Our Impact & History

BikeWalk Provo (BWP) has helped shape a more bike- and pedestrian-friendly city through advocacy and collaboration with Provo City, UDOT, UTA, Provo School District, BYU, and neighborhood groups. Read on to see how those efforts have transformed streets, schools, and everyday life in Provo.

Impact

Engineering & Infrastructure

We’ve worked alongside planners, engineers, and community leaders to create safer, more accessible streets and trail systems across Provo:

  • Safer School Crossings: Such as 600 E/Center Street by Provo Peaks Elementary and 600 W/500 N by Timpanogos Elementary

  • Trail Improvements: Including enhancements to the Provo River Trail and creation of the Lakeview Parkway Trail

  • Neighborhood Bikeways: On 200 E, 800 E (with a crossblock path), 300 W, and 940/960 N

  • Multi-use Sidewalks: Along 500 W (between Cougar Blvd and 300 S) and 900 E (University Parkway to 900 N)

  • Unique Bike Crossings: On 200 E at 300 S and 700 N; on 500 W at 300 N; and on 300 S at 100 W and 300 W – the only of their kind in Utah

  • Network Expansion: Provo's bikeway network grew from 20 miles in 2010 to 91 miles in 2024

  • Cougar Blvd Protected Lanes: Leading directly to the main entrance of BYU

  • Frontrunner Pedestrian/Bike Bridge: Advocated for and completed in 2023

  • Bike Parking: Our team has consulted and installed dozens of racks at schools, businesses, and apartments

Education & Encouragement

We’ve partnered with city departments and schools to educate, celebrate, and encourage active transportation:

  • Bike Month in May: Started as Bike to Work Day and grew to Provo’s largest geographic event, featuring 25+ breakfast stations and hundreds of participants

  • Walktober in October: A new celebration emphasizing walking and pedestrian safety

  • Bike to School Week: In collaboration with schools and the district since 2011

  • Provo Bike Hub: Helped establish the DIY-focused shop in 2025 following the closure of the Provo Bicycle Collective

  • Ongoing Events: Service projects, community rides, film screenings, tactical urbanism, and local advocacy

History

Early Successes (Pre-2018)

Pre-2018 Highlights

  • Helped develop a robust network of bikeways in Provo, including bike lanes and multi-use paths on 300 South, 500 West, North University Avenue, and Canyon Road

  • Supported future projects including protected bike lanes on Bulldog Boulevard, a neighborhood bikeway on 200 East (with Utah’s third bike signal), and bikeways on 800 East and 450 North

  • Achieved bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community status in 2012 from the League of American Bicyclists

  • Established a biking community through events like Monday Night Night Rides and Provelo picnics

  • Incubated the Provo Bicycle Collective in partnership with the Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective

  • Carried out tactical urbanism projects on University Avenue (2014), 200 East (2015), and 500 North (2017)

  • Helped establish and grow Bike Month from Bike to Work Day to a month-long celebration with events like the Ride of Silence, Bike Prom, and the Ghost Ride

  • Successfully encouraged adoption of the 2013 Provo Bicycle Master Plan

  • Supported the Provo River Trail improvements (2018–2019) and construction of the Slate Canyon Bike Park (downhill course completed in 2017)

  • Hosted the 2016 Utah Bicycle Summit with keynote Gary Fisher

  • Advocated on the UTA BRT stakeholder committee for bike-friendly improvements, including the College Connector Trail, bike-signal installations, and bike lanes on University Avenue

  • Worked with schools on consulting and rebuilding projects to enhance bicycle accessibility

  • Supported BYU’s pursuit of Bicycle Friendly University designation (achieved bronze level)

  • Received the 2016 Bike Utah Local Advocacy Award

Recent Accomplishments (2018–2021)

2018

  • Built a public pathway from 900 East to 800 East

  • Took several city and BYU officials on an active transportation tour

  • Supported the Bulldog Boulevard street rehabilitation project

  • Organized Clean the Air protest rides

  • Created and crowdsourced a citywide bike parking inventory

  • Presented at the Utah Pedestrian Summit

2019

  • Plowed Cougar Boulevard bike lanes in winter as a thank-you gesture

  • Installed Bicycle Friendly Community signs along Cougar Boulevard

  • Created a comprehensive Provo/BYU bike route map in collaboration with the city

  • Carried out a citywide bike/walk count

  • Presented at the UN Civil Societies Conference in Salt Lake City

  • Led a major tactical urbanism project on 300 West, later published in Strong Towns

  • Organized Bike Month events including the Ride of Silence

  • Signed the 200 East and 800 East neighborhood bikeways with the Utah County Health Department

  • Supported UDOT's installation of bike/pedestrian-only intersections in US-89 and UVX projects

  • Advocated for new bicycle parking requirements in city development code

  • Presented at the Utah Bike Summit

2020

  • Launched #BikeWalkProvoStories to highlight local stories

  • Sent over 170 emails and met with city officials about the UVX stop at 900 East and Heritage Drive

  • Took multiple city and state officials on walking and biking tours

  • Organized a pandemic-era Bike to School Week

  • Hosted a pedestrian safety webinar with Angie Schmitt and several university and government partners

  • Installed dozens of bike racks around the city and placed educational stickers on bike infrastructure

  • Helped publicize a potential Provo River Trail extension and mobilized public comments to UDOT, resulting in project funding

  • Created local walking and biking tour maps

  • Organized community opposition to the 820 N road widening, resulting in its removal from the city plan

  • Hosted a Motherload film screening and cargo bike roundup

  • Generated high turnout at the Transportation Master Plan Open House, influencing public feedback

  • Collaborated with Pioneer Book on Center Street tactical urbanism

2021

  • Successfully applied for and earned Silver-level Bicycle Friendly Community status

  • Painted ponytails on bike lane symbols for more inclusive representation

  • Hosted a sold-out screening of Motherload with director Liz Canning

  • Held a well-attended cargo bike roundup the following week

  • Partnered with BYU urban planning and engineering professors to integrate walk/bike tours into coursework

  • Cleaned up trash along University Avenue, Center Street, and Cougar Boulevard during service projects

  • Gave active transportation tours to BYU students, professors, and Congressman John Curtis

  • Hosted themed rides, including International Women’s Day Ride

Ongoing Efforts

  • Continued weekly events like Monday Night Rides, Bike Prom, Provelo Picnics, and more

  • Supported BYU’s bronze-level Bicycle Friendly University designation through infrastructure and programming

  • Provided support and volunteers for city projects like Slate Canyon Bike Park and Provo River Trail grants

  • Hosted Bike to School Week annually since 2011 and launched Walktober in October

  • Maintained advocacy presence in local transportation planning and policy efforts

  • Played a key role in founding and sustaining both the Provo Bicycle Collective and Provo Bike Hub

  • Led tactical urbanism projects on streets like 500 North, 100 South, Center Street, and more

  • Co-hosted the 2016 Utah Bicycle Summit with Bike Utah

  • Advocated for and achieved both Bronze and Silver Bicycle Friendly Community designations for Provo

  • Engaged the public through countless events, educational campaigns, and public comment drives