Pedal car and bicycle rental shop on greenbelt
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I think a pedal-power rental shop could be successful if allowed to locate on the Idaho Falls greenbelt. I recall in Moscow there is a small rental shop on the very edge of the University of Idaho campus, also located on the Palouse trail (a miles-long walking path). It opened from spring through fall, and rented out bicycles and four-wheeled pedal carts. Check this link for what I mean by four-wheeled pedal carts.
Bikes rented well enough to carry, but the tourists really liked the pedal carts. It made for an interesting but relaxing experience. The carts are available for couples or families, so the target market is wide open for an Idaho Falls greenbelt location.
I was bouncing this idea off someone the other day, and they said our city council would not allow this because no other private businesses are allowed on the greenbelt. I admit this may be current policy, but it’s time to change the policy to enable opportunities and growth.
I point to the privately-owned funland park located in the middle of Tautphaus Park as a precedent for allowing privately-owned businesses to locate right on the greenbelt. I previously suggested food vendors be allowed to get permits for specially-designated areas on the greenbelt. Our greenbelt is pretty but not lively. Carefully planning for limited businesses like a few food vendors, a pedal-vehicle rental shop, and a paddle-boat rental shop (see tomorrow’s post) would be like adding the perfect amount of spice to our plain greenbelt.
Surely our citizens want these things? Surely tourists want these things? Surely the Idaho Falls city council and mayor want these things?
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Comments
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0 Yeah, the pedal carts would have to share narrow sidewalks, and that’s a drawback. Because they are so neat and create such a neat activity in IF, though, I’d like to see a work around somehow. A very aggressive idea would be to close off a lane of traffic around the greenbelt just for those, but I suppose there would have to be significant use to approve that.
On the other hand, these carts are for easy-going fun time not racing, so perhaps they could share the sidewalks and pathways with others. Make it a municipal rule to not allow them onto the grass (minimize damage), and they may only go in one direction (create a circuit), and everyone will just know to step out of the way for the carts. If there’s a large throng of people, then the carts just have to wait a few minutes. Again, it’s meant to be fun and relaxing so waiting for a clear path shouldn’t be a problem.
And of course there could be restrictions against renting these carts during busy times like after 4pm on the fourth of July or the Snake River Roaring Youth Jam.
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0 0 Is there a law against businesses run on the greenbelt? I would like to rent a paddle boat to go around the taylor crosing river spot.
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0 0 I’m all for having bike rental business around the greenbelt. I think it would do real good. As for paddle boats on the river…not so much. Anyone who’s been in a paddle or “pedal” boat can tell you it takes quite a bit of effort to move these things on a calm lake, let alone a fast moving river such as the snake. The currents would take you too far down river too quickly on a paddle boat.
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0 0 I think when someone is serious about approaching Idaho Falls City Council. Just tell them what an IF native is doing in Boise.
boiserecumbent.com
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I’ve got no problem with the paddle boats. The power boaters might, but I’ll let them address that if they want to.
I don’t like the idea of having peddle carts on the Greenbelt primarily because the current paths and sidewalks are not wide enough to accommodate the carts and pedestrians safely. If the peddle carts are restricted to using the streets along with the automobiles then my objection goes away.
I would not be opposed to push-cart vendors on the green areas. I would not want to see permanent structures put up on the Greenbelt by vendors. But being able to buy a Coke or a cup of coffee while walking the Greenbelt would be a nice addition.