08/04/2026
86TH ANNUAL STURGIS MOTORCYCLE RALLY!
BICYCLES and E-BIKES:
Sturgis Rally Week is upon us! The Rally officially begins on August 7th. However, traffic is beginning to increase and will increase dramatically in the coming days. For our local businesses, this is a great thing! With that said, some of the businesses downtown, along W. Main Street, will have additional tables and seating areas out on the sidewalk, and foot traffic and vehicle/motorcycle traffic will increase dramatically in the area! CSO Lutz is going to be doing foot patrol in the 3 downtown blocks in an effort to keep pedestrians safe on the sidewalks.
For kids and adults riding bicycles on the sidewalks along W. Main Street from the Courthouse to Railway (basically to the railroad tracks) , please dismount from your bicycle and walk it through the area. This is only for the 3 blocks commonly known as the downtown area.
Skateboards and other "toy vehicles," including rollerskates and scooters are probihibited for use on the sidewalks AND roadways in the downtown area by City Ordinance.
I understand we want our kids to be able to ride their bicycles on the sidwalk as it is safer for the younger ones than riding on the street. However, we have recieved quite a few complaints from businesses and pedestrians about bicylces, and especially e-bike riders, traveling way too faston the sidewalks and almost striking, or in some cases, actually striking pedestrians.
Parents: please talk to your kids about bicycle safety and being respectful to pedestrains on the sidewalk.
Please see the below Newcastle City Ordinances regarding bicycles and toy vehicles:
Sec. 16-14. - Riding in such manner as to interfere with pedestrians.
No person shall ride or propel any bicycle upon any public street or highway in such manner as to interfere with any pedestrian thereon
Sec. 16-15. - Riding upon sidewalk or roadway.
No person shall ride or propel a bicycle upon any sidewalk, except to cross such sidewalk at crosswalks, nor upon the roadway of any street or highway, except in a careful and prudent manner and unless such person shall be capable of efficient control and operation of such bicycle.
Sec. 16-15.1. - Use of toy vehicles on streets and sidewalks.
It shall be unlawful for any person to ride upon or use as a means of transportation any skateboard, roller skates, or similar devices upon the following streets and sidewalks of this city:
(a) Main Street, between Railway Avenue and Summit Avenue.
(b) The sidewalks parallel with and adjacent to Main Street, between Railway Avenue and Summit Avenue.
