Minnesota’s Legislature has passed a law that will permit motorcyclists to ride between lanes in bumper-to-bumper or slow-moving traffic. However, this change won’t be implemented until July 2025, giving the state ample time to prepare and educate the public on the new rules.
The law, passed in May, allows motorcyclists to slowly maneuver between lanes, a practice known as lane-splitting or lane-filtering, already legal in several other states. The delay in enforcement is meant to ensure that both motorcyclists and motorists are fully informed about the new law and how it will be implemented.
With the upcoming holiday week expected to bring many motorcycles onto the roads, Minnesota public safety officials are emphasizing the importance of motorcycle awareness and safety. Jay Bock, a motorcycle safety coordinator with the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety, urged both motorists and motorcyclists to be vigilant.
“You’ve seen our campaign and bumper stickers for ‘start seeing motorcycles,’ so just please be aware,” Bock stated. “On the motorcyclist side, we need to do a better job of doing the same thing. We need to be aware of our surroundings. We need to keep our speeds in check.”
Despite the law not taking effect until next year, there have already been instances of motorcyclists attempting lane-splitting. Bock reminded roadway users that the law will not be in effect until July 1, 2025. In the meantime, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety has been allocated $200,000 to educate the public about the new law. This includes developing strategies for education, media outreach, and implementation before the law comes into force.
“The reason it has the lag in implementation, at least in part, was to give state agencies time to develop strategies for education, media, and implementation before the law takes effect,” Bock explained.
Once the law is in effect, Minnesota will join at least half a dozen other states that allow lane-splitting or lane-filtering. This move is expected to enhance traffic flow and improve safety for motorcyclists in congested traffic situations.
Public safety officials stress the importance of mutual awareness and respect between motorcyclists and other road users to ensure that the new law, once implemented, achieves its intended benefits without compromising safety.