You probably haven't been to North Idaho - I live just south of Sandpoint. Sure you can get around town with a bike but the reason you live there is to get into the mountains via back roads (dirt, gravel) that have little up keep, and to be away from it all. Ski resort is 20 minutes up the mountain.

Moreover, the nearest city (45k pop) is 45 minutes south and the nearest major airport is 1.5 hours away. You will need a car, unless you are comfortable just bumming it in town all the time.

Northern Idaho is closer to small towns in Iceland.