Friday — May 14, 2004

Smart Moves launches its fourth season

Bike-to-work day scheduled May 21

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By GREG STAHL
Express Staff Writer

Biking, walking and bus riding season is here.

Wood River Rideshare is gearing up for the fourth season of its Smart Moves Community Challenge, a competitive program designed to encourage alternative modes of transportation.

Not coincidentally, Smart Moves will kick off May 17, the beginning of National Bike Week. The summer-long Smart Moves program is the Wood River Valley’s only alternative transportation event and is designed to encourage local residents to reduce automobile trips.

As part of the program, participants track all of their Smart Moves trips, whether by bike, foot, carpool or bus. Every 10 trips constitute an entry into an end-of-season prize drawing on Sept. 10.

Event Trip Trackers—where participants log their participation—will be available May 12 from Wood River Rideshare in Ketchum, the Blaine County Recreation District in Hailey or by calling 788-RIDE.

"Everyone is encouraged to participate in Smart Moves," said Beth Callister, executive director of Wood River Rideshare. "Doing so even a day or two each week can make a real difference by reducing vehicle trips and showing support of other transportation modes."

Last summer, 134 people participated, up from 110 the year before. With even more anticipated events, prizes and sponsors this year, Callister said she expects the program to generate much more interest and participation.

Among the first events to attempt bringing awareness to Smart Moves is a bike-to-work day on Friday, May 21. Sponsors will set up commuter appreciation stations along the Wood River Trail at prominent locations and will give away refreshments and other items to show their support for bike commuting.

Wood River Rideshare plans similar bike-to-work days on the third Friday of each month during the summer.

On June 27, a bike festival is planned for local residents to show off their bikes.

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