SF 2405

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 05/19/2017 09:06am

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; allowing motorcycles to split lanes under certain
circumstances; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, section
169.974, subdivision 5.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, 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 shall 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 shall 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 shall 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 shall operate a motorcycle while carrying animals, packages, bundles, or
other cargo which prevent the person from keeping both hands on the handlebars.

(e) 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 new text begin , unless the operator of the motorcycle
is traveling at not more than 40 miles per hour and no more than 15 miles per hour over the
speed of traffic 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. 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 this paragraph
is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.
new text end

(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.

(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, 2018.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of transportation must implement a statewide public education
campaign to alert drivers and the public on how motorcycles may safely pass a vehicle
between lanes. The information must be consistent with the requirements of Minnesota
Statutes, section 169.974, subdivision 5.
new text end

new text begin (b) $....... is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of transportation
for the purposes of the public education campaign required in paragraph (a).
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2017.
new text end