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State Bike Laws

Riding a bike is a healthy, fun and safe activity. However, it isn't without some risk. The following information highlights 13 areas of law that may minimize that risk and have the potential to reduce conflicts between bikes and cars (and other traffic). These highlights only cover statewide laws and are not comprehensive.

If you want to learn more about state bicycling policies and efforts, check out our Bicycle Friendly State program.

Check out our Smart Cycling videos if you are interested in bicycling education videos.

All laws mentioned here were compiled as part of a research project in the fall of 2012 and may be subject to change. We update laws as we work with our member advocacy organizations to pass better laws and as advocates or the public tell us about changes. Please help us keep them updated by contacting [email protected] with any updates.

Select your state from the list below to review that state's bike laws.

Minnesota

Safe Passing Laws

Minnesota requires that the operator of a motor vehicle overtaking a bicycle proceeding in the same direction on the roadway shall leave a safe distance, but in no case less than three feet clearance, when passing the bicycle and shall maintain clearance until safely past the overtaken bicycle.

In addition, an individual operating a bicycle on a bikeway shall leave a safe distance when overtaking a bicycle or individual proceeding in the same direction on the bikeway, and shall maintain clearance until safely past the overtaken bicycle or individual

Source: Minn. Stat. §169.18 subd. 3; Minn. Stat. §169.222(4)(e)

Helmet Law

Minnesota has no helmet law. It is legal for all persons of any age to operate a bicycle without wearing a helmet unless otherwise provided by a municipal regulation.

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Share the Road license plates

Minnesota does not offer Share the Road license plates at this time.

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Vulnerable Road User Laws

Minnesota does not have any vulnerable road user laws at this time. There are currently no national standards for laws protecting vulnerable road users, but the League of American Bicyclists has drafted a Model Vulnerable Road User statute, which you can find here.

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Distracted Driving Laws

Minnesota currently has the following laws aimed at distracted driving, subject to limited exceptions:

  • No person may operate a motor vehicle while using a wireless communications device to compose, read, or send an electronic message, when the vehicle is in motion or a part of traffic;
  • A provisional license holder may not operate a vehicle while communicating over, or otherwise operating, a cellular or wireless telephone, whether handheld or hands free, when the vehicle is in motion; and
  • A school bus driver may not operate a school bus while communicating over, or otherwise operating, a cellular phone for personal reasons, whether handheld or hands free, when the vehicle is in motion.

Source: Minn. Stat. §§169.475; 171.055; 169.443

Where to Ride

Minnesota requires that bicyclists shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except under any of the following situations:

  • When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction;
  • When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway; and
  • When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge, including narrow width lanes.

Source: Minn. Stat. §169.222

Sidewalk Riding

Minnesota allows bicycles to operate on sidewalks subject to the following rules:

  • A person operating a bicycle upon a sidewalk, or on a crosswalk, shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal when necessary before overtaking and passing any pedestrian;
  • No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk within a business district unless permitted by local authorities. Local authorities may prohibit the operation of bicycles on any sidewalk or crosswalk under their jurisdiction; and
  • A person lawfully operating a bicycle on a sidewalk, or on a crosswalk, shall have all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances.

Source: Minn. Stat. §169.222(4)(d) & (f)

Mandatory Use of Separated Facilities

Minnesota does not require that bicyclists use any lane or path other than a normal vehicular traffic lane.

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Bicycling Under the Influence

Minnesota’s law prohibiting driving while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances is written so that it applies to motor vehicles, which does not include vehicles moved by human power, and therefore does not directly apply to bicyclists. Nevertheless bicycles should not be operated while intoxicated.

Source: Minn. Stat. §§169A.20; 169A.03

“Idaho Stop” and Vehicle Detection Errors

Minnesota provides an affirmative defense to the charge of entering or crossing an intersection controlled by a traffic-control signal against a red light if a person establishes all of the following conditions:

  • The bicycle has been brought to a complete stop;
  • The traffic-control signal continues to show a red light for an unreasonable time;
  • The traffic-control signal is apparently malfunctioning or, if programmed or engineered to change to a green light only after detecting the approach of a motor vehicle, the signal has apparently failed to detect the arrival of the bicycle; and
  • No motor vehicle or person is approaching on the street or highway to be crossed or entered or is so far away from the intersection that it does not constitute an immediate hazard.

Source: Minn. Stat. §169.06 subd. 9

Authorization for Local Regulation of bicycles

Minnesota provides that local authorities may adopt traffic regulations which are not in conflict with state traffic laws.

Source: Minn. Stat. §169.022

Dooring law

Minnesota requires that no person open any door on a motor vehicle unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic. In addition, no person shall allow any door on the side of a vehicle adjacent to moving traffic to remain open for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.

Source: Minn. Stat. §169.315

Treatment as a Vehicle

In Minnesota bicycles are vehicles according to the statute that defines vehicles and a person riding a bicycle has all of the rights and duties of the driver of a vehicle as provided in Chapter 169 of the Minnesota Statutes, except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application.

Source: Minn. Stat. §§ 169.011(92); 169.222

Source of Laws

The laws regulating the operation of bicycles in the state of Minnesota are generally found in Chapter 169 of the Minnesota Statutes (Minn. Stat.), available here https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=169.  

Other Resources

The following resources may be useful: