Bicycle Friendly Community

Wood River Valley, ID | Silver Level

Community Highlights: The Wood River Valley is highly touted worldwide as one of the special places to pedal a mountain bike, with the area offering nearly 500 miles of single track trails and several thousand miles of trails on adjacent National Forest lands. This is no secret to local Chambers of Commerce, as bicycling is promoted as a major component of the valley's tourist-based economy. Not all of the Valley’s cycling is done on the dirt however, as hybrids and road bikes still make up a large percentage of bikes rented. The valley has the most active Safe Routes to School program in Idaho. Grants have been awarded, $312,000 in SRTS, with $22,000 for non-infrastructure projects. Engineering and encouragement efforts are balanced with improved enforcement. Officers receive specific bike-related training and use of targeted enforcement training on motorists who do not yield to the right of way of cyclists and pedestrians.

Most Compelling Community Statistic: SRTS investment are paying off with 42 percent of students participating in Bike/Walk to School Day last year, more than 6,000 trips by biking or walking to school.