A safe and convenient low-stress walking and biking network

Next week, Idaho Smart Growth will present its plan for a low-stress bicycle and pedestrian network and directional signage system.

The meeting, from 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 27, at Bonners Ferry City Hall, will include a question and answer discussion. The public is welcome.

The City of Bonners Ferry is in the midst of updating a series of foundational planning tools, including the Transportation Plan, and a cohesive bike and pedestrian plan. Idaho Smart Growth is assisting the city in developing safe and convenient walking and biking routes for people ages 8 to 80 in response to current walking and biking demand, so residents and visitors can choose to bike and/or walk.

The final plan will identify a network of routes in all parts of town, connections and safe crossings, access to destinations and network directional signage within and around Bonners Ferry.

This plan is intended to improve access to active transportation options which have been shown to be beneficial to health and to help stimulate economic development related to bike tourism. The plan will identify priorities and recommend implementation strategies that are realistic and affordable for the city as well as position Bonners Ferry to pursue other grant opportunities for larger projects which they cannot fully address on their own.

Idaho Smart Growth is a statewide 501c3 nonprofit with a mission to bring Idahoans together to create great places to live and communities that are stronger and healthier. Idaho Smart Growth has provided community assistance to over 20 Idaho communities developing pedestrian and bicycle action plans and wayfinding for networks and recently assisted the City of Dover in drafting a new Comprehensive Plan. ISG was a project team member for the New Mobility West technical assistance project on Highway 95 in Bonners Ferry in 2014 which included a partial network assessment for pedestrians and bicyclists and identified growing bicycle and pedestrian network demands and opportunities in Bonners Ferry.