The installation of solar panels at the Boise Bicycle Project (BBP) has contributed significantly to their journey towards a more sustainable future. As a nonprofit community cooperative based in Idaho, BBP actively promotes the personal, social, and environmental benefits of bicycling.
With the savings realized from reduced electricity bills, BBP has been able to extend its impact, putting a restored bicycle into the hands of one more child every month throughout the year. This remarkable initiative aligns with their commitment to fostering a bicycle-friendly community while advancing their mission to empower and enrich lives through cycling.
Project Overview:
The Boise Bicycle Project (BBP) exemplifies a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, empowering the bicycling community and promoting bicycles as a viable mode of transportation within the city. Their vision is to create a more bicycle-friendly environment, replacing gas-burning vehicles with pedal power, and contributing to a better and greener Boise for current and future generations. As part of their dedication to reducing waste and utilizing existing resources, BBP engages in reusing and reinventing salvaged materials.
In 2018, BBP provided their valuable services to over 4,185 community members, generously giving away 719 refurbished bikes to children and 55 to adults. Additionally, they conducted 12 kids' fix-it bike workshops and organized 30 mobile bike repair workshops, furthering their impact on the community. This process is repeated every year, touching more community members year after year.
In 2019 we installed an 8.68 kW photovoltaic (PV) solar energy system projected to save the organization approximately $1,100 annually. By going solar, BBP took yet another step towards realizing their mission of promoting eco-friendly transportation and reducing their environmental footprint.
“Each dollar diverted from keeping the lights on will be invested in the community,” says the Executive Director, Jimmy HallyBurton. In addition, he hopes to use the additional funds to support training kids about safe riding. He says “some of these children may be receiving their first wheels ever and will become the next generation of cycling advocates to share the love of this healthy, productive, and fun activity.”
THANK YOU to individuals and organizations who have made contributions to help bring solar to the Boise Bicycle Project!
Special Thanks to....
Carolyn Chandler, Wen Lee, Youness Scally, Krish Eswaran, Carolyn Chandler, Wen Lee, Sravant Lavu, Lee Barken, Jeremy Russell, Ellen and Neal McNeale, David Ellis, Karla Mundy, The Gumerlock Family Foundation, Makers4Good.
