I get excited for new trails in Sioux Falls, as well as my bike riding crew, so we attempted to see this past weekend where the new bike trail addition goes and where it ends. It’s weird. As you can see the trail abruptly ends at a rural bridge on Bahnson only a block from Rice Avenue (FULL DOC);

It really is in the middle of nowhere. But, there seems to be a plan to extend it to Veteran’s Parkway, which is great, but with another 4 miles to go, it could take years and millions of dollars. Many folks have asked me how one mile of bike trail can cost almost $5 million. Look at the design. A bunch of private land needs to be purchased and apparently an elevated trail is needed (it is not). Oh, and a rich donor needed a tax write-off, so this was our best plan for the money? My suggestion to make this trail worthwhile and accessible quicker would be upgrading the bike lane/trail along Rice Avenue to Great Bear and extending to Veterans. This would require a small investment since a half ass bike lane already exists and just needs repaving and marking which should include a medium between Rice and the path;

I would also make this NEW extension pea rock and on natural footings which would save us millions. When the bike trail extended from Russell Avenue, around the airport to Falls Park it was pea rock for years, and was just fine. I was actually disappointed that they paved it. This is what happens when we let rich donors have a ‘VISION’. Their only ‘VISION’ is a tax write-off, and to Hell with what peeps really want, need, or even envision. I hate to say it, but the wealthy in our community and country really control what we get. And wants.

I have been thinking about throwing parties at the end of this trail under the bridge. Themes?

By l3wis

8 thoughts on “Let’s call the new bike trail expansion what it really is, a tax write-off”
  1. Themes:

    “A Bike Trail to Nowhere”

    “Ebikes and Ebeer”

    “Brandon or Bust!”

  2. “Bike trail, trail mix, and mixed drinks”

    ( and Woodstock adds: “Say, did you guys see where they are now going to do a ‘Pizza Battle,’ too?”…. “Man, I can’t wait until I can spend $75 at Minervas for a ‘large’ pepperoni”…. 🙂 )

  3. I’m donating 1 million dollars to add another 2 miles to the Partial Public
    Recreation and multi use trail.
    Since I’m paying for it , there’s a new rule.
    You know, FAB loves rules.

    New regulation…..
    No Bikes
    No E Bikes.
    E Scooters, One Wheels, Electric Skateboards only.

  4. New segment will be problems with interstate crossing approval and expense. Never suggest anything to the city. It has to be their idea, not practical, and favor contractor incompetence. Hold the thought for when they screw up and it gets added to all other blunders. Eventually, there will be enough to support drafting a new charter with less waste and manageable corruption.

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