SF 5174

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 06/26/2024 10:50am

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; allowing motorcycles to split lanes under certain
circumstances; requiring public awareness campaign; appropriating money;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 169.974, subdivision 5.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, 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 deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin may new text end
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 deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin may new text end 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 deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin may new text end 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 deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin may new text end operate a motorcycle while carrying animals, packages, bundles,
or other cargo which prevent the person from keeping both hands on the handlebars.

(e) deleted text begin No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of moving or stationary vehicles
headed in the same direction, nor shall any person drive a motorcycle abreast of or overtake
or pass another vehicle within the same traffic lane. deleted text end new text begin Only if the operation of the motorcycle
does not exceed 40 miles per hour and is operated at no more than 15 miles per hour over
the speed of traffic, a person may operate a motorcycle (1) abreast of, overtake, or pass
another vehicle within the same traffic lane, or (2) between two parallel lanes of moving or
stationary traffic headed in the same direction. 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.

(f) 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. new text begin An operator of a motor vehicle that intentionally impedes or
attempts to prevent any operator of a motorcycle from operating a motorcycle as permitted
under paragraph (e) is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.
new text end

(g) 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.

(h) Paragraph (e) of this subdivision does not apply to police officers in the performance
of their official duties.

(i) No person shall operate a motorcycle on a street or highway unless the headlight or
headlights are lighted at all times the motorcycle is so operated.

(j) 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 July 1, 2025.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN; MOTORCYCLE
LANE SPLITTING.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of public safety must implement a statewide public education
campaign to alert drivers and the public on how motorcycles may safely 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

new text begin (b) $....... in fiscal year 2025 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of public safety for the purposes of the public education campaign established in paragraph
(a).
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2024.
new text end