Sioux Falls - Better by Bicycle

It has been four years since Falls Area Bicyclists (FAB) appeared before the mayor and city council to advocate for dedicated street funding to create and improve bike connections. At the time, existing funding was largely directed toward adding sidewalks and sidepaths along major arterial road projects on the outskirts of the city, such as Veterans Parkway.

FAB proposed a different approach: allocate a portion of the existing bicycle and pedestrian budget to make inner-city streets safer and more comfortable for riders of all skill levels.

The completion of the 15th Street Bicycle Boulevard is the direct result of those efforts.

What is a Bicycle Boulevard?

A bicycle boulevard is a low-stress street network where biking, walking, and active transportation take priority. Through intentional street design, these routes naturally calm traffic speeds and encourage drivers to share the road while staying alert for more vulnerable street users.

A traffic circle at the corner of 9th Street and Duluth Ave.

Key Features of the Route

The 15th Street Bicycle Boulevard begins at Phillips Avenue and runs along 9th Street. It turns south at Prairie Avenue—crossing the one-way stretches of 10th and 11th Streets—before heading west along 15th Street all the way to the Great Plains Zoo.

Along the route, you’ll find key safety enhancements:

Traffic Calming: Small, neatly landscaped traffic circles encourage drivers to naturally reduce their speed.

High-Visibility Crossings: High-intensity flashing beacons and bicycle-sensing traffic lights help pedestrians and cyclists safely cross busy intersections at Grange Avenue, Kiwanis Avenue, and 10th and 11th Streets.

Enhanced Visibility & Infrastructure: Curb extensions, bump-outs, and dedicated lane markings work together to slow traffic and heighten driver awareness for cyclists, runners, and pedestrians alike.

Is It Time for Another Bicycle Boulevard?

With the 15th Street route showing just how effective community-focused street design can be, is it time to start planning for more? The city has an extensive plan for a network of streets, side-paths and trails. The 2023 bicycle plan prioritrizes hundreds of route improvements and expansions. Our goal as a cycling advocacy group is to advise the city where we believe the investment in cycling infrastructure will do the most good.

A curb side mounted button allow a bicyclist to active the flashers without leaving the roadway at the intersection of 15th Street and Grange Ave.

New Tunnels Provide an Opportunity

In-lane green sharrows at traffic circle intersection of Prairie Ave and 9th Street.

Great news for cyclists, commuters, and outdoor enthusiasts across our city! The City of Sioux Falls has officially released its proposed 2027–2031 Capital Program, and it includes a substantial commitment to expanding and upgrading our beloved recreational trail network.

Under the newly proposed five-year program, the city has earmarked $12 million dedicated entirely to trail expansion and reconstruction.

What’s Planned for Our Trails?

The capital program outlines crucial connectivity and maintenance projects that will make getting around Sioux Falls on two feet or two wheels safer and more seamless.

New Trail Extensions:

Funding is lined up to grow the network with key extensions for the Cherry Creek Trail going north from Family Park, the Big Sioux River Trail heading east toward Great Bear and Brandon, and the Eastside Trail providing a link connecting Arrowhead Park and the Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum.

Essential Reconstructions:

Upgrades and reconstruction are scheduled for the southeastern spur, the section stretching from Maple Street to the diversion dam, and the River Park bridge.

Purple - New Proposed Trail Exstensions
Green - Trail Reconstruction

Budget Approval and Advocacy

While this continued investment in our quality-of-life infrastructure is a major win, the journey isn't over yet. The capital program is a proposal that still requires formal review and final approval by the Sioux Falls City Council as part of the broader budget process rolling out through July, August, and September.

Additionally, with our newly sworn-in mayor, Christine Erickson, taking the reins, community priorities and administrative focuses may evolve in future cycles.

How Falls Area Bicyclists (FAB) is Involved

As an organization dedicated to making Sioux Falls a better, safer place to ride, FAB will be keeping a close eye on this funding as it moves through the city council approval stages. We advocate actively for robust active transportation infrastructure, and seeing multi-million dollar investments directed toward trails is a testament to what happens when a community values mobility and health.

We encourage our members, bike commuters, recreational riders, and local advocates to stay engaged, support smart investments in active transportation, and let our city leaders know how much these trails matter to our daily lives.

Together, we can ensure Sioux Falls keeps moving forward!

Sioux Falls CIP Press Release here