Jimmy Hallyburton had no experience running a nonprofit organization when he launched the Boise Bicycle Project in 2007. It was an eye-opening experience for the firefighter turned founder.

“In the nonprofit world, you realize quickly that you can’t do this alone,” Hallyburton said. “Partnership is everything.”

One of the key partnerships he formed was with the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, which was sponsoring an annual charity bike ride called the Blue Cruise. The mission match regarding the importance of physical activity and bicycles was a natural fit.

Boise Bicycle Project (BBP) was established to provide bicycles and repair services for children.

“That early exposure from the Blue Cruise was critical,” Hallyburton said. “It helped people understand who we were and what we were trying to build.”

The visibility led to more donations and volunteers. Support from the Foundation came from proceeds from the Blue Cruise, which enabled Boise Bike Project to provide a safety lesson and helmet with every bike donation.

“We went from giving away 60 or 70 bikes a year to well over a thousand,” Hallyburton said.

BBP continued to grow and now offers more than bikes and safety lessons. There are programs for youth, teen and adults. There are volunteer opportunities, memberships, repair workshops, and advocacy work that promotes safety, health and environment, and community.

Hallyburton retired from BBP in 2024. He is proud of what the organization has become.

“What started as giving kids bicycles turned into something much bigger ­– making sure they had safe places to ride, the right equipment, and a community supporting them,” he said. “Everybody involved is benefiting from being in community with each other.”

Hallyburton continues to serve the community, currently as a member of the Boise City Council. He remains a steadfast believer in the importance of physical activity and pedestrian safety.

Thank you, Jimmy, for your partnership and commitment to building healthier neighborhoods.