Bicycle Friendly America Fall 2016 - 23

ALL PHOTOS BY PATRICK CUSICK DOUBLE PLATINUM How the Boise Bicycle Project Made It To the Top, and Plans To Stick Around ALLISON MCNALLY A s of 2016, the Boise Bicycle Project is now a two-time Platinum level Bicycle Friendly Business. To get to know the Boise Bicycle Project a little better, I interviewed Executive Director Jimmy Hallyburton. Boise native, Boise State University alum, and rider of a Velo Orange Camarague, Hallyburton co-founded the Boise Bicycle Project (BBP) in 2007 with friend and fellow firefighter Brian Anderson. Over a year ago Hallyburton stood on the steps of City Hall in Boise and proclaimed, "With absolutely no authority whatsoever, I would like to proclaim today, May 7, 2015, as the very first day that Boise became the Bicycle Capital of America." I thought this might have been just an exaggeration to get riders pumped up for their 24 hour #carfreeforbbp day events, but even when I read their vision for the BBP in their 2015 annual report I found this statement "we believe Boise has the potential to be the 'Bicycle Capital of America.' Through our programs, through our partnerships, and through our grassroots efforts to unite the community, we will help Boise Reach that potential everyday." Hallyburton says that what they do differently from many other bike co-ops is not only intense community outreach and numerous bike activities, but also their mission of inclusivity. This isn't just about individual bicyclists that venture into their bike shop, but it is also about developing strong ties to local businesses, local government and those in the community who are underprivileged or without a voice. He elaborated that the BBP also communicates with other successful bicycle co-ops across the nation that are "really making a tremendous impact" like Seattle Bike Works and the Salt Lake City Bike Collective, as well as several organizations in Chicago. He went on to say, "We've really developed a solid network with some of these other, larger bike co-ops, learning from each other. And if somebody has a new program that's working out really well, or we're thinking about starting a new program, I might call an executive director of the program of Bike Works in Seattle to see if they've tried anything [similar] and get their point of view." HallyburBICYCLE FRIENDLY AMERICA 23 http://www.boisebicycleproject.org/vision-history/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFmE4PZBJXQ http://static1.squarespace.com/static/5564d78de4b0ae59cce396ce/t/56af8bae55598614c4b4f1b0/1454345151748/2015_Annual_Report.pdf http://static1.squarespace.com/static/5564d78de4b0ae59cce396ce/t/56af8bae55598614c4b4f1b0/1454345151748/2015_Annual_Report.pdf

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Bicycle Friendly America Fall 2016