South Dakota Bicycle Laws

32-20B-1. Identifying Number Required on Bicycle Sold at Retail

Violation as misdemeanor. A person engaged in the business of selling bicycles at retail may not sell any bicycle unless the bicycle has an identifying number permanently stamped or cast on its frame. A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor.

32-20B-2. Operation on Sidewalk or Crosswalk - Rights of Bicyclist - Duty to Stop

A person operating a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk, or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk, shall have all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances, except as provided in section 32-20B-3, and except that bicyclists must stop before entering a crosswalk or highway from a sidewalk or sidewalk area.

32-20B-3. Operation on Sidewalk or Crosswalk - Duty to Yield Right-of-Way to Pedestrian

Violation as misdemeanor. A person operating a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk, or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk, shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing a pedestrian. A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor.

32-20B-4. Parking on Sidewalk

Violation as petty offense. A person may park a bicycle on a sidewalk unless prohibited or restricted by an official traffic control device or ordinance. The parked bicycle may not impede the normal and reasonable movement of pedestrian or other traffic. A violation of this section is a petty offense.

32-20B-5. Operation on Roadway - Riding Close to Right-Hand Curb Required

Violation as misdemeanor. Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. However, a person operating a bicycle may move from the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway to overtake and pass another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction, to prepare for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or roadway or to avoid conditions including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge. For purposes of this section, a substandard width lane is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane. A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor.

32-20B-6. Turning, Stopping, Starting, Slowing-Signals & Lookout-Overtaking on the Right

Violation as misdemeanor. A person operating a bicycle shall give a continuous signal of intention to turn right or left during the last one hundred feet traveled by the bicycle before turning. The signal shall also be given while the bicycle is stopped waiting to turn. A signal by hand and arm need only be given intermittently if the hand is needed in the control operation of the bicycle. No driver of a bicycle may overtake another vehicle on the right if the overtaken vehicle is signaling to make a right turn. Except as provided in this section, a person operating a bicycle shall comply with the provisions of sections 32-26-22 and 32-26-22.1. A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor.

32-20B-7. Racing in Approved Event Authorized - Approval of Transportation Commission or Local Authorities

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 32-25-23, a person may race a bicycle on a highway when competing in a racing event which has been approved by the transportation commission or local authorities on a highway under their jurisdictions. Approval of a bicycle highway racing event shall be granted only under conditions which assure reasonable safety for all race participants, spectators, and other highway users, and which prevent unreasonable interference with traffic flow which would seriously inconvenience other highway users. Tests of endurance are not considered bicycle racing.

32-20B-8. Racing - Exemption from Traffic Laws

The transportation commission or local authorities may exempt participants in an approved bicycle highway racing event on a highway under their jurisdiction from compliance with any traffic laws otherwise applicable thereto, provided that traffic control is adequate to assure the safety of all highway users.