About Us

A committee was formed out of a 1995 public meeting with an Idaho Transportation Department Bike Path Coordinator to discuss making new bike trails in our region. Responding to his suggestions the committee spent 6 months creating a "Master Plan" for bike trails in Bonner County. This plan laid out bike path dimensions, a mission statement, as well as a set of proposed trails with accompanying map and a priority list of projects.

The next months were spent presenting this plan to the county and city planning departments for acceptance as part of their comprehensive plans. The plan was accepted as a basis for future trail development.

The group incorporated as North Idaho Bikeways, Inc and received a 501-C3 tax exempt status to accept donations and embarked on its first project, the 3 mile long Sagle Trail. In l996 despite no experience and little money, and with the help of the Idaho National Guard Reserve and local volunteer time and materials, the group was able to construct ½ mile of trail. This success let to obtaining a $90,000.00, 50%, match grant from the Idaho Parks and Recreation Department to finish the 3 mile project. Gathering $130,000.00 in donated time, money and materials the project was completed in l998, and dedicated the Carlson-McConnaughey Sandpoint to Sagle Community Trail.

Bolstered by this success and with new contacts made with local and regional administrations, Idaho Transportation contractors, local service groups, the Forest Service, and with new federal grant funds available, North Idaho Bikeways was able to set out on its 10 year plan to connect the Greater Sandpoint area with bikeways. It was a dream that was becoming reality.

In the 15 years since it’s founding, North Idaho Bikeways, Inc. has helped to complete 11 bike trail projects totaling 10.3 miles.  We have one funded project under construction for 1.3 miles and two designed, but unfunded projects totally 3 miles.  There are numerous other projects in the planning stages. Descriptions of all these projects with photographs can be found under Projects on this web site.

North Idaho Bikeways has an ongoing trail bench program to provide bike trail seating as listed under Projects-Benches on this web page. We have yearly clean up projects. Please see Project Maintenance on this web site.

North Idaho Bikeways also has attempted to help neighboring communities with "how to" information on planning and obtaining grants for trails. Please see Project-planning on this web site.

Future plans include providing trail maps, both street trails and mountain bike trails, to visitors and locals through kiosk design and fee maps. There are also plans to promote new bike rack facilities as well as promoting bike safety by publishing bike "rules of the road" guides and helping in helmet programs.

The committee exists today as a small group meeting usually on alternate months. If you are interested in helping or donating please see the Contact Us page on this web site.