If you're thinking that the subject of this article looks a little familiar, don't worry. You're not having déjà vu; it's just an instance where things weren't totally clear before, but now they are. In a move to clarify what's sure to remain a controversial change to Minnesota state law, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Office of Traffic Safety put out an official statement on June 30, 2025 regarding how, where, and why the Gopher State's new lane filtering and lane splitting law may legally be practiced by motorcycle riders.
“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. We want to see this law enacted as safely as possible so everyone can get home and enjoy their summer," Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety director Mike Hanson said in a statement.
Crucially, the statement uses plain language to describe both the rights and responsibilities of both motorcycle riders and drivers while on the road. "It is the responsibility of motorcyclists to perform these actions safely and legally," it states.
As for other road users in cars, trucks, SUVs, and anything else that isn't a motorcycle, their responsibilities are summarized as follows: "Motorists need to be aware of motorcycles that are splitting and filtering and cannot get in their way, however, they are not obligated to accommodate them."
It's not entirely clear how the concepts of "cannot get in their way" and "are not legally obligated to accommodate them" work together in practice, as it seems like they might cancel each other out. Perhaps it will become an all too easy way to say "sorry, mate, I didn't see you," but of course I, as a rider, would hope not. And I'd guess you would, as well, but if you've been riding in traffic as long as I have, you might have a healthy amount of skepticism about how other road users will act.
In any case, the statement goes on to reinforce the idea that while lane splitting and filtering are now legal in Minnesota, you don't have to do them—and not only that, but riders should use their best judgment as to when, where, and how they are most appropriate actions to perform. Sometimes, they're not the best idea; just like any road maneuver. Just like you pay close attention to whether it's safe to switch lanes while you're riding, it's obviously a good idea to closely monitor the traffic and road conditions around you to determine whether it's safe to lane split or filter.
Most riders probably know that better than anyone, because we're so much more exposed on the road than drivers are. And yes, many riders do also drive, and might take that level of awareness with them inside the confines of their cars when they're not actively riding their motorcycles. But it's still worth saying.
How Minnesota Defines Lane Splitting and Lane Filtering
As of July 1, 2025, it is now legal to practice both lane splitting and lane filtering in Minnesota. However, in order to operate your motorcycle within the law, you need to know how the state defines each of these terms.
To legally lane split in Minnesota, you may pass a vehicle in the same lane at speeds no greater than 25 mph. Furthermore, that maximum speed must not be more than 15 mph above the current speed of the traffic you're passing. If traffic around you exceeds a top speed of 25 mph, then motorcycles are required to move into their own lane of traffic once again, and cease splitting activities until such time as traffic speeds drop to 25mph or below again.
To legally lane filter in Minnesota, traffic around a motorcycle must be completely stopped, such as at a stoplight or in a traffic jam. Motorcyclists may then, at their discretion and where it is safe to do so, weave their way through stopped traffic to get to the front of the line. If you have ridden in places in Europe and especially in Asia, or you've seen videos of riders in those places, then you've likely witnessed lane filtering behavior. Riders may not exceed speeds of 15 mph as they filter through stopped traffic.
There Are Some Places Where It's Illegal To Lane Split or Filter In Minnesota That You Need To Know About
While both lane filtering and lane splitting are now legal in Minnesota, they're not legal everywhere. Don't do either of these things in school zones, through roundabouts, on freeway on-ramps (yikes), or in work zones, particularly if traffic is down to a single lane.
In these situations, motorcyclists must behave as other traffic does, maintaining appropriate speed and distance to roll through these areas as safely as possible, both for themselves and for other road users.
This is new road behavior for Minnesota riders and drivers, and it will take time to adjust. Here's hoping that everyone can be patient, kind, and prudent so that everyone can get to where they're going safely. In my own state of Illinois, lane filtering and lane splitting are not (yet) legal; however, I've ridden in places where they are. In my opinion, it's nice to see all traffic be a little more aware of each other and react accordingly so we can all share the road and get to our next destination unscathed.
And at the same time, it's both scary and frustrating when someone on the road isn't paying attention, or worse still, is actively aggressive toward other road users. I know people can be jerks sometimes, but please take a moment and put yourself in the shoes of whoever's waiting at home for the person you're mad at on the road. Is whatever they did to make you angry really worth hurting them? Or should you just yell, flip them off to get it out of your system, and then roll away and forget the whole thing ever happened?
I know which route I'm choosing, and I hope you do, too. Not everyone is at their best all of the time; we're human, after all. But it's also not that deep. Let's all share the road, wherever we're riding or driving.
