Speaking Spokes as Sioux Falls Unveils Cycling Plan with Comments Welcome
Bicycle riders will definitely want to have a say in how Sioux Falls looks to future cycling needs. A plan has been devised and the time to speak up is at hand.
A draft of the new 2015 Sioux Falls Bicycle Plan is now available for public review. A public open house is scheduled on Tuesday May 12th from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at the Downtown Main Library (200 North Dakota Avenue). The Sioux Falls Bicycle Committee has spent the past 18 months working on this updated Bicycle Plan with a vision to “Make Sioux Falls a place where people want to ride their bicycle in all areas of the city”.
It would be worth your time to look through the plan on your own. However in the Cliff’s notes edition, there is a hierarchy of goals deemed by the committee.
At the forefront are the Very High Priority Goals which are to 1) Develop a bicycle public education campaign to "Share the Road". 2) Develop a complete bicycle network that is both comfortable and safe for all level of bicyclists through the addition of new on-street and trail facilities as identified in the Bicycle Plan. 3) Adopt "complete street" ordinances and policies and design standards to accommodate all forms of transportation within each street right-of-way for all roadway or development projects. 4) Expand the bicycle trail so that any origin or destination in the city is located no more than one-mile from the trail.
Next on the list are the High Priority Goals starting with 1) Add a line-item in the city budget for on-street bicycle facilities and educational programs that will adequately fund plan strategies. 2) Add bicycle safety and Bike 101 programs. 3) Improve the condition of on-street bicycle routes and trails including enhanced street sweeping and pavement rehabilitation. 4) Complete bicycle projects by leveraging private resources with public dollars to maximize funding.
The following entries are Moderate Priority Goals like 1) Work towards gold-level Bicycle Friendly Status with the League of American Bicyclists. 2) Add one position at the City for a new full time bicycle and pedestrian coordinator. 3) Study the feasibility of a Bike Share program.
You are also encouraged to e-mail your questions or comments about the draft Bicycle Plan to strebilcock@siouxfalls.org. Once public comments are incorporated into the plan, the Sioux Falls City Council will consider adoption of the plan.
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