SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Roads and highways are not just for cars and trucks anymore and motorists can anticipate more bicyclist friendly routes.
But Minnehaha County Highway Superintendent D-J Buthe says not every road can be biker friendly.
He says the highway department's first goal is to spend taxpayer's dollars in the best way possible. He says that sometimes means certain routes won't be designated biker friendly especially if they're not connecting points between different population centers.
Buthe says the county studies roadways for potential biker friendly routes every five years.
Minnehaha County Commissioner Gerald Beninga, a member of the South Eastern Council of Governments, says SECOG will study the biker friendly issue next year. Beninga says now biker friendly amendment to highway contracts can sometimes be added after approval of the original proposal.
Beninga hopes SECOG will establish a definate plan for addressing biker friendly roads in the future, instead of an afterthought to a contract.
Reconstruction of Minneahaha County Highway 149, between Hartford and Minnehaha County Highway 122, will include a bike lane.