Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/749085
WheelsOfGrace.com Volume 8 Issue 5 11 The vendors have packed up, the campgrounds are empty, and traffic is back to normal now, as the 2016 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally became just another fond memory. Regular a endees have already begun coun ng down to next year's event. Perhaps the biggest news from this year's rally was the no ceable drop in a endance from the 2015 75th anniversary party. It's es mated that a endance was down almost 40 percent from last year, with approximately half a million motorcyclists buzzing around. The South Dakota DOT reported 508,610 bikers in Sturgis, compared to 830,503 in 2015-with nearly half of those being female. The upside to having fewer riders was definitely less accidents, injuries, and fatali es. However, with fewer riders to keep tabs on, local and state law enforcement officials were able to see and cite more riding - and non- riding-offenses. Officers issued approximately 200 more traffic cita ons than they did in 2015, and made significantly more impaired driving arrests. Sturgis Motorcycle Rally 2016 – That's A Wrap The Meade County Sheriff's Office reported varied sta s cs for the week, with 34 warrants served this year, up from 28 last year, they received only 496 calls for service, down from 820 in 2015. Depu es made nearly twice as many felony arrests this year as last, at 15. According to state date, there were also 1,413 cita ons issued at this year's rally. This was up 17% from 2015. Fewer a endees also mean fewer revenue dollars. In spite of that, however, Sturgis city officials are calling this year's rally a "good" one. Half a million bikers and families got to enjoy a week of amazing music, motorcycle events, and rides. Official numbers won't be released for some me, pending the collec on of all data. The city did, however, issue 723 temporary vending permits for this year's rally. And there was certainly no shortage of things to do in Sturgis and the surrounding areas. Bartenders and servers stayed busy keeping rally-goers refreshed as they took in the mul tude of concerts, bike shows, and stunts exhibi ons. Aviators with the 28th Bomb Wing sta oned at Ellsworth Air Force Base treated observers to a B-1 flyover to cap off the 16th Annual Veterans Recogni on Ceremony. One happy couple even ed the knot at the Harley-Davidson Rally Point to commemorate the week. Sturgis Motorcycle Rally 2016 – That's A Wrap