The Boise Bicycle Project Presents

Sunday, September 22, 2024

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Sponsored by

🚲 JOIN A BIKE BUS 🚲

🚲 JOIN A BIKE BUS 🚲

Make your way to the event with other cyclists on a bike bus! A bike bus is a group of cyclists who follow a planned route to a destination. With several bike bus meetup locations around Boise, you can ride together, meet new friends, and enjoy a safe, fun trip to the event.

Here are the meetup locations:

North: Northend Boise Co-op

Three awesome sponsors will be part of this bike bus stop: Boise Co-op, Lime, and Cotopaxi! Enjoy a cold brew courtesy of the Co-op and get your bike tuned up (air in tires & brake checks) by a BBP mechanic before heading to Open Streets Boise. Cotopaxi will give away FREE fanny packs for the first 50 people who join the party & Lime will provide bikes and scooters to ride for 1/2 off, using code “OSB24”.

  • 888 W Fort St, Boise, ID 83702

  • Pre-funk party starts at 10:30 AM, departure at ~11:50 AM

Northwest: Sunset Park

  • 2625 N 32nd St, Boise, ID 83703

  • Meet at 10:50 AM, departure at 11:20 AM

Downtown: Boise Bicycle Project

  • 1027 S Lusk Street, Boise, ID 83706

  • Meet at 11 AM, departure at 11:30 AM

West Bench: Common Ground Coffee & Market 

  • 6419 W Ustick Rd, Boise, ID 83704

  • Meet at 10:50 AM, departure at 11:20 AM

Note: If possible, we encourage you to join a bike bus 30 minutes before its departure! If you're in the East End, you can meet at the Boise Co-op or the Boise Bicycle Project!

What is Open Streets Boise?

Hosted by the Boise Bicycle Project, Open Streets Boise will take over neighborhood streets and transform them into car-free community spaces where folks can bike, walk, and roll together. Open Streets Boise will highlight local food and businesses, bikes, and local art, along with family-friendly entertainment and live music, creating a welcoming atmosphere to come together and reimagine our streets as a place for people, not just cars.

Evolving from Boise Goathead Fest, Open Streets Boise will move between different neighborhoods & highlight different local businesses every year. You can still find wonderfully-weird ways to celebrate at our “Boise Goathead Fest Zone” - there will be live DJs on our pedal-powered stage, goathead artwork, and funky bikes!

What Are Open Streets Events?

Open streets events temporarily close certain streets to motor vehicles, transforming them into safe and accessible spaces for pedestrians, cyclists, and other non-motorized traffic. These worldwide events promote physical activity, recreation, and socialization while advocating for bike/ped infrastructure and environmental sustainability.

Originating in the 1970s with Bogotá's "Ciclovía," the concept has since spread globally. Cities like New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles have embraced open streets events! Today, these events highlight the potential for reimagining urban spaces and advocating for more livable and inclusive cities through temporary and permanent changes to urban infrastructure.

Open Streets Boise is made possible by the support from the City of Boise and our community! If you’re a community member, show your support by donating, becoming an ambassador, or by purchasing Lost Grove Brewing’s Pedal-Powered Pilsner. If you’re a business, consider becoming an in-kind or financial sponsor.  

SUPPORT THE EVENT

Business Sponsorship

Registering as a business sponsor will support Open Streets Boise & Boise Bicycle Project. And the best part? Sponsorship will put your business in front of thousands of event attendees & local media viewers.

Pedal-Powered Pilsner

Golden, clear, smooth, and crisp with a slightly bitter punch - this limited-edition beer was made in collaboration with Lost Grove Brewing! 100% of proceeds support Open Streets Boise. Celebrate the release of the Pedal-Powered Pilsner on Friday, August 9th from 6-8 PM at Lost Grove Brewing. More details here.

DONATIONS & Ambassadorship

Make a donation to the Boise Bicycle Project & help support the event or become an Open Streets Boise ambassador! Each ambassador receives an exclusive merch package.

GET INVOLVED

Goatheads, also known as puncture vine, are an invasive species that wreak havoc on bicycle tires, bare feet, and pet paws. Historically, the Boise Goathead Fest was partly a quirky celebration of Boise’s efforts to remove goatheads from affected areas in Boise. Open Streets Boise continues this tradition, and will award Boise’s top goathead pickers & spread awareness about this invasive species in the “Boise Goathead Fest Zone”. This year we have a goal to pick 10,000 pounds!

There are three great ways to pick goatheads. First, you can pick goatheads with the Boise Bicycle Project during three picking events in June, July, and August. Second, frequent goathead picking with the City of Boise’s Weed Warriors will continue this year! Third, you can organize your own picking groups/pick on your own using the Goathead Hotspot Map to get ideas on where to pick. If you record your pickings here and show a screenshot of the confirmation page, head over to Lost Grove Brewing (either location) same-day for a FREE beer or beverage on tap! Dispose of your goatheads at BBP’s goathead dumpster (in back alleyway) or in your garbage can.

Disclaimer: Ages 21+ only. Beer must be redeemed at Lost Grove Brewing on the same day as your picking. Draft beers only (no cans to-go). Free beers through the first 300, ends September 22nd.

Pick Goatheads

Volunteer

Volunteers are folks who will help build Open Streets Boise from the ground up, run the show, and then break it down year after year! By becoming a volunteer, you’ll help run Open Streets Boise. Volunteer positions are available now!

be part of the event

We’re looking to recruit local vendors, performers, and groups. This year, we are prioritizing local businesses on the Bench as vendors, but are open to applications from the community! If you are part of a business, club, or group that you think would be fun to have at Open Streets Boise, please complete the form below.

EVENT MAP

  • If you are a resident on or near Latah Street, check out our resident information page here.

    You will receive a series of neighborhood notifications and information. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Devin McComas, BBP's Executive Director, at devin@boisebicycleproject.org. Thank you!

  • Limited parking will be available. We encourage attendees to walk, bike, or use public transportation. If you do need to drive to the event, we ask that you use the free public parking in Ann Morrison Park and walk or ride up Americana to get to the start of the event route (the corner of Latah Street and W Crescent Rim Drive).

  •  Open Streets events temporarily close streets to vehicle traffic, allowing the space to be used for various activities such as walking, cycling, dancing, and other recreational activities. This transforms the street into a public park for a designated period.

  • These events promote active transportation, healthy living, social interaction, and local economic activity. They provide a safe and welcoming environment for residents to engage in physical activities and connect with their community.

  • The street will be closed from 9 AM to 6 PM on Sunday the 22nd of September.

  • Latah and Cassia Streets within the Depot Bench neighborhood will be closed to motor vehicles.

  • This year, there will be no large organized parade. However, we're organizing group rides to the event where meet-ups can happen in a few neighborhoods throughout Boise. From there, those riding bikes/scooters/roller skates/etc. can ride to the event together in style! We’ll have more information on what this will look like in August.

  • The event will go on rain or shine. Please dress accordingly.

  • The festival grounds will be mostly paved with a handful of grassy areas that should be maintained well enough for wheelchair use. Knee scooters and crutches should be comfortable to use within the festival grounds. We are planning to have an accessible drop-off area. If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Boise Bicycle Project’s Development Director, Gillian Horn, at gillian@boisebicycleproject.org.

  • Outside alcohol

    Drugs or paraphernalia

    Explosives, flammables, or flares

    Weapons (guns, knives, pepper spray)

    Drones

  • Open Streets Boise will not be providing earplugs at the event. If you would like to protect your ears during the live music performances, we request that you bring your own.

  • Yes! Children of all ages are welcome to attend this event. There will be an array of exciting kids activities. There are chances that there may be high temperatures - please plan accordingly.

  • To purchase alcohol, you will need to have a valid ID with you. You will be ID’d at the time of purchase and given a wristband. An ID is not needed to attend the event.

  • No, we will not be checking printed or electronic event registration during the event. Your registration helps us stay connected & anticipate the number of attendees! But it is not required to access the event.

  • You can purchase merchandise at the event’s merchandise booth and/or at Boise Bicycle Project. Merchandise at BBP may be limited.

  • Yes, you can bring a reusable cup, or steel cup, to fill at the festival. We also encourage water bottles.

  • No, but you will be entered for a chance to win a $100 gift card at BBP!

  • Each volunteer will receive an Open Streets Boise bandana!

  • Yes - dogs are welcome this year! We ask that folks only bring their pals if they’re friendly and on-leash the entire time.

  • Beer and other alcoholic beverages purchased can be drunk within the beer garden. No outside food or drink, please.

  • Please visit our volunteer booth if you and your child are separated.

frequently asked questions (FAQS)

If you’re interested in doing a story on Open Streets Boise, please reach out to Whitney Schrader, BBP’s Marketing & Communications Manager, at whitney@boisebicycleproject.org.

PRESS & MEDIA INQUIRIES