When it comes to making a city “livable”, safe biking and walking routes are one of the top things city planners talk about. Sioux Falls got to that conversation a little late, with one beautiful exception – the 20 mile loop that circles the core of town.
Not only is the bike trail good fun for everyone, it’s a pretty sweet way to get yourself in and out of downtown. With the addition of spurs into various neighborhoods, the Bike Trail is well on its way to being a viable commuter choice, weather permitting.
With the pandemic in the air, more and more Sioux Fallsians have discovered the trail. That’s awesome! But with use up by 200% over the last few years, congestion is starting to take it’s toll. And like every conflict these days, there’s a little culture war going on.
On the one hand you’ve got kids, families, and dog walkers out on the trail in greater numbers. On the other, you’ve got some serious speed-demons blazing through, on a perpetual quest to break their personal best times, shooting through the civilians with spandex-snugged swagger.
If we don’t get along, there’s going to be headline-grabbing crash before long. We don’t need a dead dog, a broken neck, or a hospitalized kid on the front page. Fortunately, plenty of folks are starting to tune in and wise up.
Check out Keloland’s reporting on the issue here.
Our take away? It’s pretty simple:
Out for a stroll or a casual leg-stretch with the fam? Keep to the right side of the trail, like you would on any road. An approaching biker might be gaining on you faster than you realize. Make it easy for them to pass by having the space readily available.
Big-time biker trying to get your sweat on and make the best of your fancy new gear? Slow up a bit when approaching other people, judge their (lack of) awareness and give a friendly announcement of your intentions to pass. You can lose a few seconds, it ain’t going to kill you.
And if you’re wearing headphones/earbuds, keep the volume down so you know what’s happening around you. Sure, it’s fun to be in the zone rocking out to your tunes, but you’re in public in a growing city. Common sense still applies.
There’s still plenty of space for everyone out there. For safety’s sake, let’s keep Midwestern Nice alive and well on the trials.