- Minnesota legalized lane splitting and filtering for motorcycles in slow or stopped traffic.
- Riders must not exceed 25 mph or go more than 15 mph faster than stopped traffic.
- Splitting is banned in school zones, work zones, roundabouts, and freeway on-ramps.
Minnesota drivers have something new to look out for on the road: motorcycles moving between lanes. As of July 1, motorcyclists in the state are legally allowed to lane split and lane filter, a change that introduces both new freedoms and responsibilities.
Here’s a closer look at what the new law means, how it works, and what both riders and drivers need to keep in mind. The overall goal behind the move appears to be improved safety and smoother traffic flow.
Read: Lane-Splitting Biker Clipped By BMW At 104 MPH Pulls Off Miracle Save
In short, lane-splitting and filtering are mostly what they sound like. It’s the act of a motorcycle rider overtaking traffic by driving between lanes of traffic. It can happen while traffic is moving or while it’s stopped at a light. It’s not legal everywhere across the USA, but it’s legal in Minnesota as of July 1.
Riders will want to keep in mind that this new freedom still has some important stipulations. For example, at speeds above 25 mph, they’re required to stop filtering or splitting and act as any other vehicle in their own lane in traffic.
Once traffic slows below 25 mph, they can split and filter at 25 mph. That is, unless traffic slows so much that the speed of traffic stops below 10 mph, at that point, they need to slow to the extent that they’re going no more than 15 mph faster than traffic.
“This is a new concept for a lot of Minnesotans. Drivers and riders need to be respectful and remember our roads are shared by all of us,” said OTS Director Mike Hanson. “We want to see this law enacted as safely as possible so everyone can get home and enjoy their summer.”
“Both motorcyclists and automobile they have to know the new rules, so they don’t think someone’s doing something wrong, or they don’t try to get road rage and try to cut off the motorcycle,” Aaron Larson, the lead instructor for the motorcycle safety program at the Chippewa Valley Technical College told WEAU13 News. Before July 1, lane splitting and filtering were illegal in Minnesota.
New Rules, New Responsibilities
In essence, this new set of rules means that motorcycle riders are going to get places a bit quicker than before. They can filter up to the front of the line at red lights. They can filter up during slow bumper-to-bumper traffic, but even then, they’ll need to keep their speeds reasonable.
And they’ll have to avoid filtering and splitting in some places like roundabouts, school zones, freeway on-ramps, and work zones where there’s only one lane.
“Keeping our roads safe is our priority,” said MMSC motorcycle safety administrator Jay Bock. “While splitting and filtering are now legal, they are not mandatory, and they’re not always the best option. Motorcyclists should use their best judgment about whether and when this can be done safely.”
While the new law may help reduce congestion and improve traffic flow for riders, it places a clear emphasis on judgment and responsibility. For drivers, it’s a reminder to stay alert, especially in stop-and-go traffic. For riders, it’s an opportunity that comes with added accountability.