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Author: Ted Hallisey
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December 2025 Newsletter
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December Newsletter
Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for a Wonderful New Year in 2026
From the IWBA Leadership Team,
“Cowboy” Ted Hallisey – Executive Director, John Bengtson – Board of Directors Chair,
Chris Staley – BOD Treasurer, Mark Pemble – BOD Secretary, Joe Groberg – BOD Member
IWBA and Southeast Idaho Council of Governments form NEW Collaborative Human-Powered Transportation and Safe Routes to Schools program to serve 7 counties in Southeast Idaho
Southeast Idaho Sate Routes to School Portneuf Greenway Pathways Expansion
– Ribbon Cutting Event – October 2025 in Pocatello
Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad and Portneuf Greenway Foundation President – Dan Harelson cut the ribbon to celebrate the expanded trails and pathways in Pocatello
www.portneufgreenway.org
Portneuf Greenway Foundation Pocatello hosts Idaho candlelight vigil
in honor of – World Day of Remembrance –
for Road Traffic Victims
Idaho Smart Growth – Pocatello City – Southeast Council of Governments – Idaho Walk Bike Alliance and Pocatello/Chubbuck Safe Routes to Schools hosted a candlelight vigil at Pocatello City Hall on Nov. 16, 2025 to honor victims of traffic fatalities and accidents. Mayor Brian Blad spoke during the event and Crispin Gravatt of Idaho Smart Growth read a proclamation from Governor Brad Little designating Nov 16, 2025 in Idaho as a
Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
Crispin Gravatt of Idaho Smart Growth and Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad speak during Idaho Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims – candlelight vigil in Pocatello
World Day of Remembrance Please consider an end-of-year donation to Help FUND our efforts to encourage kids and families to SAFELY Walk – Bike and Roll across Idaho – by sponsoring a Human-Powered Transportation program
www.idahowalkbike.org/transportation
or making an end-of-year donation online at www.idahowalkbike.org
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November 2025 Newsletter
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November Newsletter: Remembrance and Resolve
Dear IWBA Supporters,
On Sunday, we gathered in Pocatello with community members and civic leaders to commemorate the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. Each year, on the third Sunday of November, communities across the world gather to hold a vigil for the estimated million lives lost in crashes, and the countless more lives forever impacted.
Vigil in Pocatello for the World Day of Remembrance.
It was a solemn day made even more painful by the loss of an eight year old Washington Elementary School student in Boise just five days prior, struck by a vehicle while crossing Harrison Boulevard. Our hearts go out to the family, friends, and communities impacted by this unfathomable event.
It does not have to be like this. We can choose to build safer streets and more vibrant communities; we can choose to educate our children and hold drivers to a higher standard; we can choose make sacrifices to protect our neighbors; we can choose to believe that a better world is possible.
As a supporter of the Idaho Walk Bike Alliance, you are a part of this work—and there is much work to be done. More will be shared in the coming weeks and months, but rest assured that there are Idahoans across the state just like you working toward a future where everyone makes it home to their loved ones.
I’ll leave you with a message laid beneath the tree at the intersection of Harrison and Ada: “There is no footprint too small to leave an imprint upon this world.”
Pedaling onward,
John
President, Idaho Walk Bike Alliance
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October 2025 Newsletter
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October Newsletter
Message from The IWBA Board President
Dear IWBA supporters,
The aspens are turning and my morning bike commute now requires gloves. For me and other civic minded folks across the state, these signs point to one thing: elections are on the horizon.
Odd year elections offer a chance to step away from national and state politics, and instead focus on the local offices whose influence is vast but often overlooked. As you weigh your choices this fall, consider the role that your local representatives can play in supporting transportation options for all.
Ask questions, voice concerns, and build relationships: the work of building safe, thriving communities falls to all of us.
Visit www.voteidaho.gov to see your sample ballot and polling location. To those that are already doing the work I described above, thank you for your efforts
John BengtsonIWBA Board President
October Shout-out
Thanks to all of the Idaho Residents who hung up their car keys the first week in October to join Idaho Walk Bike Alliance as we hosted the
America Walks – Week Without Driving campaign.
– Watch for Updates and Details –
as IWBA expands on this recent event…
With our NEW Monthly – Idaho-based
Non-Motorized Monday events hosted by IWBA
Recent Travels
Idaho Walk Bike Alliance had a fun first few weeks of fall – hosting programs for over 100 kids at events. Executive Director – “Cowboy” Ted Hallisey hosted a full-day of Human-Powered Rodeo events for kids and parents at Pocatello Valley Montessori School on Sept. 18 and Local News 8 was on hand to cover the event.
Local News 8 Host – Sam Ross interviews Haley Reed of Pocatello Safe Routes to Schools
https://localnews8.com/news/2025/09/18/pocatello-valley-montessori-school-hosts-human-powered-rodeo-with-idaho-walk-bike-alliance-thursday/#:~:text=Normal-,By,Walk%20Bike%20Alliance%20or%20Pocatello%20Valley%20Montessori%20School%20Facebook%20pages.,-Article%20Topic%20Follows
Cowboy Ted also hosted a Reading, Roping and Human-Powered Rodeo event for kids and families at Larsen Sant Library in Preston Idaho on Oct. 14 and kids rode bikes, scooters and stick horses around the Human Powered Rodeo course during events of keyhole – barrel racing and flag race – along with roping the bull.
View IWBA Shoutout for Top Events in Idaho
Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation For Health is hosting the annual Mayor’s Walking Challenge in October. It’s as easy as 1-2-3
Mayors wear an activity tracker and commit to walk every day in October
Mayors earn funds for their community – averaging 5,000 steps per day earns $500 and 10,000 steps per day translates to $1,000
Funds are used for programs and projects that encourage physical activity and well-being in the Mayor’s local community
Encourage your mayor to sign-up at www.bcidahofoundation.org
Blackfoot Mayor – Marc Carroll with IWBA Executive Director – “Cowboy” Ted Hallisey
View Help FUND our efforts to encourage kids and families to SAFELY Walk – Bike and Roll across Idaho – by sponsoring a program or making a donation online at www.idahowalkbike.org
PLEASE HELP US HOST FUN FAMILY EVENTS IN IDAHO COMMUNITIES
If 75% of our Newsletter Subscribers will commit to donate $8 per month or $100 per year – IWBA can host FUN Human-Powered Transportation events every month in 2026 for kids/families in 25+ communities in Idaho. AND show families lots of fun ways to Walk – Bike and Roll Safely across IDAHO
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/15thanniversaryform2024
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Walk Bike August 2025 Newsletter
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August Newsletter
Friends, supporters, and fellow advocates,
My name is John; as you may have heard, I recently stepped into the role of IWBA Board president following the retirement of long time board member and president Molly O’Reilly. I am grateful for the opportunity to build upon Molly’s significant legacy, and excited to help write the next chapter of walking, biking, and rolling in our great state.
It’s no secret that we face a challenging moment for active transportation. Recent legislative efforts have made it harder for communities to build safer infrastructure, and hard-fought projects are now in limbo.
At the same time, it’s easy to find green shoots if you know where to look. Projects across the state have enabled Idahoans of all ages and abilities to move as they see fit. As we travel the state, we find that communities of all shapes and sizes relish the opportunity to be active–if given the chance. You can read more about these efforts below.
At IWBA, we know that active transportation helps build healthier individuals and more vibrant communities. We also know we’re not alone: if you agree, I want to hear from you. Send me a message (john@idahowalkbike.org) and let’s find a time to chat. I’m looking forward to learning from you.
John
Recent Travels
A Summer of Human Powered Rodeo Events
We’re excited to share that Executive Director Ted Hallisey spent his first summer with IWBA designing and launching a new Human-Powered Rodeo program to feature actual rodeo events like keyhole, barrel racing, roping and pole bending with a cycling twist.
Kids and parents were very excited to try the new events during the recent events at library libraries, fairs. We were honored to be invited to join Southeast Idaho communities and host events in Downey, Inkom, Arimo, Lava Hot Springs, and McCammon to be part of their communities every week.
Call or email Ted Hallisey (208-870-1633, ted@idahowalkbike.org) to schedule a Human-Powered Rodeo Event at your school, library, or community events.
IWBA Executive Director Ted Hallisey along with Blackfoot Mayor Marc Carroll and Library Director Tammy Bartlett at Jensens Grove event in Blackfoot.
South Central Idaho Safe Routes to School Programs
Our IWBA Safe Routes to Schools team of David, Tencia, and Charmane created a number of great family-friendly and fun events for kids and families in Buhl, Idaho on 4th of July 2025 with a bike safety program that put smiles on faces of kids and families in Buhl, Idaho on 4th of July 2025 during the annual Sagebrush Days celebration.
David had some very positive feedback from kids and parents: a boy of about 10 shared that he was very thankful, not only for the course, but the chance to ride a bike, because he didn’t have one. Many kids returned throughout the day to ride as their parents enjoyed the fair.
News from our communities
Weigh in on Ada County Highway District Projects
IWBA supporters from Ada County are probably well aware that it’s public comment season. Each year, Ada County Highway District solicits feedback on its Five Year Plan: residents can give granular input on projects proposed to happen (or not happen!) in the next five years.
As planners and engineers navigate the impact of laws passed during the 2025 Legislative Session, it’s more important than ever to voice your support for safe walking and biking infrastructure.
Click the link below to weigh in before September 10th.
ACHD Five Year Plan
New Projects in Pocatello and Boise
Finally, at a time when advocacy for active transportation can feel like an uphill battle, I want to close by quickly highlighting two projects that will soon teach and enable the next generation of walkers, bikers, and rollers.
New Pathways in Pocatello
New multi-use paths are coming to Southeast Idaho thanks to the folks at Portnuef Greenway Foundation.
Learn more
A Place to Practice in Boise
The City of Boise and the Boise Bicycle Project opened their new permanent Traffic Garden, giving kids (and kids at heart) the chance to get more comfortable on a bike in street environments.
Learn more
