Ride Idaho Rolls through
the Teton Valley; Brings Economic Boon to Driggs
Guest Post by Tim Adams
IWBA Board Member / Executive Director of Teton Valley Trails and Pathways
The City of Driggs along with Teton Valley Trails and Pathways (TVTAP) hosted the 2016 Ride Idaho group as they made their way from Ketchum, ID, through to Jackson, WY, and finishing in Idaho Falls, ID. Riders began appearing in Driggs midday on Tuesday, August 9. By 4:45 p.m. tents had been erected near the Upper Elementary School and the line was starting to form at the entrance to the beer garden that was also a fundraiser for TVTAP. The ride came through Teton Valley, ID, at a time when our area is enjoying the addition of some great assets in community - bike lanes and new pathways that were just completed in the past year.
 
We are really excited that we got to highlight our new projects to the 260+ cyclists that came through our community. We have worked hard with our city managers and county officials and staff to build infrastructure that will entice bicycle tourists to visit our valley. What better opportunity is there to show that cycle friendly communities will attract tourists and result in a positive economic boon for the community. Throughout the night, riders were not only hanging around the city center where their dinner was served and live music was playing, but also visiting local restaurants and bars, shops, and grocery stores.
 
On Wednesday, cyclists could be seen for miles on end along the Victor to Driggs Rail-Trail. Before heading up over Teton Pass, a climb and descent that most will remember for a long time to come, riders were visiting Grand Teton Brewing to fill their bellies with hearty barley pops to assist them in their climb. We are so appreciative of Ride Idaho to pick our community to ride through and hope they continue to make it a stop in future years.
All About Ride Idaho
Ride Idaho is an annual, seven-day, fully supported, cycling tour. The tour is organized and administered by Ride Idaho, a non-profit organization. But we can't take all the credit. It is by the power of many volunteers, working in each community or traveling with us, that we are able to provide a tour of this caliber. We have been pedaling our way through the state since 2005 with these intentions.
- Inform and inspire cyclists with Idaho's beauty, hospitality and history.
- Provide a positive economic impact in Idaho's communities.
- Promote healthy, active lifestyles.
- Raise awareness of safe cycling.
Learn more about Ride Idaho here.
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Why Idaho Should Fund
Safe Routes to School
By Executive Director Cynthia Gibson
 Safe Routes to School programs focus on improving infrastructure, law enforcement, education and encouragement activities to improve the safety and health of children so they can walk or bicycle to and from school. The benefits are advantageous for children and communities alike. Children arrive at school energized and ready to learn. They get a portion of their required 60 minutes of daily physical activity. And, the roads are safer because motorists drive slower and are more aware of people on the street. We hope our state leaders understand the value of this important program and will support our efforts to dedicate state dollars to the safety and health of Idaho’s youth.
Idaho currently receives approximately $3.5 million in federal funding per year to be used for biking, walking and Safe Routes to School projects. Unfortunately, this amount is completely inadequate. For example, the last grant cycle was for two years of federal funding ($7 million), and over $20 million of projects funds was requested. This is the same pattern we have seen every year since Transportation Alternatives Program’s (TAP) inception in 2013. We have yet to meet town leaders who don’t want their community, no matter how large or small, urban or rural, to be safer for people to walk and bike. We will have more to announce on this initiative in the coming months. Stay tuned!
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Idaho Walk Bike Alliance
is Hiring!
Want to Make a Difference for
School Kids in Idaho?
Bike to School Day, May 2016
We are looking for a superstar to be our Safe Routes to School Campaign Coordinator. Read the job description and apply today.
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2015 Annual Report Now Available Online
Check out what YOUR support made possible in 2015. Not a member yet? Join the walking and biking movement here.
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ITD Extends Comment Period for Five Year Project Plan (ITIP)
Help Get Better Local Bike/Ped Facilities in Idaho! Comment by 8/26.
Click poster to enlarge.
This is your chance to tell the Idaho Transportation Department to include non-motorized facilities on state highways! ITD has extended the deadline for public comments on its draft ITIP (Idaho Transportation Department Investment Program) through August 26 due to technical issues. If you submitted comments, please re-submit. If you have not, please do so.
ITIP (ITD's Five Year Project Plan) "includes programmed improvements to highways, bicycle routes, pedestrian projects, safety projects and public transportation." You can review projects here, broken out by each district, and submit comments about specific projects in your local communities. IWBA has submitted comments on several projects, and it is important for citizens to also comment on projects in their own districts.
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Where the Giving is Easy
We Have a New Online Donation Platform
To make it easier to become a member or renew your support, we implemented a brand-new, user-friendly, online donation platform. You can give right on our website and you don't even need to create an account, unless you want to. We hope you like it!
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Streets are for People Too!
We're Creating an Urban Open Space in Honor of National PARK(ing) Day on 9/16
Photo by Green City Munich: PARK(ing) Day Park, 2009
WHO: Idaho Walk Bike Alliance
WHAT: A temporary public park around the corner from our office in front of Bittercreek Alehouse and Red Feather Lounge.
WHERE: 8th Street (between Idaho and Bannock), Boise, Idaho
WHEN: Friday, September 16, 2016, 12 - 4 p.m.
WHY: To highlight the need for more urban open spaces and call attention to the way our streets are improved when we share them.
HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE: Stop by and visit us OR create one in your own community! Check out these photos for ideas.
PARK(ing) Day is an annual worldwide event where artists, designers and citizens transform metered parking spots into temporary public parks. |
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Walk to School Day
Join us for this Special Day on 10/5
The Idaho Walk Bike Alliance is working with Idaho schools to schedule fun events in celebration of Walk to School Day on October 5. International Walk to School Day is a global event that involves communities from more than 40 countries walking and biking to school on the same day. Last year there were 20 Walk to School Day events in Idaho. Learn more here, and sign up your school to participate in 2016!
Stay tuned to our website, Facebook page and Twitter feed for announcements about participating schools and special guests.
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Where in the State is Idaho Walk Bike Alliance?
Idaho Walk Bike Alliance has been busy working for better walking and bicycling statewide. Here are some of the Idaho communities we've visited in the past month.
sidewalk art/bench (Post Falls) & vibrant Saturday Market (Moscow)
walking path (Moscow) & bike racks @ Palouse Clearwater Environmental Institute (Moscow)
bike path (Post Falls) & Yellow Dog Flats benefit concert (Moscow)
Newsletter header photo: sidewalk chess board (Moscow)
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IWBA Staff Step Up for the
Idaho STEP Challenge
To encourage others to be active and healthy, Congressman Mike Simpson is attempting to walk over 2,900 miles in the next year. This is the equivalent of walking from the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington D.C. to the Idaho Capitol Building in Boise.
IWBA staff have joined the #HikewithMike and are walking at noon on Thursdays. Stay tuned to our Facebook page for updates on walk locations. Follow Rep. Simpson's progress, sign up for updates and STEP UP to join the challenge too!
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Share the Trail
We are lucky to live in a state with such wonderful outdoor experiences. There is nothing better than hitting the trail for a run, hike or bike ride. So join us in taking the Share the Trail pledge, led by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, and make trail experiences better for everyone. Take an etiquette quiz or watch videos on the six Golden Rules of trail use, and get out there.
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Become a Walk Friendly Community
Join Sandpoint (Silver Level) and Coeur d'Alene (Honorable Mention) in becoming a Walk Friendly Community. Wouldn't it be great if there were more Idaho communities on the list?
The spring application deadline was June 15 but you could start preparing now for the fall round, which opens November 1. There is no fee to apply but it takes approximately 20-60 hours for communities to complete an application. Find FAQs here.
Beyond the pride communities feel when receiving this designation, it helps them build alliances to make their towns and cities more walkable. Because the process compels the Mayor to talk to the Planning Department to talk to the Public Works Department to talk to local advocates, and so on and so on.
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Thank You to Our Supporters!
CORPORATE MEMBERS
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