Recreation Council - Cycle St. Louis

Since 1983, the Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis has assisted thousands of individuals with developmental disabilities access recreation and leisure programs of their choice.  The Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis, has been a key partner for Cycle St. Louis, since its inception in 2015.  In 2019, Cycle St. Louis was brought under the umbrella of this not-for-profit organization, a move necessary for Cycle St. Louis to further expand cycling opportunities in the metro area for individuals with disabilities.  Cycle St. Louis volunteers, together with local partners, work to create cycling opportunities for children and adults with disabilities. These efforts include access to adapted cycles and a variety of cycling resources, facilitating opportunities for individuals to participate in organized rides, and providing cycle education.

One of Cycle St. Louis’ key weekly events has been with Achilles International in which we have implemented a Tandem Cycling Program for adults with disabilities.  In 2023, we held 26 rides, impacting more than 200 participants.  Our major annual awareness event,  Ride to Unite, is part of the St. Louis area’s Gateway Cup cycling races.  In 2023 we had 125 participants, with our goal for 2024 to double that participation.  Over the last several years, Cycle St. Louis has worked with Trailnet, the region’s leading safe active transportation advocacy organization, to make their organized rides inclusive.  In 2024, our goal is to increase participation by individuals with disabilities in those rides.  Approximately 20% of the St. Louis metro area is composed of individuals with disabilities that, with appropriate support, can realize the many benefits of cycling.  In order to maintain and increase our reach to the individuals with disabilities, Cycle St. Louis requires new cycles and significant maintenance of its aging tandem bikes and adaptive cycles.

Cycle St. Louis’ focus area for 2024 is to obtain financial resources to support its mission, which include the purchase of additional/upgraded cycles (adapted cycles, upgraded tandem cycles and electronic assist cycles), improved communication, outreach to increase awareness of available resources and the removal of barriers to cycling for individuals with disabilities.  The Cycle St. Louis program is 100% volunteer effort and supported by the St. Louis cycling community.  Every dollar donated goes directly to providing cycling opportunities for St. Louis area disabled individuals.

Check out Cycle St. Louis at:  www.cyclestl.org