City of MINNEAPOLIS

350 S. 5 Street Minneapolis MN 55415

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Improving bike safety - SF 414 / HF 531

As bicycle traffic increases, its important that our driving laws help motor vehicles and bicycles share our streets as effectively and safely as possible. Some minor changes to Minnesota statutes would make the law better reflect how motorists and bicyclists should interact in bike lanes as outlined in the Minnesota Drivers Manual. Current State Statutes, 169.19 Subd. 1g, and the Minnesota Drivers Manual are not entirely consistent on the issue of yielding to bicyclist in a bike lane. The statute is unclear, and states: Whenever it is necessary for the driver of a motor vehicle to cross a bicycle lane adjacent to the driver's lane of travel to make a turn, the driver shall drive the motor vehicle into the bicycle lane prior to making the turn, and shall make the turn, yielding the right-of-way to any vehicles approaching so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard. The language is not clear on whether or not the motorist is supposed to yield to a bicyclist when turning across the bike lane. It is clear that motorists are supposed to move into the bike lane prior to making the turn, but the statute should directly address the yielding behavior before they enter the bike lane, not only after they have begun making the turn. The Minnesota Drivers Manual (Chapter 4 Sharing the Road) already states clearly that: Before crossing a bicycle lane, make sure it is safe to do so. Yield the right-ofway to approaching bicyclists. When the bicycle lane is clear, signal your intention to turn and then move into the bicycle lane before making the turn. We would suggest amending 169.19 Subd.1g to read: Whenever it is necessary for the driver of a motor vehicle to cross a bicycle lane adjacent to the driver's lane of travel to make a turn, the driver shall first signal the movement, then drive the motor vehicle into the bicycle lane prior to making the turn, and shall make the turn, but only after it is safe to do so. The driver shall then make the turn consistent with any traffic markers, buttons, or signs, yielding the right-of-way to any vehicles or bicycles approaching so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard. We believe strongly this change is important to promote safety and have a clear and consistent understanding for motorists and bicyclists of who should yield to who when they share bicycle lanes. We also believe that from an enforcement standpoint it would be helpful to understand who may be at fault when issuing a citation or investigating an accident. We believe further that these changes and a common understanding of the rules can help traffic move more efficiently with fewer sudden stops and starts for motorist moving through intersections with bike lanes.

The Minnesota Drivers Manual states that motor vehicles must yield to bicyclists traveling in bike lanes.

more information:
City of Minneapolis IGR team Room 301M, City Hall, 350 S. 5th St., Minneapolis, MN 55415 612-673-2043 Feb. 8, 2013