About 15 local people have formed a group called the Wood River Bicycle Friendly Community Coalition, to obtain the status of Bicycle Friendly Community from the League of American Bicyclists and to expand bike services in the area.
The award is given to communities that realize the potential of bicycling to address the challenges of climate change, traffic congestion and safety, and are making measurable efforts to integrate cyclists into the community. There are four levels for the award: platinum, gold, silver and bronze.
Only 84 cities have been rated bicycle-friendly communities, and only one, Portland, Ore., has been rated platinum.
Coalition Coordinator Sean McLaughlin has submitted an application for the bike friendly honor to the league. It includes the five municipalities of the Wood River Valley: Ketchum, Sun Valley, Hailey, Bellevue and Galena. It also outlines the major trail systems and bike safety initiatives already available in the area.
"We have an incredible network of tails, pathways and bicycle amenities here," McLaughlin said. "The question is, how do we rate compared to other mountain communities and cities nation wide?"
McLaughlin believes the Wood River Valley is a gold- or silver-status community.
Adrian Montgomery, public relations director for Scott Bicycles and another organizer of the coalition, hopes for at least a bronze.
"There are so many things we are doing right here," Montgomery said. "But I'm sure there are also some other little things that could be brushed up. So we're looking to the league to help us to steer the plan for integrating bicycles into our community."
The league does not do anything monetarily for communities that are named bicycle friendly. But the coalition hopes that recognition will help the Wood River Valley to continue improvements. It may also help to attract more visitors and residents who are interested in bike friendly communities.
McLaughlin, Montgomery and the rest of the Wood River Valley will have to wait until October 1, when the league announces its 2008 awards, to learn the community's cycling fate.
For more information or to join the coalition, contact Montgomery at 622-1036.
