Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Bicyclists can turn on red

Published (4/15/2010)
By Mike Cook
Share on: 



Sponsored by Rep. Phyllis Kahn (DFL-Mpls) and Sen. Jim Carlson (DFL-Eagan), a new law will allow a bicyclist to enter or cross an intersection against a red light under certain conditions, including if the light shows red for an unreasonable amount of time, the bicyclist is unable to trigger the signal to change to green and no other vehicle or person is approaching that could pose a hazard.

Signed April 15, by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, it takes effect April 16, 2010.

Kahn said bicycles were included in a 2003 House bill allowing this provision for motorcyclists, but a conference committee removed the bicycle language.

The problem, Kahn said, is that bicycles, like motorcycles, are not heavy enough to trigger the signal sensor to turn the light from red to green.

Without the change, the possibility exists of bicyclists clogging intersections and inconveniencing other drivers behind them.

Dorian Grilley, executive director of the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota, told a House committee that many times while in a left-turn lane, he has moved his bicycle into a crosswalk so a vehicle behind him could come up closer and trip the signal sensor so they could both turn on a green arrow. However, he said because of “Minnesota Nice” motorists don’t always pull closer.

HF2616*/ SF2453/CH232

Session Weekly More...


Session Weekly Home



Related Stories


At Issue: Helping transit, for now
Transportation bill includes short-term transit funding fix
(view full story) Published 5/8/2009

At Issue: Funding increases proffered
Omnibus transportation finance bill expected to help trio of areas
(view full story) Published 5/1/2009

Minnesota Index: Minnesotans on motorcycles
Figures and statistics on motorcycling in Minnesota
(view full story) Published 4/17/2009