1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to transportation; limiting the road types on which a motorcycle may split 
1.3 	or filter lanes;amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.974, subdivision 
1.4 	5.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.974, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
1.7 		Subd. 5.Driving rules. (a) An operator of a motorcycle must ride only upon a permanent 
1.8 	and regular seat which is attached to the vehicle for that purpose. No other person may ride 
1.9 	on a motorcycle, except that passengers may ride (1) upon a permanent and regular operator's 
1.10 	seat if designed for two persons, (2) upon additional seats attached to or in the vehicle, or 
1.11 	(3) in a sidecar attached to the vehicle. The operator of a motorcycle is prohibited from 
1.12 	carrying passengers in a number in excess of the designed capacity of the motorcycle or 
1.13 	sidecar attached to it. A passenger is prohibited from being carried in a position that interferes 
1.14 	with the safe operation of the motorcycle or the view of the operator.
1.15 	(b) No person may ride upon a motorcycle as a passenger unless the person can reach 
1.16 	the footrests or floorboards with both feet.
1.17 	(c) Except for passengers of sidecars, drivers and passengers of three-wheeled 
1.18 	motorcycles, and persons in an autocycle, no person may operate or ride upon a motorcycle 
1.19 	except while sitting astride the seat, facing forward, with one leg on either side of the 
1.20 	motorcycle.
1.21 	(d) No person may operate a motorcycle while carrying animals, packages, bundles, or 
1.22 	other cargo that prevent the person from keeping both hands on the handlebars.
2.1 	(e) Motorcycles may, with the consent of both drivers, be operated not more than two 
2.2 	abreast in a single traffic lane if the vehicles fit safely within the designated space of the 
2.3 	lane.
2.4 	(f) Except under the conditions specified in paragraph (g), no person may operate a 
2.5 	motorcycle:
2.6 	(1) between lanes of moving or stationary vehicles headed in the same direction of travel;
2.7 	(2) abreast of moving or stationary vehicles within the same traffic lane; or
2.8 	(3) to overtake or pass another vehicle within the same traffic lane.
2.9 	(g) A person may operate a motorcycle and overtake and pass another vehicle in the 
2.10 	same direction of travel and within the same traffic lane if the motorcycle is operated:
2.11 	(1) at not more than 25 miles per hour; and
2.12 	(2) no more than 15 miles per hour over the speed of traffic in the relevant traffic lanes.
2.13 	(h) For purposes of paragraph (g), "traffic lane" does not include:
2.14 	(1) the approach, drive-through, or exit of a roundabout;
2.15 	(2) a school zone established under section 169.14, subdivision 5a; or
2.16 	(3) an on-ramp to a freeway or expressway without an active control device where 
2.17 	moving or stationary vehicles are queued in one or more traffic lanes.
2.18 	(h) (i) Motor vehicles including motorcycles are entitled to the full use of a traffic lane 
2.19 	and no motor vehicle may be driven or operated in a manner so as to deprive a motorcycle 
2.20 	of the full use of a traffic lane.
2.21 	(i) (j) A person operating a motorcycle upon a roadway must be granted the rights and 
2.22 	is subject to the duties applicable to a motor vehicle as provided by law, except as to those 
2.23 	provisions which by their nature can have no application.
2.24 	(j) (k) Paragraphs (e) and (f) of this subdivision do not apply to police officers in the 
2.25 	performance of their official duties.
2.26 	(k) (l) No person may operate a motorcycle on a street or highway unless the headlight 
2.27 	or headlights are lighted at all times the motorcycle is so operated.
2.28 	(l) (m) A person parking a motorcycle on the roadway of a street or highway must:
2.29 	(1) if parking in a marked parking space, park the motorcycle completely within the 
2.30 	marked space; and
3.1 	(2) park the motorcycle in such a way that the front of the motorcycle is pointed or 
3.2 	angled toward the nearest lane of traffic to the extent practicable and necessary to allow the 
3.3 	operator to (i) view any traffic in both directions of the street or highway without having 
3.4 	to move the motorcycle into a lane of traffic and without losing balance or control of the 
3.5 	motorcycle, and (ii) ride the motorcycle forward and directly into a lane of traffic when the 
3.6 	lane is sufficiently clear of traffic.

3.7 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.