STURGIS, S.D. — The 86th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is off to a strong start, with law enforcement activity and crowds tracking closely with last year, according to Sturgis Police Chief Geody VanDewater.

VanDewater said Monday that early Rally statistics are comparable to 2025, when Sturgis celebrated the event’s 85th anniversary. While officials initially thought the later August dates could affect attendance, he said early indications point to another busy year. “We’re sitting on par for last year, which is good.”

VanDewater said he has also spoken with local businesses and vendors who are reporting activity similar to last year. Crowds typically fluctuate during Rally week, he said, with some regional visitors heading home for work during the week before returning for the final weekend.

One issue getting the attention of Sturgis police this year is underage drinking. VanDewater said officers are encountering juveniles attempting to use fake identification to enter bars, while security personnel at local establishments have been helping identify suspected violations and turn those individuals over to police. “If you’re not 21, we want to encourage you, probably not the place to be sitting in a bar because it’s going to cause you a little night in the jail, especially if you’re over 18,” VanDewater said.

Police are also urging motorcyclists to ride within their abilities and remain alert to other riders. VanDewater said law enforcement has seen serious crashes involving riders who may not have the experience necessary for some conditions encountered during the Rally.

VanDewater said riders need to obey traffic laws while remaining proactive and aware of what is happening around them. Riders should watch for motorcycles drifting toward the center line or leaning too far into curves, he said, and anticipate mistakes made by others. “Hands up, eyes up, making sure you’re watching ahead of you, watching out for the other bikers because some of these other bikers aren’t paying attention,” VanDewater said.

Impaired driving continues to be another concern. VanDewater estimated the Sturgis Police Department has been handling roughly one to five DUI cases per night during the Rally. Those numbers do not include arrests made elsewhere in Meade County by the South Dakota Highway Patrol or Meade County Sheriff’s Office.

VanDewater pointed to a recent serious crash on Sherman Street involving an allegedly impaired driver who failed to yield and struck a motorcycle. The motorcyclists were injured and the driver was taken to jail. “We’re still seeing the drinking and driving,” VanDewater said. “If you’re going to drink, don’t drive.”

Police are also reminding Rally visitors that motorcycles and vehicles must be removed from designated areas of Main Street overnight so city crews can clean the downtown area. VanDewater said officers generally wait until about 2:15 a.m. before towing begins, giving people leaving the bars time to retrieve their motorcycles. He estimated three to five motorcycles are towed on an average night, with officers also encountering vehicles left in restricted areas.

Another concern this year is unauthorized drone activity over Sturgis. A temporary flight restriction is in effect over the Rally area, and VanDewater said authorities are working with federal partners who have equipment capable of detecting drones and identifying the location of their operators.

VanDewater said officers can then contact those operators, who may face fines depending on the circumstances and their licensing status. Some commercial drone operators may be able to obtain authorization for approved flights, but recreational operators are being urged to keep their drones grounded. “It’s not a safe place to fly the drones,” VanDewater said.

Despite the arrests, crashes and other incidents that come with hundreds of thousands of visitors converging on the Black Hills, VanDewater said the event has gotten off to a positive start. “It’s a good rally,” he said. “Hopefully everybody has a good rally and enjoys it.”