AARP Hearing Center
Residents of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, love to get outside for a walk or bike ride, and they see an opportunity to improve pedestrian safety, according to a recent AARP survey of adults age 40-plus.
About three in four Sioux Falls residents walk or bike, while 93% also drive themselves for transportation. Given the high frequency of walking and biking, it is not surprising that 85% of residents support strengthening the Complete Streets ordinance to ensure streets serve all users regardless of age, ability or mode of transportation. The issue will be an important one in the spring 2026 mayoral election, 91% of Sioux Falls residents say.
Staying safe with Complete Streets
Walkers and bicyclists in Sioux Falls believe the sidewalks, crosswalks and street lighting are adequate, and they appreciate the new LED lighting and guarded bike lanes. That said, they still want local government to make certain the flow of pedestrian traffic is considered going forward. More specifically, they favor local initiatives that support making the streets of Sioux Falls more accessible and safe for all pedestrians.
Strengthening the city’s Complete Streets ordinance would ensure greater consistency in new projects, so residents who use the pedestrian pathways to exercise, run errands or visit friends can do so without concern.
Hearing resident preferences
While Sioux Falls residents show awareness of improvements that have already been adopted, not everyone feels that they have been heard or that they have adequate opportunities to engage. Nearly 4 in 10 say they are not informed of community engagement opportunities. Just 18% say they are always properly informed and given adequate time to participate in community engagement.
Sioux Falls residents identified pedestrian safety as one of the top issues in the upcoming mayoral race. A majority (66%) said pedestrian safety is very important and another 25% say it is somewhat important.
More so than simply seeing and hearing candidates discuss the issue, they want candidates and government to listen. Listening to this older population is critical to ensuring city plans and policies continue to address the needs of its aging population.
Methodology
AARP South Dakota conducted a survey from October 1 to 19, 2025, among 250 adults age 40 and older living in Sioux Falls and surrounding area. The goal was to better understand residents’ thoughts and needs as they relate to the safety and usability of the streets in Sioux Falls. The findings will be used to support policy change and will be released publicly ahead of mayoral forums in spring 2026.
For more information, please contact Joanne Binette at jbinette@aarp.org. For media inquiries, contact External Relations at media@aarp.org.
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