Did you know that Boise has the fourth-highest percentage of bike commuters in America? Or that Boise consistently has been named one of the top 50 cycling cities in the country by Bicycling magazine? And did you know that Boise State is one of just 18 universities in the country given a “gold” designation as a Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists? And that the Boise Foothills were named a “Gold Level Ride Center” by the International Mountain Bicycling Association? Outside magazine, which says “Boise is a place you move to for outdoor fun,” has called our City of Trees one of the best river cities in America and one of the top 10 places for active families. In 2016, the magazine went one better, saying Boise is flat-out one of the 10 best places in America to live. If you don’t believe the national hype, just try to ask Olympic road cyclist Kristin Armstrong while she flies past you on the Boise roads where she trained for her amazing three gold medals over 12 years. You might have to shout.
Do you need a car at Boise State?
Absolutely not. Between our on-campus housing options and an ever-growing suite of choices in apartment complexes and houses in our surrounding neighborhoods, thousands of Boise State students live just blocks from campus. Every student, faculty and staff member at Boise State rides the ValleyRide bus system for free. Our Bronco Shuttles connect campus to the densely student-populated Lusk Street area and the heart of downtown Boise — the quickest and easiest way to get to our downtown facilities, Boise’s thriving food scene and our city’s urban grocery stores including Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. Albertsons, which started in Boise, has a store adjacent to campus on the south side. Broncos get a sweet deal on the Boise Green Bike sharing system, which has bikes and hubs across campus and throughout downtown, and on the Enterprise CarShare vehicles on campus available for longer trips. The city also boasts a vibrant taxicab fleet, rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber, and more. All in all, if you are looking for one of the easiest ways to make the most of Boise State, to keep fit year-round, and watch your pennies in the process, it is hard to find a better way than foregoing the expense of parking, gas and car payments.
The Best of Boise Biking
- Enjoy the seemingly endless single track and shared paths throughout the 190 miles of trails in Boise’s Ridge to Rivers trail system
- Ride some 25 miles of the riverside pathway on the Boise River Greenbelt
- The name is ugly, the ride is grueling, but the workout and the views are world class — Boise’s “Dump Run” keeps road cyclists in top shape
- Mountain bikes take over Boise’s Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area every summer
CAMPUS RESOURCES
- Your one-stop cycling shop is Boise State’s Cycle Learning Center
- Campus bike rentals are easy and affordable
- Campus bike barns and self-service stations keep your cycle safe and running
- Check out our interactive map of bike amenities
Learn more about the Bronco Shuttle system