Brookings Parking Ban

In 2010, Brookings introduced a share the road, or "sharrow" program allowing bicyclists to ride on the streets alongside cars.

The town posted signs and painted stencils on the roads to make drivers more aware of bicyclists.

South Dakota State University's Student's Association felt this wasn't very safe.

State and Local Government Chairperson Jameson Berreth and other SA members brought a proposal to Brookings City Council.

"We came back said this, we feel, wasn't very effective because the bikers in these bike lane have to share with parked cars, other vehicles. There's not like a a line down to promote that safety and effectiveness of bike lanes," Berreth said.

The proposed parking ban areas were 11th Street from Medary Avenue to 3rd Avenue, 8th Street from 16th Avenue to 20th Avenue, 20th Avenue from 6th Street to 8th Street as well as 8th Street from Western Avenue to Main Avenue.

Berreth says there was little opposition to the proposal.

"There was minimal opposition to this, mainly residents who don't want to lose parking in front of their houses. We were able to compromise in the City Council meeting. Another stretch proposed was along the 8th Street, not only to Main, but all the way to Western and a lot the people opposed to it lived along that Main to Western stretch and we felt that wasn't a high priority to us. And if it would have some troubles, we understood where the residents were coming from and so they can keep their parking," Berreth said.





A few days after I finished this story, the city put up no parking signs in the areas that now banned parking. It seemed like they put them up overnight because I witnessed a police officer issuing tickets to those with cars parked in front of Hansen Hall just a few days later.

During this story I learned patience when it came to getting the best possible shots and information. The only thing I would have wanted to change for this story is to get reactions from students, but I'm glad I was able to fit all of the information on the background of the ban into this story.