Meet Dave...
One of Idaho's human-powered heroes!
Click image to watch Dave's video, and find out how he finds his zen.
View more human-powered hero videos below to see why they like (and choose) to ride, roll and stroll:
P.S. Stay tuned to our Facebook or Twitter feeds for more videos of Idaho riders, rollers and strollers!
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Beer & Bikes Party at MickDuff's Brewing Company on June 15
A Joint Fundraiser with the Pend Oreille Pedalers in Sandpoint
WHAT: Joint Fundraiser
- drink beer...do good! $2.50 of every beer sold during the event will be donated
- raffle prizes: buy an arm's length of tickets for $10!
- music by The Shack Brothers
- info booths for both organizations
WHERE: MickDuff's Brewing Co. Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St., Sandpoint
WHEN: Thursday, June 15, 2017, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
WHY: Support two groups working for safer bicycling in Sandpoint and across the state of Idaho, and have fun!
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Idaho Gave for Idaho Gives!
And Supported Human-Powered Heroes
THANK YOU!
YOUR support will help make Idaho's streets safer for all who ride, roll and stroll.
Click image to watch a thank you video from Idaho's human-powered heroes. You can also check out their videos to see why they like, and choose, to walk, roll and bike!
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Boise Greenbelt Closures
Brochure Maps out Flooded Areas and Provides Tips for River Safety
Click image to link to a pdf file of the brochure.
As you can see in the photos above and the video below, parts of the Greenbelt remain flooded. And, some sections that may not appear to be flooded have been closed because conditions can change very quickly with the Boise River running so high.
Click image to watch video taken by Ceci Thunes, our Safe Routes to School Campaign Coordinator, on June 4 near Quinn's Pond.
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Ridge to Rivers Trails
Avoid the Boise River and Explore the Foothills on Foot or by Bike
So you’ve gotten the message loud and clear: stay away from the river; it’s too dangerous! Thankfully, we can escape to the foothills, where the Ridge to Rivers Trail System offers nearly 200 miles of interconnected roads and trails, for all kinds of uses, including horseback riding and motorcycling. Most of the system is reserved for walkers and bicyclists, and is a Boise City-led partnership with private landowners, Ada County, the Bureau of Land Management Four Rivers Field Office, the Boise National Forest and the Idaho State Fish and Game Department, to provide access to public lands and the natural environment to everyone.
For some, however, the foothills can seem like a confusing and dense network of trails that lead to unknown destinations. Heck, even experienced users occasionally wonder, “Where am I? Where does this trail go?”
Your technology has arrived! The Ridge to Rivers Trail System is now available as an interactive map, through Avenza Maps, a free app that offers for purchase over half a million worldwide maps. The Ridge to Rivers app is $4.99, and totally worth it. Using an iOS, Android or Windows device’s GPS system, the app allows users to track, in real-time, the speed, elevation, distance and areas of their journeys. The maps are geo-referenced, too, so you can find yourself, if you find yourself lost. Or just not 100% sure which way to go. It happens. Even without a network internet connection, the GPS system can locate you, and pre-loaded maps are available.
And if you really miss the water, small streams are still trickling through the foothills, and perfect for off-leash dogs, too. Hopefully we’ll have our Greenbelt back and a gentle river to float on soon, but until then, have fun in the hills!
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Campaign Update
The Idaho Legislature is out of session, but the Safe Routes to School – Healthy Kids Campaign continues. The “off season” is a crucial period for building a stronger funding bill for the 2018 session. This work begins by coordinating within communities statewide to demonstrate the need and desire for Safe Routes to School projects and other bike/ped infrastructure.
There were many occasions over the month of May, like Bike to School to Day and various school health and safety events, in which the campaign met with advocates whose interests align with Safe Routes to School. Members of law enforcement, first responders, teachers, parents and highway safety personnel, to name a few, agreed to help the campaign by writing their elected officials in support of increased funding for Safe Routes to School. Another method some pursued was to invite them to their year-end bike/ped events, so they could experience what students are learning about health, safety, and fitness.
Simulation technology helps students at Victory Middle School understand what impairment looks and feels like.
Heritage Community Charter School in Caldwell held an awards ceremony on May 23 for students who participated in its Bike Safety Week earlier in the month. George’s Cycles, a strong supporter of Idaho Walk Bike Alliance and Safe Routes to School, donated ten brand new kids’ bike helmets for the event. The day was extra special because Caldwell’s popular mayor, Garret Nancolas, who was joined by State Senator Jim Rice (R) and State Representative Greg Chaney (R), presented the prizes to the children. One lucky third grader won the grand prize—a fantastic new bike, helmet and lights! The elected officials would likely say the day was more special for them, since they were so awed by the children's energy and fitness.
Nine Heritage Community Charter School students won bike helmets.
 This lucky third grader from Heritage Community Charter School students won a brand new bike!
The campaign also met with city leaders from communities that have not had Safe Routes to School funding—and they want it! They are excited about upcoming grant opportunities and are willing to help the campaign by contacting decision makers in their districts to advocate for stable and dedicated funding. Idaho Walk Bike Alliance wants to hear from you! Is your community ready for Safe Routes to School? We can help connect you to the right people to prepare for grant applications. Contact us now!
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Idaho Falls Bike Month Bike to School Challenge
For the First Time, All Schools in Idaho Falls Participated
Article contributed by DaNiel Jose, Transportation Planner with Bonneville Metropolitan Planning Organization
Last month, Idaho Falls celebrated Bike Month with a series of events that included a Bike to School Challenge. Every morning for three weeks, thousands of elementary students from Idaho Falls School District 91 and Bonneville Joint School District 93 raced to and from school in hopes of winning a brand-new bike. With 26 elementary schools participating in the sixth annual Bike Challenge, there were a lot of kids battling it out to see who could bike the most in three weeks! This is the first year that all the schools in the Idaho Falls areas have participated in the event.
To take part in the Bike Challenge, which ran May 1-19, students had to ride their bikes to school at least 12 out of the 15 days. Each student received a punch card to prove how often they bicycled. Those students who finish the Bike Challenge were awarded a t-shirt donated by The Smith Group featuring cycling-centric artwork by one of their fellow students. But perhaps the most exciting aspect were the drawings for new bikes. Bill’s Bike and Run donated one bicycle to each school and to the winner of the t-shirt art contest. The theme for the art contest this year was “Once Upon a Ride.”
While the kids love to ride for a chance to win a new bike, the school principals also get in on the competition. They vie to be the school with the highest percentage of bicyclists so they can win the prize of driving a car from The Smith Group lot for a month. The principal from Cloverdale Elementary School has won the past three years.
Idaho Falls Bike Month runs in conjunction with National Bike Month, which was established in 1956 as a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling – and encourage more folks to give biking a try. The goal of the annual three-week Bike Challenge event is to get more students to ride their bikes to school year-round. The Bonneville Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Safe Routes to School partnered with Bill’s Bike and Run and The Smith Group to grow the success of this program. Other Bike Month event partners are supporters of the Idaho Walk Bike Alliance:
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Moscow Celebrated Bike to Work Day on May 19
9th Annual Event Hosted by Bike for Life
Mitch McGreevy and Nora Locken (Idaho Walk Bike Alliance Board Vice President)
(all photos courtesy of Karin Clifford)
For the ninth year, Bike for Life Moscow enthusiastically observed and hosted a National Bike to Work Day event. Local businesses showed their support by donating breakfast items for those celebrating. Bike for Life members greeted the many friendly bicyclists that participated in Bike to Work Day at well-traveled intersections with free mugs of coffee from One World Cafe, croissants from Panhandle Artisan Bread Co., and assorted bike trinkets. Bike for Life was formed in 2009 by a group of Moscow bicyclists who recognized the need to celebrate the joy that comes with being on a bike.
Andy Hudak, 2 unknown cyclists and Colin Priebe
Jeff Kimberling, unknown cyclist and Nora Locken (Idaho Walk Bike Alliance Board Vice President)
Matt Kitterman, Sandi Klingler, Deirdre Fahy, Sue Kappmeyer and Nora Locken (Idaho Walk Bike Alliance Board Vice President)
Nora Locken (Idaho Walk Bike Alliance Board Vice President), Jim Becker and Greg Cain
Arjan, Emily and Sander Meddens, Nora Locken (Idaho Walk Bike Alliance Board Vice President) and Nancy Chaney (Idaho Walk Bike Alliance Member) |
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3 Boise Companies Designated as Bicycle Friendly Businesses
Is Your Business Bicycle Friendly too? Apply for Recognition by June 15
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Click image to enlarge.
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ACHD Leadville Ave. Bikeway
Provide Feedback by June 23
Do you ride your bike on Broadway Ave. in Boise? Would you rather use a more bike-friendly alternative? The Ada County Highway District is seeking input to help it design a bikeway on nearby Leadville Ave. that meets the needs of potential users including residents, commuters, students, businesses and recreational cyclists. Learn more and find links for submitting your comments.
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Attend the Walking Summit!
Early Registration Closes July 14
The National Walking Summit is "the premier opportunity for community advocates, nonprofit representatives, government officials, and transit, health, and planning professionals to share best practices and stories, increase the visibility of key issues, build support for the walking movement, and create momentum for the work ahead." Featured speakers include Tamika Butler, Executive Director of the Los Angeles Bicycle Coalition, and Christopher B. Coleman, the Mayor of the City of St. Paul, MN. The program is divided into the following six paths that explore how Vital and Vibrant Communities are:
Register now and take advantage of early bird pricing until July 14.
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Tee Time...
Are You Creative? Design a T-shirt for Us!
The Idaho Walk Bike Alliance is in need of T-shirts for staff and volunteers to wear at events. We could just put our logo on the front of a shirt and call it good. But, we thought some of our supporters might be able to create something more fun to promote the work we do for walking and biking in Idaho. Email your designs to Robyn by Friday, June 30. If we get a lot of creative ideas, we'll hold a contest to pick the best design!
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Where in the State is
Idaho Walk Bike Alliance?
Idaho Walk Bike Alliance has been busy working statewide advocating for safer streets for all Idahoans that walk and bicycle. Here are some of the places we've visited in the past month. Click on images to enlarge them in a new window.
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Idaho Walk Bike Alliance 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. This is the equivalent of walking from the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington D.C. to the Idaho Capitol Building in Boise. The 'journey' began June 1, 2016, and in mid-March, Rep. Simpson passed the 2,000 mile mark, which put him in Sheridan, Wyoming. He anticipated entering Idaho near Victor in mid-April.
Idaho Walk Bike Alliance staff have joined the #HikewithMike and are walking at noon on Thursdays in Boise. Meet us at the center of Capitol Park for a stroll around downtown. Follow Rep. Simpson's progress, sign up for updates and STEP UP to join the challenge too. If you are hosting #HikewithMike walks in your communities, let us know so we can encourage others to join you!
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