They used to be impossible to miss with their flashing lights, bumping music and groups of riders pedaling through downtown Boise. But lately, bike bars have been noticeably quieter, fewer and almost absent altogether from the city’s downtown scene.
Since first appearing in 2010, bike bars have become a popular and entertaining way to see in and around downtown — offering group rides between bars with music and drinks onboard. But their future is now uncertain following city-imposed restrictions levied in 2021 that business owners say is still affecting their operations today.
The regulations, introduced in response to resident complaints and safety concerns, include a nightly curfew, weekday rush hour restrictions, limited routes within downtown, volume restrictions and most significantly — a full ban of on-board alcohol…