In the Summer of 2008, we applied for Bicycle Friendly Community status with the League of American Bicyclists.  We managed to score a "Silver" medal designation, and have received excellent feedback from the League on ways to improve the bicycling amenities in the Wood River Valley.  

League reviewers were impressed with the potential and commitment to make Wood River Valley a great place for bicyclists. "This is especially demonstrated in the quantity and diversity of bicycling programs and projects as well as in the bicycling culture that is present". Reviewers were impressed with 427 miles of single track, stellar Safe Routes to School funding of infrastructure and education, school participation and documented results through bike/walk to school week; and the promotion of bicycling in the local tourism based economy.

Improvements can me made in policy, connectivity, safety and planning.  While we are happy and proud to have achieved Silver, we want Gold! We are using the feedback provided by the League as the template to guide our every step as we grow and address way to improve the bicycle and pedestrian friendliness of our valley.  

Our vision:

Through partnerships, a large membership base and grassroots advocacy, the Bike Coalition works to create a more bicycle-friendly Wood River Valley.  Improving access for cyclists of all ages and ability levels is possible through cooperation, communication and activism on local, state, regional and national levels.  Working to unite developers, land managers, county and city officials, non-profit organizations, businesses and local cyclists and pedestrians, the Bike Coalition envisions a Wood River Valley where residents and visitors do not need automobiles for transportation and can safely ride on any street, where children can walk and ride safely to school and other destinations, and where bicyclists and pedestrians can easily and safely access transit, local trails and pathways.

Goals:  

1.  Engineering

• Adopt a Complete Streets policy. Every street should accommodate bicyclists, pedestrians, motorists and transit users of all abilities and ages.

• Continue to expand the bicycle network and increase network connectivity through the use of bike lanes, shared lane arrows and signed routes. On street improvements coupled with the expansion of the off-street system will continue to increase use and improve safety. These improvements will also increase the effectiveness of encouragement efforts by providing a broader range of facility choices for users of various ability and comfort levels.

2.  Education

• Continue to provide bicycling and motorist education messages in routine local activities, such as tax renewal, drivers licensing and testing, or inserts with utility bills.
• Increase usage of PSA’s and other community messages through various local and regional media sources.

3.  Encouragement

• Consider creating a Wood River Valley bike map that includes already mapped multi-use paths, current and future on and off road bike facilities, suitability ratings for area roadways, single track trailheads, bike shops, etc.
• Work towards universal and comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian signage standards that mirror local maps and designated routes.

4.  Enforcement

• Make connections between bicycling community and law enforcement. Ensure that police officers are aware of the “Share the Road” message and have general knowledge regarding traffic law as it applies to bicyclists.

5.  Evaluation/Planning

• Create and fully implement a comprehensive bike plan and continue to expand encouragement, education, enforcement, and engineering programs to increase usage.  The plan should include a mix of on and off road facilities that creates an interconnected network and offers facilities for cyclists of all abilities.
• Continue to work to integrate the development of the cycling network into larger land use planning and development projects and plans.