FEATURED STORY
South Dakota Tourism Routes Get Protected Bike Lane Upgrades
Mount Rushmore corridor becomes showcase for separated infrastructure.
READ FULL STORY — REF. /news/oak-street-victory/FIELD OFFICE DOSSIER · DOCKET NO. AAR-SD-0041
SOUTH DAKOTA FIELD OFFICE
143 Locals Against Road Bikers · Pierre Station
QUARTERLY FIGURES · DOCKET NO. AAR-SD-0041
SOUTH DAKOTA CHAPTER IMPACT
QUARTERLY FIGURES
143MEMBERS
1LOCAL CHAPTERS
4VICTORIES
SOUTH DAKOTA CYCLING SAFETY STATISTICS
CYCLING FATALITIES (2023)54-14% FROM PREVIOUS YEAR
INFRASTRUCTURE MILES — PROTECTED121 MI
INFRASTRUCTURE MILES — UNPROTECTED236 MI
INFRASTRUCTURE MILES — PLANNED61 MI
FUNDING SECURED (2024) — FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS$17M
PUBLIC SATISFACTION INDEX: 4.0 / 5 — 64 RESPONSES ON FILE
This dossier is complete to the extent the Pierre station has filed. Figures not on record are presumed favorable.
PERSONNEL FILE · OFFICE OF FIELD OPERATIONS
CHAPTER LEADERSHIP
OFFICER IN CHARGENancy Peterson
STATIONChapter President · Pierre
ELECTRONIC MAILsouthdakota@aarbaa.com
TELEPHONE(605) 555-0198
Join the South Dakota chapter! Contact our chapter president to get involved with local advocacy efforts.
PUBLIC COMMENT RECORD · ENTERED WITHOUT OBJECTION
VOICES FROM SOUTH DAKOTA
FEATURED MEMORANDUM · RECORDS DIVISION
LATEST FROM SOUTH DAKOTA
CASE OUTCOMES · CLOSED FILES
SOUTH DAKOTA INFRASTRUCTURE VICTORIES
The Iron Mountain Road Advisory of 2024
Successfully advocated for the separation of bicycle and vehicle traffic on major thoroughfares, reducing dangerous interactions and improving traffic flow for the majority of road users.
IMPACT:
The Pierre station recorded a 27% decline in tunnel photo-stop delays on Iron Mountain Road (US-16A) and logged 2.4 cyclist-to-pigtail-bridge slowdowns per 100 crossings in the FY2025 season survey.
South Dakota Codifies the Cyclist Accountability Act
Landmark legislation requiring cyclists to carry liability insurance and register their bicycles, ensuring accountability for road incidents and providing compensation for victims.
IMPACT:
First state-level cyclist insurance requirement in the region, expected to generate $2M annually for road safety programs
Federal Grant Redirected to the US-14A Spearfish Canyon Corridor
AARBAA South Dakota helped secure a federal infrastructure grant prioritizing vehicle safety improvements and traffic flow optimization over recreational cycling projects.
IMPACT:
$15 million in funding redirected from bike lanes to critical road repairs and safety improvements
SCHEDULED PROCEEDINGS · PUBLIC NOTICE
UPCOMING EVENTS IN SOUTH DAKOTA
Pierre Station Monthly Convening
MEETINGJoin us for our monthly chapter meeting where we'll discuss ongoing advocacy efforts, review recent incidents, and plan upcoming initiatives for safer roads in South Dakota.
PROCEEDINGS CONCLUDED — MINUTES ON FILE
The Needles Highway Grade Rally
RALLYStand with us as we rally for safer roads and responsible cycling policies. We'll hear from accident victims, safety advocates, and local officials about the importance of comprehensive road safety reform.
PROCEEDINGS CONCLUDED — MINUTES ON FILE
Mickelson Trail Yield Seminar
PRESENTATIONEducational presentation on road safety statistics, dangerous cycling behaviors, and how community members can advocate for safer streets. Q&A session included.
PROCEEDINGS CONCLUDED — MINUTES ON FILE
INFRASTRUCTURE CASE FILES · OPEN MATTERS
INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES WE'RE ADDRESSING
The Needles Eye Tunnel Contraflow Hazard, Custer County
The current bike lane configuration creates blind spots for turning vehicles and encourages cyclists to ride against traffic, leading to numerous near-misses and accidents.
- LOCATION
- Main Street, Pierre
- AFFECTED AREAS
- Pierre
- PROPOSED SOLUTION
- Redesign the street to separate bicycle and vehicle traffic completely, with physical barriers and clear sight lines at all intersections.
- LAST UPDATED
- NOVEMBER 3, 2025
Unlicensed E-Bikes on the George S. Mickelson Trail
Electric bicycles reaching speeds of 30+ mph are using pedestrian paths in state parks, creating dangerous conditions for families and hikers.
- LOCATION
- South Dakota State Parks
- AFFECTED AREAS
- Pierre, Statewide
- PROPOSED SOLUTION
- Implement speed limits, require licensing for e-bikes, and create separate trails for motorized bicycles.
- LAST UPDATED
- NOVEMBER 3, 2025
PUBLIC COUNTER · RESPONSES PREPARED IN ADVANCE
FREQUENTLY FILED INQUIRIES
How can I join AARBAA South Dakota?
Joining AARBAA South Dakota is easy! Simply contact our chapter president through the contact information provided on this page, or fill out our membership form. We have 1 chapter across the state with 143 active members. New members are always welcome to join our fight for safer roads.
What does AARBAA do in South Dakota?
AARBAA South Dakota files comment on cycling conduct along Iron Mountain Road (US-16A), the Needles Highway (SD-87), US-14A through Spearfish Canyon, and the George S. Mickelson Trail, and petitions the South Dakota Department of Transportation for enforcement review. Our Pierre station maintains the FY2025 season survey and forwards findings to officials in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Pierre.
How many members does the South Dakota chapter have?
Our South Dakota chapter currently has 143 dedicated members across 1 local chapter. We're one of the active state chapters in the national AARBAA network, and our membership continues to grow as more South Dakota residents recognize the need for safer roads and accountability in cycling infrastructure planning.
What are the main road safety challenges in South Dakota?
South Dakota's caseload concentrates on the pigtail bridges of Iron Mountain Road, the Needles Eye tunnel on the Needles Highway, and US-14A through Spearfish Canyon, where the Pierre station logged 2.4 cyclist-to-pigtail-bridge slowdowns per 100 crossings in the FY2025 season survey. Winter grade conditions on the Mickelson Trail remain under review.
What victories has AARBAA South Dakota achieved?
Our closed files include the Iron Mountain Road Advisory of 2024 and the Spearfish Canyon sightline review on US-14A. Both are held under Records Retention Schedule 7 and available at the public counter on Form AAR-101.
When and where does the South Dakota chapter meet?
The South Dakota chapter holds regular meetings on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM. Meeting locations rotate between our 1 chapter location to ensure all members can participate. Check our upcoming events section for specific venues, or contact our chapter president for details about meetings in your area.
PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORDS · EVIDENCE LOCKER
SOUTH DAKOTA CHAPTER GALLERY
PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORDSPENDING DECLASSIFICATIONREF: AAR-SD-0041
PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORDSPENDING DECLASSIFICATIONREF: AAR-SD-0041
PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORDSPENDING DECLASSIFICATIONREF: AAR-SD-0041
PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORDSPENDING DECLASSIFICATIONREF: AAR-SD-0041
PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORDSPENDING DECLASSIFICATIONREF: AAR-SD-0041
FILE A REQUEST · FORM AAR-101
JOIN AARBAA SOUTH DAKOTA
Ready to make a difference in South Dakota? Fill out the form below to connect with your local chapter and start advocating for safer roads today!
FORM AAR-101 — REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE
REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE
REV. 07/2026 · APPROVED FOR PUBLIC USE · FILE IN DUPLICATE
CROSS-REFERENCES · RECORDS RETENTION SCHEDULE 7
PUBLIC COMMENT RECORD · 2 ENTRIES ON FILE
CASE NO. AAR-C-0001
Delbert K. — Rapid City
CASE NO. AAR-C-0002
Irene F. — Pierre