On a bicycle, destinations become journeys in which you connect to and are influenced by the surrounding environment. For some people, riding a bicycle is a choice, for others it is there only transportation option; regardless, the goal is to connect you to something or somewhere. What you don't expect, are the connections in between.

Jimmy spent most of his childhood exploring the Boise countryside on hand-me-down bicycles. With two wheels below and open roads in the distance, he discovered the freedom, opportunity and independence a bicycle can bring. After high school, Jimmy hit the open roads again, traveling all over the country fighting wildfires for the Idaho City Hotshots. With a Mass Communications degree from Boise state University and absolutely no experience in the nonprofit sector whatsoever, he launched Boise Bicycle Project. Nine years later, the project has been voted Boise's Best Local Nonprofit six times, and has recycled more than 10,000 bicycles back onto the streets of Boise.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx