1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to transportation; repealing authorization for motorcyclists to split or filter
1.3 lanes; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 169.223, subdivision 4; 169.974,
1.4 subdivision 5; Laws 2024, chapter 127, article 1, section 4, subdivision 3; repealing
1.5 Laws 2024, chapter 127, article 3, section 122.
1.6BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.7 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.223, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
1.8 Subd. 4.Headlight requirement.The provisions of section 169.974, subdivision 5,
1.9paragraph (k) (i), apply to motorized bicycles that are equipped with headlights. A new
1.10motorized bicycle sold or offered for sale in Minnesota must be equipped with a headlight.
1.11 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
1.12 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.974, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
1.13 Subd. 5.Driving rules.(a) An operator of a motorcycle must ride only upon a permanent
1.14and regular seat which is attached to the vehicle for that purpose. No other person may ride
1.15on a motorcycle, except that passengers may ride (1) upon a permanent and regular operator's
1.16seat if designed for two persons, (2) upon additional seats attached to or in the vehicle, or
1.17(3) in a sidecar attached to the vehicle. The operator of a motorcycle is prohibited from
1.18carrying passengers in a number in excess of the designed capacity of the motorcycle or
1.19sidecar attached to it. A passenger is prohibited from being carried in a position that interferes
1.20with the safe operation of the motorcycle or the view of the operator.
1.21 (b) No person may ride upon a motorcycle as a passenger unless the person can reach
1.22the footrests or floorboards with both feet.
1Sec. 2.
25-02197 as introduced01/21/25 REVISOR KRB/LJ
SENATE
STATE OF MINNESOTA
S.F. No. 910NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
(SENATE AUTHORS: BOLDON, McEwen and Maye Quade)
OFFICIAL STATUSD-PGDATE
Introduction and first reading02/03/2025
Referred to Transportation 2.1 (c) Except for passengers of sidecars, drivers and passengers of three-wheeled
2.2motorcycles, and persons in an autocycle, no person may operate or ride upon a motorcycle
2.3except while sitting astride the seat, facing forward, with one leg on either side of the
2.4motorcycle.
2.5 (d) No person may operate a motorcycle while carrying animals, packages, bundles, or
2.6other cargo that prevent the person from keeping both hands on the handlebars.
2.7 (e) No person may operate a motorcycle between lanes of moving or stationary vehicles
2.8headed in the same direction, nor may any person drive a motorcycle abreast of or overtake
2.9or pass another vehicle within the same traffic lane. Motorcycles may, with the consent of
2.10both drivers, be operated not more than two abreast in a single traffic lane if the vehicles
2.11fit safely within the designated space of the lane.
2.12 (f) Except under the conditions specified in paragraph (g), no person may operate a
2.13motorcycle:
2.14 (1) between lanes of moving or stationary vehicles headed in the same direction of travel;
2.15 (2) abreast of moving or stationary vehicles within the same traffic lane; or
2.16 (3) to overtake or pass another vehicle within the same traffic lane.
2.17 (g) A person may operate a motorcycle and overtake and pass another vehicle in the
2.18same direction of travel and within the same traffic lane if the motorcycle is operated:
2.19 (1) at not more than 25 miles per hour; and
2.20 (2) no more than 15 miles per hour over the speed of traffic in the relevant traffic lanes.
2.21 (h) (f) Motor vehicles including motorcycles are entitled to the full use of a traffic lane
2.22and no motor vehicle may be driven or operated in a manner so as to deprive a motorcycle
2.23of the full use of a traffic lane.
2.24 (i) (g) A person operating a motorcycle upon a roadway must be granted the rights and
2.25is subject to the duties applicable to a motor vehicle as provided by law, except as to those
2.26provisions which by their nature can have no application.
2.27 (j) Paragraphs (h) Paragraph (e) and (f) of this subdivision do does not apply to police
2.28officers in the performance of their official duties.
2.29 (k) (i) No person may operate a motorcycle on a street or highway unless the headlight
2.30or headlights are lighted at all times the motorcycle is so operated.
2.31 (l) (j) A person parking a motorcycle on the roadway of a street or highway must:
2Sec. 2.
25-02197 as introduced01/21/25 REVISOR KRB/LJ 3.1 (1) if parking in a marked parking space, park the motorcycle completely within the
3.2marked space; and
3.3 (2) park the motorcycle in such a way that the front of the motorcycle is pointed or
3.4angled toward the nearest lane of traffic to the extent practicable and necessary to allow the
3.5operator to (i) view any traffic in both directions of the street or highway without having
3.6to move the motorcycle into a lane of traffic and without losing balance or control of the
3.7motorcycle, and (ii) ride the motorcycle forward and directly into a lane of traffic when the
3.8lane is sufficiently clear of traffic.
3.9 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
3.10 Sec. 3. Laws 2024, chapter 127, article 1, section 4, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
3.11 1,400,000
1,200,000-0-3.12Subd. 3.Traffic Safety
3.13Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
3.14299A.705, regarding the use of funds from
3.15this account, $1,200,000 in fiscal year 2025
3.16is from the driver and vehicle services
3.17operating account in the special revenue fund
3.18for the Lights On grant program under
3.19Minnesota Statutes, section 169.515. The
3.20commissioner must contract with the Lights
3.21On! microgrant program to administer and
3.22operate the grant program. Notwithstanding
3.23Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.98,
3.24subdivision 14, the commissioner may use up
3.25to two percent of this appropriation for
3.26administrative costs. This is a onetime
3.27appropriation and is available until June 30,
3.282026.
3.29$200,000 in fiscal year 2025 is from the
3.30motorcycle safety account in the special
3.31revenue fund for the public education
3.32campaign on motorcycle operation under
3.33article 3, section 122. This is a onetime
3.34appropriation.
3Sec. 3.
25-02197 as introduced01/21/25 REVISOR KRB/LJ 4.1 Sec. 4. REPEALER.
4.2 Laws 2024, chapter 127, article 3, section 122, is repealed.
4Sec. 4.
25-02197 as introduced01/21/25 REVISOR KRB/LJ Laws 2024, chapter 127, article 3, section 122
Sec. 122. PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN; MOTORCYCLE OPERATIONS.
The commissioner of public safety must implement a statewide public education campaign to
alert drivers and the public on how motorcycles may safely overtake and pass a vehicle within the
same lane or between parallel lanes. The information must be consistent with the requirements of
Minnesota Statutes, section 169.974, subdivision 5.
1R
APPENDIX
Repealed Minnesota Session Laws: 25-02197