Idaho Bills Limit New Bike Lanes, Sidewalks

Two new Idaho laws limit when and where cities in Ada County, which includes Boise, can build bike lanes and sidewalks, reports James Knight in Cycling West. “The new bills essentially say that bike lanes and pedestrian facilities can only be improved upon or added to a highway project if they provide a secondary benefit to the project, or are near schools or parks, or if there are federal regulations requiring such action.” Lawmakers who don’t follow these rules can be fined or even imprisoned. Knight notes that the bills were proposed by politicians from outside the county itself. 

In a statement in March, the Boise Bicycle Project said the laws “tie the hands of public servants who want to prioritize safety” and “prioritize motor vehicle movement over people’s lives.”