Opinion Article written by Art Holden, FAB Communication Director
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.
Bicycle-sensing traffic lights help in crossing 10th and 11th Street
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. FAB's 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.
In-lane green sharrows at traffic circle intersection of Prairie Ave and 9th Street.
Expanding the Network: Connecting New Interstate Tunnels
It’s an exciting time for active transportation in Sioux Falls. Underpasses are currently under construction at the intersections of I-229 & Cliff Avenue and I-229 & Minnesota Avenue. Once complete, these new bicycle and pedestrian tunnels will allow cyclists to safely bypass two of the city's most congested and dangerous arterial intersections.
New bicycle and pedestrian trail connection tunnel being installed under I-229 at the Cliff Ave interchange.
These new underpasses present a crucial opportunity: by connecting them directly to neighborhood routes, we can create seamless north-south corridors linking the River Greenway Trail directly to downtown.
To maximize the impact of these tunnels, I would like to see the City of Sioux Falls actively exploring the feasibility of another Bicycle Boulevard. By applying the same proven design choices used on the 15th Street route, a new north-south boulevard could incorporate:
Mini Traffic Circles:
Replacing traditional stop signs at key neighborhood intersections to keep traffic moving at safe, steady speeds.
Active Crossing Signals:
Installing rider-activated high-intensity flashing beacons at busy thoroughfares, such as 26th Street.
Traffic Calming Measures: Utilizing bump-outs, curb extensions, and clear lane markings as low-cost ways to make residential streets safer for everyone.
Demonstrating the Demand
City leaders are watching closely. The willingness of the city to invest in future bicycle boulevards depends heavily on two factors: the continued success and traffic numbers on 15th Street, and how actively community members utilize the new I-229 tunnels once opened.
By riding these routes, advocating for safer streets, and showing strong community support, we can demonstrate that investment in connected, low-stress cycling infrastructure yields real results for Sioux Falls.
What do my fellow riders think? Do you have thoughts on which corridor in Sioux Falls should become our next low-stress bike connection? FAB would love to hear your input at our upcoming rides or via email at info@fallsareabicyclists.org!
