SF 910

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 02/10/2025 06:09 p.m.

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; repealing authorization for motorcyclists to split or filter
lanes; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 169.223, subdivision 4; 169.974,
subdivision 5; Laws 2024, chapter 127, article 1, section 4, subdivision 3; repealing
Laws 2024, chapter 127, article 3, section 122.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.223, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Headlight requirement.

The provisions of section 169.974, subdivision 5,
paragraph deleted text begin (k) deleted text end new text begin (i) new text end , apply to motorized bicycles that are equipped with headlights. A new
motorized bicycle sold or offered for sale in Minnesota must be equipped with a headlight.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.974, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Driving rules.

(a) An operator of a motorcycle must ride only upon a permanent
and regular seat which is attached to the vehicle for that purpose. No other person may ride
on a motorcycle, except that passengers may ride (1) upon a permanent and regular operator's
seat if designed for two persons, (2) upon additional seats attached to or in the vehicle, or
(3) in a sidecar attached to the vehicle. The operator of a motorcycle is prohibited from
carrying passengers in a number in excess of the designed capacity of the motorcycle or
sidecar attached to it. A passenger is prohibited from being carried in a position that interferes
with the safe operation of the motorcycle or the view of the operator.

(b) No person may ride upon a motorcycle as a passenger unless the person can reach
the footrests or floorboards with both feet.

(c) Except for passengers of sidecars, drivers and passengers of three-wheeled
motorcycles, and persons in an autocycle, no person may operate or ride upon a motorcycle
except while sitting astride the seat, facing forward, with one leg on either side of the
motorcycle.

(d) No person may operate a motorcycle while carrying animals, packages, bundles, or
other cargo that prevent the person from keeping both hands on the handlebars.

(e) new text begin No person may operate a motorcycle between lanes of moving or stationary vehicles
headed in the same direction, nor may any person drive a motorcycle abreast of or overtake
or pass another vehicle within the same traffic lane. new text end Motorcycles may, with the consent of
both drivers, be operated not more than two abreast in a single traffic lane if the vehicles
fit safely within the designated space of the lane.

deleted text begin (f) Except under the conditions specified in paragraph (g), no person may operate a
motorcycle:
deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) between lanes of moving or stationary vehicles headed in the same direction of travel;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) abreast of moving or stationary vehicles within the same traffic lane; or
deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) to overtake or pass another vehicle within the same traffic lane.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (g) A person may operate a motorcycle and overtake and pass another vehicle in the
same direction of travel and within the same traffic lane if the motorcycle is operated:
deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) at not more than 25 miles per hour; and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) no more than 15 miles per hour over the speed of traffic in the relevant traffic lanes.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (h) deleted text end new text begin (f) new text end Motor vehicles including motorcycles are entitled to the full use of a traffic lane
and no motor vehicle may be driven or operated in a manner so as to deprive a motorcycle
of the full use of a traffic lane.

deleted text begin (i) deleted text end new text begin (g) new text end A person operating a motorcycle upon a roadway must be granted the rights and
is subject to the duties applicable to a motor vehicle as provided by law, except as to those
provisions which by their nature can have no application.

deleted text begin (j) Paragraphs deleted text end new text begin (h) Paragraph new text end (e) deleted text begin and (f) of this subdivision do deleted text end new text begin does new text end not apply to police
officers in the performance of their official duties.

deleted text begin (k) deleted text end new text begin (i) new text end No person may operate a motorcycle on a street or highway unless the headlight
or headlights are lighted at all times the motorcycle is so operated.

deleted text begin (l) deleted text end new text begin (j) new text end A person parking a motorcycle on the roadway of a street or highway must:

(1) if parking in a marked parking space, park the motorcycle completely within the
marked space; and

(2) park the motorcycle in such a way that the front of the motorcycle is pointed or
angled toward the nearest lane of traffic to the extent practicable and necessary to allow the
operator to (i) view any traffic in both directions of the street or highway without having
to move the motorcycle into a lane of traffic and without losing balance or control of the
motorcycle, and (ii) ride the motorcycle forward and directly into a lane of traffic when the
lane is sufficiently clear of traffic.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Laws 2024, chapter 127, article 1, section 4, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Traffic Safety

-0-

deleted text begin 1,400,000 deleted text end new text begin 1,200,000 new text end

Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
299A.705, regarding the use of funds from
this account, $1,200,000 in fiscal year 2025
is from the driver and vehicle services
operating account in the special revenue fund
for the Lights On grant program under
Minnesota Statutes, section 169.515. The
commissioner must contract with the Lights
On! microgrant program to administer and
operate the grant program. Notwithstanding
Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.98,
subdivision 14, the commissioner may use up
to two percent of this appropriation for
administrative costs. This is a onetime
appropriation and is available until June 30,
2026.

deleted text begin $200,000 in fiscal year 2025 is from the
motorcycle safety account in the special
revenue fund for the public education
campaign on motorcycle operation under
article 3, section 122. This is a onetime
appropriation.
deleted text end

Sec. 4. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Laws 2024, chapter 127, article 3, section 122, new text end new text begin is repealed.
new text end

APPENDIX

Repealed Minnesota Session Laws: 25-02197

Laws 2024, chapter 127, article 3, section 122

Sec. 122. new text begin PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN; MOTORCYCLE OPERATIONS. new text end

new text begin 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. new text end