Idaho Fall Community Pathways

Idaho Falls Community Pathways

Our Mission:

To promote and encourage all forms of non-motorized transportation in the Idaho Falls area.


Hello from Idaho Falls Community Pathways! We are an organization devoted to promoting non-motorized transportation in Idaho Falls. Membership is free and we would be glad to have you join us. We periodically send our members email updates on recent activities and upcoming events and meetings. To help you get acquainted with us, here is some general information about our organization. If you decide you'd like to join us, please contact us using the provided contact information.


ANNOUNCEMENTS

  Idaho Falls Community Pathways and Teton Valley Trails and Pathways FREE forum:

"Funding Bike/Ped Projects in the New Economy"

When: Saturday, December 6, 2008, 9 to 5
Where: Hawthorne Elementary School, 1520 S. Boulevard in Idaho Falls  

Theme: The theme of the forum will be: "Funding: where is it coming from and why is it going away?" 
Objective: The forum objective is to bring together non-profits, municipalities, and citizens involved in bicycling/pedestrian causes to share experience and knowledge regarding funding for non-motorized transportation projects.  
Our keynote speaker will be, tentatively, Mark McNeese, Idaho Transportation Department. As the State bicycle/pedestrian coordinator, Mark has a big-picture view of not only the funding issue, but many other bicycle/pedestrian issues. Ironically, because of funding shifts, Mark's job responsibilities have changed somewhat; hence his participation is uncertain at this time. 
We will have several round-table discussions, and are asking for individuals with knowledge of, or just opinions on, any or all of these topics to be part of the round-table panel. Audience participation will also be welcomed. We hope to get at least one state legislator to come and talk about the Legislature's perspective. The topics we have identified for round-table discussions are: 
  • Local control of Transportation Funding – Local tax initiatives
  • Statewide Bike-Ped Advocacy group – how could this be set up to further our goals?
  • State and Federal Funding - what is next?
  • Non-Government Funding sources
  • Idaho State Legislation
  • Smart Growth and Government Initiatives
  • Public involvement
If you are interested in being on one or more round-tables, please contact one of us by November 21. If you are not interested in being on a round-table panel, but do wish to attend, please RSVP by November 28.  We will send out more information as we approach the December 6 Forum date. 
Thank you,
 Chris Staley & Jeff Forbes, IFCP, email ifcommunitypathways@gmail.com; Tim Adams, TVTAP, emailpathways@tetonvalley.net
 Questions? email us or call call either Chris Staley (208 351-0469) or Tim Adams (208 201-1622)

Improving Walkability and Bikeability

What is IFCP about?
IFCP is a group of citizens whose mission is to promote and improve walking, cycling and other forms of people-powered transportation in the Idaho Falls area. The term 'pathways' in our name refers to any route that pedestrians, cyclists and other non-motorized travelers use to reach their destinations. Some examples are sidewalks, crosswalks, multi-use paths, pedestrian bridges, and roadways shared with automobiles.We in IFCP believe that communities can successfully meet the transportation needs of all residents, whether they be motorists, recreational pedestrians and cyclists or those who walk or bike as their primary means of transportation.

Where You Live Helps Determine Your Health...
If it is easy for you to be physically active in your community, chances are good that you will be healthier. While recreational paths, health clubs and exercise facilities encourage physical activity, studies show that the general walkability and bikeability of a city are even more important to the health of the community. When people can easily walk or bike to everyday destinations like school, work, the library or the store, they stay healthier from youth through their senior years.

Our community has a few nice areas designed for walking and cycling, including the Sunnyside and Greenbelt pathways. Heavy use of the Greenbelt demonstrates Idaho Falls residents' desire for a pleasant, safe place to walk and bike. Ironically, thought, the Greenbelt is not connected to the rest of the city by safe bike and pedestrian routes. This is just one example of a city-wide transportation problem not unique to our area. Like most of America since the middle of the last century, Idaho Falls has become an automobile-centric town where it can be difficult and unsafe to walk or bike to destinations. IFCP wants to change that.

Projects & Committees

IFCP is currently making efforts on a number of different fronts, via several committees and/or projects. Read more about it to find out how you might be able to help.

Idaho Falls Community Pathways wants your help in improving crosswalk safety in IF.  Is there a crosswalk in your neighborhood or path of travel that could be improved by crossing flags?  You know your neighborhood better than we do, so please send us your needy crosswalk locations.  All of the flags are privately funded and if you would like to help contribute for flags and holders, you can adopt a flag crossing for only $53.00.  You can also help install the flag holders and watch out for the flags (they find ways to walk away).  Help us improve our community together.  Send your locations and any donations to Debbie Troester (ddicnt@q.com), 1911 Malibu Drive, Idaho Falls, Idaho  83404.  Include your address and telephone number in case we have questions.  Please note that the location must have a crosswalk in place for the flags to be approved, but if you think a crosswalk is needed, we will work with the city to try to get that done as well.

Contacts

Links

Idaho Falls - Today!
Teton Valley Trails and Pathways
Pathways, Jackson Hole Community