I've lived in the Boise, Idaho area for many years and have been car-free since July 2021. Boise and the greater Treasure Valley have challenges regarding the cycling infrastructure.  The Boise greenbelt and Hill Road are wonderful cycling areas, but other parts of the valley are less than adequate (In my opinion).

A long-time cycling advocate in the Boise area is the Boise Bicycle Project. This weekend they are hosting “Open Streets Boise”. They will be transforming a part of Boise into a car-free event where participants can interact with other cyclists and pedestrians while enjoying all the festivities! There will be local art, food, music and more!
The date is September 22nd from 12-5 PM on Latah street on the Boise Bench.
For more information, visit the Boise Bicycle Project Website.

As I've shared on my website,  I've been car-free for three years this month! I was flattered when I was recently contacted by a USA Today reporter that was doing a story about American's going car-free. 

In the article, they also share the stories of other American's making the decision to live without a car. They share the challenges and rewards they've had while living a car-free lifestyle. Click below to read the article.

With the forecast calling for highs between 105 and 110 this weekend, I took an early morning bike ride to take care of some errands before it got too hot.

My first stop was the Post Office to check my mailbox. While there, I had a lovely conversation with a gentleman cleaning the lobby.

From there, I went to the bank to get some cash. After the worldwide IT issues a couple of days earlier, I want a backup should something similar occur again.

Then, it was on to the grocery store. I came across a family standing outside their vehicle that had broken down. They were trying to push it out of the roadway, and I stopped to help them. I jokingly told one of them that I would keep my bike. She noticed my panniers and asked if I use my bike to get groceries. I told her I was going to the grocery store and mentioned that this month marks three years since I've owned a car. She had a puzzled look on her face and replied, "Really?" We talked for 5 minutes, wished each other well, and I continued to the store.

After getting a few things, I headed back home. All along my ride, I was saying good morning to people out for a walk and waiving to several other cyclists out to get a ride in before the heat set in.
What a fantastic way to begin my day and all before 7:00 AM!

As you'll see by ride map, I only went slightly over 7 miles. This goes to prove that even a short ride can have an amazing impact on your day, life and perhaps someone else too!

Spring fever has definitely hit me! It's been around 70 for the past 3 days and riding my e-bike has been such a blast! 
Having conversations with people along the Greenbelt...pedestrians, cyclists and people outside spending time with their pups! 
Idaho and Cycling - A Great Match!

I sold my truck in July 2021 and have been car-free since. I used my bicycle for transportation until I injured my foot in June 2023, and I purchased an e-bike in September 2023. I love my e-bike, and it's made my life much easier. Still, I've always been an adventurer, and I've been missing taking drives to other areas away from my home. I've been researching vehicles and have even applied for financing got approved, and ordered a new car.

Before I accepted delivery of the car, I had second thoughts and canceled the order. I continued looking at vehicles, watching reviews on YouTube, and contacting local dealers when a car caught my attention. The number of emails and phone calls I've received from the dealerships tells me it must be really tough in the car market right now.
Several articles I read and videos I watched indicated uncertain times ahead for the auto industry and the economy in general.

Further research on the costs of car ownership opened my eyes even more.

• Average Monthly Payment - $726.00 for new and $533.00 for used.  (Source - NerdWallet)
• Average Annual Auto Insurance Premium - $1.982.00 (Source - NerdWallet)

As I mentioned above, I always enjoyed taking trips to areas away from my home which is challenging on a bicycle though not impossible, I rode across the USA in 2017. Still, to take a long trip to visit family or friends would be difficult. I can always rent a car or fly. Plus, I came across a car sharing website called TURO that looks like it may be a great option. If you've used TURO please leave your thoughts in the comments.

During my time being car-free, I've managed through various resources that can deliver anything I've needed.

• Instacart
• Amazon
• Door-Dash
• Uber Eats

I've also utilized ride-share services from Uber and Lyft when needed.

You may have heard on the news that there is a new, totally car-free community in Tempe, Arizona. It looks pretty interesting and they have partnered with bike companies, ride-share businesses and more. The community  includes apartments for rent, with transportation, shopping, restaurants and more all within walking or cycling distance.
Learn more about Culdesac Tempe

If you are a car owner or are just doing research, I recommend checking out the website Caredge.com. The site is run by a 43 year car sales professional and his son. There is a wealth of research resources and they also have an informative and entertaining YouTube channel. The video below I found especially interesting:
IT'S OFFICIALLY THE WORST TIME EVER TO OWN A CAR!

This article isn’t about the tech specs of the Level 2 e-bike but about the buying experience and initial thoughts about the bike. You can get those tech specs on the Aventon website or numerous YouTube videos if you are looking for them.

The online buying process from Aventon was easy and quick. I didn’t have any issues whatsoever. 

Communications from Aventon were excellent throughout. From order confirmation to shipping updates, I always had up-to-the-minute information about my bike. They also provided links to download the owner’s manual and quick start guide. There were also physical copies in the box.

I ordered my bike over the Labor Day Holiday weekend, so it didn’t ship until Tuesday, and I received it early Friday morning.

The box was in good condition with no visible damage. The Level 2 comes almost completely assembled, and The Aventon website provides an easy-to-follow video with instructions to complete assembly (See video below). The video shows the bike being packed in foam to protect the components and the bike itself; however, mine came wrapped in brown paper and paper ties (Not plastic Zip Ties), I’m guessing for environmental reasons. Still, my bike had no damage.
Assembly took about  30 minutes, and it took nearly 4.5 hours for the battery to charge for the first time.

Video from Aventon website

Having never ridden an e-bike, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to ride. It wasn’t jerky when changing the pedal assist mode, and it was just plain fun to ride! The controller was simple, and the display was clear and bright.
I took a short ride around my neighborhood to familiarize myself with the bike before I venture out on a longer ride.

There is an available app that helps show your stats from your rides and battery status, plus an online community of Aventon E-bike owners where you can share information and photos and ask questions. There are several other unique features on the app. Cool!

Living a car-free lifestyle, I’m excited to see how owning this e-bike will enhance my life and make traveling in my community more accessible and safer.

If you're a regular cyclist like me, (car-free since July 2021) you know that riding a bike can be a great way to exercise and save money on transportation. But what if you're looking for a way to make cycling more accessible and enjoyable? An e-bike might be the perfect solution.

After I injured my foot, I haven't been able to ride my “traditional” bike as often or as far as I would like. Additionally, being car-free, I rely on my bike for grocery shopping and other errands plus the occasional commute to the office (10 miles each way), so it seems to me that an e-bike is a great alternative. There are many benefits to switching to an e-bike from a traditional bicycle, and while everyone’s reasons may be different, here are some of the things that have made me make the change (though perhaps not permanent) to an e-bike.

• E-bikes are easier to ride. The electric motor can take some of the strain out of pedaling, making riding more accessible for extended periods. This can be especially beneficial for people with limited mobility, like I do with my foot injury.
• With a properly equipped e-bike, I can carry more gear easily.
• I can ride an e-bike with fenders, lights, and other accessories in most types of weather.

If you're considering switching to an e-bike, there are some things you need to keep in mind. First, you must decide what type of e-bike is right for you. Many different types of e-bikes are available, so it's essential to research and find one that meets your needs.

Second, you must ensure that you are familiar with the laws in your area regarding e-bikes. Some locations have restrictions on where e-bikes can be ridden. Having reviewed the laws in my area and considerable research, I’ve decided to purchase an e-bike.

The e-bike I’ve decided on is the Aventon Level.2 commuter bike. I’ve spoken with owners of Aventon e-bikes, and they are very impressed with them, and it will work well in my area and terrain. (Idaho).

I share information about the buying process, shipping, assembly, and initial impressions. 

This morning I rode my bicycle for the first time in two months after I injured my foot when I fell off the back of a truck while helping a friend move.

My foot is still swollen, and I can only get my shoe on by wearing compression socks. Having not checked my mail at the Post Office and wanting to get back on my bike, I decided to give it a shot.

The Post Office is about 2.5 miles from my home, with a few moderate hills on the ride back. Before getting on the busy street, I rode in my neighborhood to ensure no safety issues.

Feeling okay, I headed to the Post Office without any issues. I could feel my foot throbbing, but it wasn’t excruciating, so I continued.

The return ride home was more demanding, but I made it through. I was so relieved when I took my shoe off and relaxed.

Only being a 5-mile ride, this wouldn’t be something I would usually celebrate, but I am! This small victory reminded me of my challenges on my ride across America. Pressing on when I wasn’t sure I could. Perhaps more importantly, making the decision to do it!  It was overcoming the pain (this short ride was as painful as anything I can remember from my ride across the country) and reaching my destination.

Was this healthy for my foot recovery? I’m unsure of that; however, it was healthy for my soul and spirit! Saying good morning to the people on their morning walks with their dogs, enjoying the crisp morning air, and the satisfaction of completing this simple but real goal.

Not wanting to overdo it and aggravate my injury, I will take it easy for the rest of the day.

As I mentioned in my recent podcast, I’ve relied on Instacart to deliver my groceries. Tomorrow, I plan on riding my bike to the store once again!

When my truck needed major repairs in the spring of 2021, I found myself relying on my bicycle to get around. This included, grocery shopping, bank, post office...pretty much everything! The repairs took nearly two months to complete and during this period my passion for cycling was reignited. I say "reignited" because cycling has always been a part of my life, including my bike ride across America in 2017. 
July of 2021, I made the decision to sell my truck and go car-free.

I work remotely, so the commute to the office has not been an issue. I haven't had the occassion to use public transportation, but have used ride share a time or two and asked my neighbor to take me to Zamzows to get the large bags of dog food for my Golden Retriever, Ace. Aside from these rare circumstances, my bike has been my sole form of transportation.

My bike of choice is the REI CTY 1.1 (pictured below). I use the Ortlieb panniers for carrying gear. These are the same ones I used on my ride across America. It has been a great bike for the Boise terrain, Including the Boise Greenbelt.

The Boise greenbelt is such a Treasure to the Boise community! You can ride alongside the Boise River from Eagle to Lucky Peak with hardly ever having to go on a city street. It's a beautiful and peaceful way to commute or for a relaxing, leisurely ride. 

As mentinoned, the greenbelt is a fantastic way to get around the greater Boise area. Once you leave the greenbelt, it can be much more challenging depending where you are in the city. Downtown Boise has been doing more to accomodate cyclists, however other areas offer fewer bike lanes for safe cycling.  State Street has been especially challenging with the lack of bike lanes and heavy traffic. Hill Road is a popular cycling street with defined bike lanes that takes cyclists from Eagle to Downtown Boise.
​As more people begin to commute by bike, there needs to be more bike parking at restaurants, stores, banks and other retail establishments.

Conclusion: I live close to grocery stores, some restaurants and other shopping. I live alone (with my Golden Retriever) so transportation for kids, large grocery runs etc. haven't been an issue.
Motorists have been very kind for the most part. Follow the rules of the road and most motorists will respect you.

With local gas prices averaging $4.63 per gallon at the time of this post, decent weather, and improving bike lanes, cycling has proven to be a viable form of transportation in Boise, Idaho.
For more information, listen to my Podcast "Living a Car-Free Life"

Over the past few days, Boise has gotten around 7 inches of snow and fell to -3 a couple days ago. Plows have cleared most of the major roadways but sidewalks, shoulders and parking lots are still tricky to navigate.

This morning, I headed out to my local grocery store with my ortlieb panniers to carry my purchases home. Being only 12 degrees and the wind chill (not actual wind but the 20 MPH I was riding) really put a bite on my hands and toes. Note to self: Invest in better gloves and socks.

​It’s interesting when I owned a car and the weather was this cold, I wouldn’t have even thought about riding my bike. Too many easy excuses not to. But, when you get rid of your car, you also get rid of the excuses and you get on that bike and ride, regardless of the weather conditions. A few turns of the crank and I’m really exhilarated and eager for the ride ahead of me!

Winter has just begun and I’m sure there will be many challenging days ahead but I’m looking forward to every one of them!