Bill Text: MN HF1008 | 2013-2014 | 88th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Bicycle riding rules and equipment requirements modified.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-02-28 - Introduction and first reading, referred to Transportation Policy [HF1008 Detail]
Download: Minnesota-2013-HF1008-Introduced.html
1.2relating to transportation; bicycles; modifying riding rules and equipment
1.3requirements;amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 169.222, subdivisions
1.42, 4, 6; 169.68.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 169.222, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
1.7 Subd. 2. Manner and number riding. No bicycle, including a tandem bicycle,
1.8cargo or utility bicycle, or trailer, shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the
1.9number for which it is designed and equipped, except(1) on a baby seat attached to the
1.10bicycle, provided that the baby seat is equipped with a harness to hold the child securely in
1.11the seat and that protection is provided against the child's feet hitting the spokes of the
1.12wheel or (2) in a seat attached to the bicycle operator an adult rider may carry a child in a
1.13seat designed for carrying children that is securely attached to the bicycle.
1.14 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 169.222, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
1.15 Subd. 4. Riding rules. (a) Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall
1.16ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except under
1.17any of the following situations:
1.18(1) when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction;
1.19(2) when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway;
1.20(3) when reasonably necessary to avoid conditions, including fixed or moving
1.21objects, vehicles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or narrow width lanes, that make
1.22it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge.; or
1.23(4) when operating on the shoulder of a roadway or in a designated bicycle lane.
2.1(b) If a bicycle is traveling on a shoulder of a roadway, the bicycle shall travel in the
2.2same direction as adjacent vehicular traffic.
2.3(c) Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway or shoulder shall not ride more than two
2.4abreast and shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic and, on a
2.5laned roadway, shall ride within a single lane.
2.6(d) A person operating a bicycle upon a sidewalk, or across a roadway or shoulder
2.7on a crosswalk, shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible
2.8signal when necessary before overtaking and passing any pedestrian. No person shall ride
2.9a bicycle upon a sidewalk within a business district unless permitted by local authorities.
2.10Local authorities may prohibit the operation of bicycles on any sidewalk or crosswalk
2.11under their jurisdiction.
2.12(e) An individual operating a bicycle or other vehicle on a bikeway shall leave a safe
2.13distance when overtaking a bicycle or individual proceeding in the same direction on the
2.14bikeway, and shall maintain clearance until safely past the overtaken bicycle or individual.
2.15(f) A person lawfully operating a bicycle on a sidewalk, or across a roadway or
2.16shoulder on a crosswalk, shall have all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian
2.17under the same circumstances.
2.18(g) A person may operate an electric-assisted bicycle on the shoulder of a roadway,
2.19on a bikeway, or on a bicycle trail if not otherwise prohibited under section85.015 ,
2.20subdivision 1d;85.018, subdivision 2 , paragraph (d); or
160.263, subdivision 2 , paragraph
2.21(b), as applicable.
2.22 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 169.222, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
2.23 Subd. 6. Bicycle equipment. (a) No person shall operate a bicycle at nighttime
2.24unless the bicycle or its operator is equipped with (1) a lamp which emits a white light
2.25visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front; and (2) a red reflector of a type
2.26approved by the Department of Public Safety which is visible from all distances from 100
2.27feet to 600 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps
2.28on a motor vehicle.
2.29(b) No person may operate a bicycle at any time when there is not sufficient light to
2.30render persons and vehicles on the highway clearly discernible at a distance of 500 feet
2.31ahead unless the bicycle or its operator is equipped with reflective surfaces that shall be
2.32visible during the hours of darkness from 600 feet when viewed in front of lawful lower
2.33beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle. The reflective surfaces shall include reflective
2.34materials on each side of each pedal to indicate their presence from the front or the rear and
2.35with a minimum of 20 square inches of reflective material on each side of the bicycle or its
3.1operator. Any bicycle equipped with side reflectors as required by regulations for new
3.2bicycles prescribed by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission shall be
3.3considered to meet the requirements for side reflectorization contained in this subdivision.
3.4(c) A bicycle may be equipped with a front lamp that emits a white flashing signal,
3.5or a rear lamp that emits a red flashing signal, or both. A bicycle equipped with front and
3.6rear lamps that are visible from a distance of at least 500 feet from both the front and the
3.7rear shall be deemed to fully comply with this paragraph.
3.8(d) A bicycle may be equipped with tires having studs, spikes, or other protuberances
3.9designed to increase traction.
3.10(e) No person shall operate a bicycle unless it is equipped with a rear brake or
3.11front and rear brakes which will enable the operator to makethe a braked wheels wheel
3.12 skid on dry, level, clean pavement. A bicycle equipped with a direct or fixed gear that
3.13can make the rear wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement shall be deemed to fully
3.14comply with this paragraph.
3.15(f) A bicycle may be equipped with a horn or bell designed to alert motor vehicles,
3.16other bicycles, and pedestrians of the bicycle's presence.
3.17(f) (g) No person shall operate upon a highway any two-wheeled bicycle equipped
3.18with handlebars so raised that the operator must elevate the hands above the level of the
3.19shoulders in order to grasp the normal steering grip area.
3.20(g) (h) No person shall operate upon a highway any bicycle which is of such a size
3.21as to prevent the operator from stopping the bicycle, supporting it with at least one foot
3.22on the highway surface and restarting in a safe manner.
3.23 Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 169.68, is amended to read:
3.24169.68 HORN, SIREN.
3.25(a) Every motor vehicle when operated upon a highway must be equipped with
3.26a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal
3.27conditions from a distance of not less than 200 feet. However, the horn or other warning
3.28device must not emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle. The driver of a
3.29motor vehicle shall, when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation, give audible
3.30warning with the horn, but shall not otherwise use the horn when upon a highway.
3.31(b) A vehicle must not be equipped with, and a person shall not use upon a vehicle,
3.32any siren, whistle, or bell, except as otherwise permitted in this section.
3.33(c) It is permissible, but not required, for any commercial vehicle to be equipped
3.34with a theft alarm signal device, so arranged that it cannot be used by the driver as an
3.35ordinary warning signal.
4.1(d) All authorized emergency vehicles must be equipped with a siren capable of
4.2emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 500 feet
4.3and of a type conforming to the federal certification standards for sirens, as determined by
4.4the General Services Administration. However, the siren must not be used except when the
4.5vehicle is operated in response to an emergency call or in the immediate pursuit of an actual
4.6or suspected violator of the law, in which latter events the driver of the vehicle shall sound
4.7the siren when necessary to warn pedestrians and other drivers of the vehicle's approach.
4.8(e) It is permissible, but not required, for a bicycle to be equipped with a horn or bell
4.9designed to alert motor vehicles, other bicycles, and pedestrians of the bicycle's presence.
1.3requirements;amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 169.222, subdivisions
1.42, 4, 6; 169.68.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 169.222, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
1.7 Subd. 2. Manner and number riding. No bicycle, including a tandem bicycle,
1.8cargo or utility bicycle, or trailer, shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the
1.9number for which it is designed and equipped, except
1.10
1.11
1.12
1.13seat designed for carrying children that is securely attached to the bicycle.
1.14 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 169.222, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
1.15 Subd. 4. Riding rules. (a) Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall
1.16ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except under
1.17any of the following situations:
1.18(1) when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction;
1.19(2) when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway;
1.20(3) when reasonably necessary to avoid conditions, including fixed or moving
1.21objects, vehicles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or narrow width lanes, that make
1.22it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge
1.23(4) when operating on the shoulder of a roadway or in a designated bicycle lane.
2.1(b) If a bicycle is traveling on a shoulder of a roadway, the bicycle shall travel in the
2.2same direction as adjacent vehicular traffic.
2.3(c) Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway or shoulder shall not ride more than two
2.4abreast and shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic and, on a
2.5laned roadway, shall ride within a single lane.
2.6(d) A person operating a bicycle upon a sidewalk, or across a roadway or shoulder
2.7on a crosswalk, shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible
2.8signal when necessary before overtaking and passing any pedestrian. No person shall ride
2.9a bicycle upon a sidewalk within a business district unless permitted by local authorities.
2.10Local authorities may prohibit the operation of bicycles on any sidewalk or crosswalk
2.11under their jurisdiction.
2.12(e) An individual operating a bicycle or other vehicle on a bikeway shall leave a safe
2.13distance when overtaking a bicycle or individual proceeding in the same direction on the
2.14bikeway, and shall maintain clearance until safely past the overtaken bicycle or individual.
2.15(f) A person lawfully operating a bicycle on a sidewalk, or across a roadway or
2.16shoulder on a crosswalk, shall have all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian
2.17under the same circumstances.
2.18(g) A person may operate an electric-assisted bicycle on the shoulder of a roadway,
2.19on a bikeway, or on a bicycle trail if not otherwise prohibited under section
2.20subdivision 1d;
2.21(b), as applicable.
2.22 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 169.222, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
2.23 Subd. 6. Bicycle equipment. (a) No person shall operate a bicycle at nighttime
2.24unless the bicycle or its operator is equipped with (1) a lamp which emits a white light
2.25visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front; and (2) a red reflector of a type
2.26approved by the Department of Public Safety which is visible from all distances from 100
2.27feet to 600 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps
2.28on a motor vehicle.
2.29(b) No person may operate a bicycle at any time when there is not sufficient light to
2.30render persons and vehicles on the highway clearly discernible at a distance of 500 feet
2.31ahead unless the bicycle or its operator is equipped with reflective surfaces that shall be
2.32visible during the hours of darkness from 600 feet when viewed in front of lawful lower
2.33beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle. The reflective surfaces shall include reflective
2.34materials on each side of each pedal to indicate their presence from the front or the rear and
2.35with a minimum of 20 square inches of reflective material on each side of the bicycle or its
3.1operator. Any bicycle equipped with side reflectors as required by regulations for new
3.2bicycles prescribed by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission shall be
3.3considered to meet the requirements for side reflectorization contained in this subdivision.
3.4(c) A bicycle may be equipped with a front lamp that emits a white flashing signal,
3.5or a rear lamp that emits a red flashing signal, or both. A bicycle equipped with front and
3.6rear lamps that are visible from a distance of at least 500 feet from both the front and the
3.7rear shall be deemed to fully comply with this paragraph.
3.8(d) A bicycle may be equipped with tires having studs, spikes, or other protuberances
3.9designed to increase traction.
3.10(e) No person shall operate a bicycle unless it is equipped with a rear brake or
3.11front and rear brakes which will enable the operator to make
3.12 skid on dry, level, clean pavement. A bicycle equipped with a direct or fixed gear that
3.13can make the rear wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement shall be deemed to fully
3.14comply with this paragraph.
3.15(f) A bicycle may be equipped with a horn or bell designed to alert motor vehicles,
3.16other bicycles, and pedestrians of the bicycle's presence.
3.17
3.18with handlebars so raised that the operator must elevate the hands above the level of the
3.19shoulders in order to grasp the normal steering grip area.
3.20
3.21as to prevent the operator from stopping the bicycle, supporting it with at least one foot
3.22on the highway surface and restarting in a safe manner.
3.23 Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 169.68, is amended to read:
3.24169.68 HORN, SIREN.
3.25(a) Every motor vehicle when operated upon a highway must be equipped with
3.26a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal
3.27conditions from a distance of not less than 200 feet. However, the horn or other warning
3.28device must not emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle. The driver of a
3.29motor vehicle shall, when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation, give audible
3.30warning with the horn, but shall not otherwise use the horn when upon a highway.
3.31(b) A vehicle must not be equipped with, and a person shall not use upon a vehicle,
3.32any siren, whistle, or bell, except as otherwise permitted in this section.
3.33(c) It is permissible, but not required, for any commercial vehicle to be equipped
3.34with a theft alarm signal device, so arranged that it cannot be used by the driver as an
3.35ordinary warning signal.
4.1(d) All authorized emergency vehicles must be equipped with a siren capable of
4.2emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 500 feet
4.3and of a type conforming to the federal certification standards for sirens, as determined by
4.4the General Services Administration. However, the siren must not be used except when the
4.5vehicle is operated in response to an emergency call or in the immediate pursuit of an actual
4.6or suspected violator of the law, in which latter events the driver of the vehicle shall sound
4.7the siren when necessary to warn pedestrians and other drivers of the vehicle's approach.
4.8(e) It is permissible, but not required, for a bicycle to be equipped with a horn or bell
4.9designed to alert motor vehicles, other bicycles, and pedestrians of the bicycle's presence.
