Motorcycle Driving Laws Change – Accident Lawyers

By David RochlinUncategorized

NEW MOTORCYCLE DRIVING LAWS TAKE EFFECT

Our motorcycle accident lawyers handle injury cases throughout Minnesota. David Rochlin and Pam Rochlin have more than 25 years’ experience with all kinds of cases and injuries. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, we can help.

The MN Legislature has recently passed new motorcycle driving laws that are now taking effect. Therefore, we thought it best to post an explanation to help inform people. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety has done a good job of laying out the new motorcycle accident laws, which we have pasted below.

MOTORCYCLE LAWS – MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Lane splitting and lane filtering will be legal in Minnesota as of July 1, 2025. Motorists and motorcyclists need to be aware of this new law and how it will affect them to ensure it is enacted safely and respectfully on Minnesota roadways.

Lane splitting is allowed when two or more lanes of traffic are traveling in the same direction and traffic is moving. It allows a motorcycle to pass another vehicle in the same direction of travel and in the same traffic lane only under these conditions:

  • At no more than 25 miles per hour.
  • No more than 15 miles per hour over the speed of traffic in the relevant traffic lanes.

Lane filtering is allowed when two or more lanes of traffic are traveling in the same direction and traffic is NOT moving. It allows a motorcycle to move through traffic that is stopped, such as at a traffic light or traffic jam, only under this condition:

  • No more than 15 miles per hour over the speed of traffic in the relevant traffic lanes.
Image showing motorcycles lane splitting in moving traffic from above
Image showing motorcycles lane filtering in stopped traffic at a stoplight.

Lane splitting and filtering cannot be performed under the following circumstances:

  • At the approach, drive-through, or exit of a roundabout.
  • In a school zone.
  • In a work zone where only a single travel lane is available for use.
  • On an on-ramp to a freeway or expressway.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF MOTORCYCLE AND CARS

Motorcyclists:

  • It is your responsibility to determine if these maneuvers can safely be performed in a given situation.
  • Do not perform them if you cannot do so safely and within the legal speed restrictions.

Motorists:

  • Be aware of motorcycles sharing your lane in slow-moving traffic and when stopped at intersections.
  • Do not impede their legal right to do so.