Hailey will test a cutting-edge bike-share system in September that will use digital mapping software and computer and cell phone technology to provide inexpensive transportation around town.
Sixteen Social Bikes (SoBi) equipped with onboard computers and locks will be distributed at the Community Campus, St Luke's clinic, and the city and county offices for a two-week trial period.
The sturdy white bikes can be located and reserved for up to 15 minutes remotely by computer or handheld digital device. After arriving at the bike's location, the user can then unlock the bike with a key code and ride to another lockable location.
The bikes can be kept at any locked location for up to 15 minutes, and used again or left for another SoBi rider.
Jason Miller, executive director of Mountain Rides, will oversee the bike-share program, gathering feedback from users, before launching a possibly larger fleet of SoBi bikes next spring.
"Years ago we had plans to begin a similar bike share program in Ketchum, but could not find support or funding for it," said Miller. "But Hailey latched onto the idea and targeted a grant to support it."
Miller said the bike-share program would assess a monthly fee of between $10 and $30 dollars for up to 30 minutes of free access per trip, with fees of 50 cents to $1 per hour afterward.
"Encouraging shorter trips is the idea, but the bikes can be used anywhere in Hailey," Miller said.
Hailey is the second community in the U.S. to have a bike-share system. The other city is Buffalo, N.Y. Aspen, Colo., has plans to launch a similar bike-share program in spring of 2013.
The bike-share program was made possible by a $20,000 portion of the City of Hailey's $472,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in March 2011.
The EPA grant has been used to support the Hailey Community Climate Challenge, a program consisting of numerous projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gases and saving energy.
Thanks to an additional $175,000 from city coffers and about $62,000 from 15 partner organizations, the three-year Hailey Community Climate Challenge was born.
The challenge has included programs to increase home energy efficiency, recycle construction waste, upgrade lighting fixtures and promote green living practices through workshops and a $47,000 documentary film project.
Climate Challenge update
Mayor Fritz Haemmerle drew six names from a hat last Monday during a City Council meeting, identifying the latest winners of Hailey's $2,000 renewable energy system grants.
Only participants in the city's Save-A-Watt energy efficiency program are eligible for the prizes.
There have been nine winners, including three selected in a drawing at a workshop earlier this summer. They are Kurt Nelson and Kaz Thea, Jason Miller, Holly and Ronald Hatch, John De Moura, Trey Knox and Ashley Green, Mary Foley, Stephanie Manning, Sydney Chickrell and Bill Leavell.
The winners must use the money to install a renewable energy system. In July, Nelson and Thea installed a solar thermal system that heats their water and home's radiant floor system.
The Community Climate Challenge goal of saving energy equivalent to that used in one year by 57 homes, is close in sight and will likely be surpassed.
Hailey Sustainability Coordinator Mariel Platt said at last Monday's city council meeting that the energy equivalent of 50 homes has already been reached.
The River Street Senior Housing project development in Hailey participated in the ongoing construction waste diversion program, diverting 21 percent of its construction waste and saving more than $1,000.
The Construction Waste Diversion Pilot Program offers a rebate of up to $500 for waste diversion and related expenses in exchange for contractors and Clear Creek Disposal tracking all expenses and amounts of waste and diverted material types.
Hailey resident Elizabeth Jeffrey's volunteers her time as the program lead, gathering information for the future.
Also in keeping with Hailey's green initiatives, The Interpretive Center/Welcome Center at the Hailey Rodeo Park will receive silver certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program.
Sawtooth Construction is on track to diverting more than 50 percent of the construction waste at that project, as part of the LEED program requirements.
Platt will continue educational workshops, as part of the Climate Challenge grant guidelines, on building chicken coops and other ways to use recycled building materials from the Building Material Thrift Store.
For more information on Hailey Community Climate Challenge, call 788-9815.
