BENTON SMITH

Programs director

I moved to Boise for college in 2010 from a small farm-town in Eastern Idaho with little money, no car, and only a vague sense of where the apartment I was taking over for an acquaintance I barely knew was even located.

It felt like the only thing I had to my name was a handed down road bike given to me during high school. Only, in my one highway, two stop town I really had never taken the opportunity to ride that so the bike and I were relative strangers and I remember being terrified about the move – wondering how I would get to classes, or find a job, or shop for groceries that first year.

Only, when I got to Boise I quickly realized how misplaced my worry had been. Intentional urban planning carving out space for alternative transportation was new and exciting to me and I soon began following the work of organizations such as Boise Bicycle Project to learn how members and volunteers help to advocate for better transportation pathways, educate the public about safe biking practices, and work to keep bikes running. During that first year, biking quickly went from being my only way to get around to one of my favorite hobbies and my preferred way to explore our city.

After graduating college, spending two years working as a reporter, and five years managing nonprofit programs, I continue to be inspired by the individuals who all keep BBP moving forward. I began my time at BBP as the Volunteer Manager, and am now the Programs Director. I’m thrilled my job consists of leading our programs and assisting others trying to learn how to foster the bicycling community they want here in Boise!

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