Mobility scooters in South Dakota: sidewalks, winters, range

Before buying a mobility scooter, many South Dakotans want to know where they are allowed to ride it: on the sidewalk, in the street, across the highway at the edge of town. It is a fair question, and the honest answer starts with a gap. South Dakota's traffic code does not define a mobility scooter or a motorized wheelchair at all.

That does not leave you without guidance. The pedestrian and sidewalk sections of the code are clear about what they cover, and knowing their exact words helps you see where the open questions sit and who can settle them for your town.

How the traffic code reads for scooter riders

The starting definitions are in SDCL 32-14-1. A "Vehicle" is "a device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a public highway, except devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks," and a "Motor vehicle" is "a vehicle that is self-propelled." Those words were not written with mobility devices in mind, and the code nowhere says how they apply to one.

The pedestrian chapter has its own definition. Under SDCL 32-27-1.1, a pedestrian "means any person moving or traveling on foot, including any person wearing roller skates, riding on a skateboard, or riding on an electric personal assistive device." That last term is not a mobility scooter. SDCL 32-26-21.2 defines it as "a self-balancing two non-tandem wheeled device, designed to transport only one person," with a top speed limited to fifteen miles per hour or less.

The sidewalk rule follows the same pattern. SDCL 32-26-21.1 says: "No person may drive any vehicle other than a bicycle, motorized foot scooter, or an electric personal assistive device upon a sidewalk or sidewalk area except upon a permanent or duly authorized temporary driveway." It adds that a municipality "may restrict" those three from its sidewalks. Mobility scooters are not named either way.

For people traveling as pedestrians, the code gives crosswalk protection. SDCL 32-27-1 requires drivers in a business or residence district to "yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the highway within any clearly marked crosswalk," while warning that no pedestrian "may suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety" into the path of a close vehicle. Where there is no sidewalk, SDCL 32-27-5 tells pedestrians to use "the left side of the roadway or its shoulder facing traffic." And under SDCL 32-27-7, a driver approaching a pedestrian guided by a guide dog or carrying a raised white cane "shall bring his vehicle to a full stop."

Because no statute says whether a scooter rider counts as a pedestrian, we cannot tell you that these protections apply to you. Your city's police department or city attorney can tell you how sidewalk riding is treated locally, and we suggest asking before you plan a daily route along a busy street.

Choosing a scooter for South Dakota distances

If your errands cover long distances, or the route crosses gravel, broken pavement or a block without a curb cut, range and ground clearance deserve as much attention as the seat.

• Pride Pursuit 2: Pride's scooter for outdoor ground, rated by Pride for up to 40 miles per charge in its dual lithium configuration. It carries up to 400 lbs on 13 in. pneumatic tires with front and rear suspension and 3.8 in. of clearance at the axle.
• Golden Eagle All-Terrain: an off-road style 4-wheel scooter with up to 34 miles on its 75 AH batteries, a 500 lb capacity and full LED lighting with brake light and turn signals, which helps on short winter days.
• Pride Victory 10 4-wheel: a steady 4-wheel scooter for town errands and the dinner table, with a seat that slides and swivels, up to 15.5 miles per charge and a 45.5 in. turning radius.
• Pride Go Go Super Portable: for someone who mostly rides at the far end of a car trip. It folds to a 12-inch depth without removing the seat and weighs 49.9 lbs with its battery, with up to 10 miles at 220 lbs.

Range figures are the makers' own, measured at stated rider weights, and real trips vary. The numbers above come from each product's Faith Mobility page.

What South Dakota weather means for riding

NOAA's South Dakota climate summary gives the range a rider has to plan for. Average January temperatures run from "less than 10°–15°F in the northeast to more than 25°F in the southwest," while July averages reach "more than 75°F in the south-central region," and "Temperatures of 100°F or more occur nearly every year." The summary also says the state is exposed to "bitterly cold arctic air masses in winter."

In practice, that means a scooter here has two seasons of use to plan around. In deep cold, store and charge the scooter indoors, keep trips shorter than the rated range, and avoid unplowed sidewalks where small wheels can lose grip. On a summer afternoon near 100°F, ride early, carry water and keep the seat out of the sun when parked. Severe thunderstorms are part of the picture too; the summary notes that the national record hailstone fell at Vivian in July 2010.

DakotaLink: borrow, trade or finance

DakotaLink is South Dakota's assistive technology program, listed by the AT3 Center for device loans, demonstrations, device reuse and financial loans. Its FAQ says devices in stock "may be borrowed for up to two weeks to help decide if a device is right for you," and for used equipment DakotaLink "offers an exchange & reutilization program" (equipment page). The DakotaLink AT Fund includes "wheelchairs, electric scooters" among items it finances, with loans of $500 or more at 5 percent.

Shipping a scooter to South Dakota

A scooter ships straight to your door. Faith Mobility ships to the lower 48 states and DC, with free shipping on orders over $500 ($15 under $500), and we cover the sales tax on every order. Most products are processed in 2-5 business days; some brands differ. See shipping to South Dakota, or start with the scooter fit check.

Questions about mobility scooters in South Dakota

Can I ride a mobility scooter on the sidewalk in South Dakota?

State law does not answer this directly. SDCL 32-26-21.1 bars vehicles from sidewalks other than bicycles, motorized foot scooters and electric personal assistive devices, and mobility scooters are not named. No statute defines a mobility scooter, so we cannot confirm how the rule applies. Your city police department or city attorney can tell you how it is handled locally.

Is a mobility scooter rider a pedestrian under South Dakota law?

We could not confirm that. SDCL 32-27-1.1 defines a pedestrian as a person traveling on foot, including people on roller skates, skateboards or electric personal assistive devices, which SDCL 32-26-21.2 describes as self-balancing two-wheeled devices. Mobility scooters and motorized wheelchairs are not mentioned anywhere in that definition.

Which scooter goes farthest on a charge for South Dakota trips?

Among the models on this page, Pride rates the Pursuit 2 for up to 40 miles per charge in its dual lithium configuration, and Golden lists up to 34 miles for the Eagle All-Terrain on 75 AH batteries. Those are maker figures at stated conditions. Cold weather, hills and rider weight can shorten any trip, so plan with a margin.

Can I try a scooter or find a used one through DakotaLink?

DakotaLink lends devices in stock for up to two weeks and runs demonstration centers in Aberdeen, Brookings, Rapid City and Sioux Falls. It also offers an exchange and reutilization program for used equipment, and its AT Fund lists electric scooters among the items it finances, with loans of $500 or more at a 5 percent interest rate.

See every model in our mobility scooter collection, try the scooter fit check, or take the full assessment for a wider look at your needs. Questions? Email us at info@faithmobility.com.

Sources

• SDCL 32-14-1, definitions (vehicle, motor vehicle)
• SDCL 32-27-1.1, pedestrian defined
• SDCL 32-26-21.2, electric personal assistive device
• SDCL 32-26-21.1, vehicles on sidewalks
• SDCL 32-27-1, crosswalk right-of-way
• SDCL 32-27-5, pedestrians where no sidewalk
• SDCL 32-27-7, guide dogs and white canes
• NOAA NCEI State Climate Summaries: South Dakota
• Faith Mobility: Pride Pursuit 2
• Faith Mobility: Golden Eagle All-Terrain
• Faith Mobility: Pride Victory 10 4-wheel
• Faith Mobility: Pride Go Go Super Portable
• AT3 Center: South Dakota (DakotaLink)
• DakotaLink: FAQ
• DakotaLink: equipment and software
• DakotaLink AT Fund