Idaho communities share secrets of successful biking, walking effort

By MIKE FERGUSON
mferguson@billingsgazette.com

From the Billings Gazette
Original link

When you want people to share their good ideas on improving your community's transportation system, offer free beer and food to get the conversation flowing.

That was among the lessons shared by Mountain Rides, the transportation authority for the Idaho communities of Sun Valley, Ketchum, Hailey and Bellevue during a web presentation last week.

Mountain Rides, the regional transportation authority connecting the communities, has been working for nearly a decade to integrate bicycle and pedestrian lanes, trails and bike-share programs with motorized options, including the free bus service provided by the Sun Valley resort.

A 2013 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency bought the first of what is now 40 bicycles that can be shared in Hailey and Ketchum. Local hospitals and radio stations outfitted the bikes with baskets — complete with their logos.

Members can ride the bikes — including, if they choose, along the 22-mile bike trail that connects the communities — then return them when they're done.

"It encourages people to get out of their cars," said Kaz Thea, Mountain Rides' bicycle-pedestrian coordinator.

"We don't know if this will be successful long-term," said Jason Miller, Mountain Rides' executive director. "But we have to try stuff, even in the face of challenges. If it's not successful, we learn from it and figure out which way to go moving forward."

Creating the region's bicycle and pedestrian master plan two years ago — Billings is currently updating its 2011 plan — "combined the practical with big sky, big dream projects," Miller said. "It's not a plan sitting on the shelf somewhere."

With a regional umbrella organization connecting the communities, each city is free develop its own transportation plan while working together with partner communities on which amenities each should seek. Ketchum, for example, wants to put some of its federal transportation funding into bus stop shelters, while Hailey believes crosswalk improvements are needed.

Another benefit nonmotorized travelers receive from cities that cooperate: the communities' bike master plan has been incorporated into the comprehensive plan of Blaine County, where the towns are located. As a result, all new county roads are now constructed using smaller chips, which are easier on bikes. The chipped surface is coated with a fog seal and the road edges are striped with lanes ranging from 4-6 feet.

"Infrastructure ideally comes first, but the money will follow good planning," Miller said. "You've got to celebrate your wins and engage the community on their terms. In ours, free beer and free food help."

Learn more at www.mountainrides.org.

Published 07-08-16