The Treasure Valley is characterized by its friendly and warm atmosphere, where manners, mutual
respect, and kindness are deeply embedded in the community’s culture. This welcoming nature
is expressed through everyday interactions like smiles, eye contact, holding doors, and friendly
conversations, reinforcing the Valley’s reputation as being hospitable and congenial.
With growth comes a shared responsibility to preserve the environment by keeping cities clean,
protecting wildlife, and safeguarding natural habitats to sustain Idaho’s quality of life.
TALK LIKE A LOCAL
COMMUNITY OF COURTESY
TATER KINGS
Idaho isn’t just famous for potatoes; it’s the U.S. champion, producing a whopping one-third of the
nation’s spuds. Talk about being a potato powerhouse!
Locals lovingly correct the common mispronunciation “BOY-zee” to “BOY-see,” reflecting pride in Boise,
the City of Trees. This nickname, from the French word for “wooded,” highlights the area’s lush, tree-lined
beauty.
Pronunciations can be tricky: Ustick Road is “You-stick,” Chinden Boulevard is “Chin-din” (from “Chinese
garden,” honoring early settlers), and Kuna is pronounced “Q-na.”
ALL ABOUT ROUNDABOUTS
In Boise’s roundabouts, yield to trafÏc already in
the circle. When entering, choose the correct lane
early: right lane for right turns or straight ahead,
left lane for left turns or U-turns. The essentials:
Lane Choice: Select your lane before entering
and stick to it throughout.
Yield: Yield to both pedestrians and oncoming
trafÏc when entering and exiting the roundabout.
Don’t stop once inside; incoming trafÏc should
yield to you.
Caution and Speed: Slow down for safety,
staying alert for pedestrians, unexpected lane
changes, and large or emergency vehicles.
ZIPPERING 101: A QUICK OVERVIEW
The zipper merge, used correctly, counters
the issues of early merging at “lane closed
ahead” signs, which can cause trafÏc jams and
frustration. Using both lanes fully until the
merge point, then alternating turns to merge,
much like a zipper’s teeth. This technique
balances lane speeds, cuts trafÏc backup by up
to 40%, and smooths out congestion at freeway
interchanges, ensuring a fair and efÏcient flow
for all lanes.
• Use both lanes until the merge point.
• Alternate turns merging for fairness and
efÏciency.
Driving culture is marked by courtesy and cooperation, evident by
smooth merging and efÏcient roundabout use.
A car is recommended for Boise residents, especially outside the city,
as Valley Regional Transit’s public transport may not cover all travel
needs, especially outside of Boise city limits.
TRANSIT
TIPS