used and the broader value they bring to Madison County.
Those who complete the survey will be entered for a chance to win a bike rack.
“Good data helps us make better decisions,” said Morrison. “The survey and user counts will give us valuable insight into how the trails are being used today and how we can continue improving the system for the future.”
For more information on the MCT 2026 Trail Summit, the BWorks bike donation drive, or trail survey, email [email protected], visit www.MCTtrails.org, or call (618) 797-4600.
Madison County Transit (MCT) provides multi-modal transportation services for Madison County, Illinois. MCT operates a fixed-route bus service, connecting to MetroLink; express weekday commuter service directly to and from downtown St. Louis; and seasonal express service to the Muny. For elderly and disabled residents who are unable to use the fixed-route buses, MCT provides complementary door to door service. MCT is also responsible for the construction and maintenance of more than 138 miles of bikeways that comprise the MCT Trails system, as well as overseeing RideFinders, the St. Louis region’s FREE carpooling and vanpooling program.
