Lane Filtering is Legal in Minnesota: Here are the Rules

By JZ | The North Metro Realist

If you drive in the North Metro, you’ve likely seen it happen: a motorcyclist slowly moving between lanes of stopped traffic at a red light. Before July 2025, this was a legal gray area (and mostly illegal).

But as of July 1, 2025, lane filtering is officially legal in Minnesota.

This law is a massive shift for our roads, and whether you ride on two wheels or four, you need to know exactly how it works to keep everyone safe. There is still a lot of confusion about what is allowed versus what is reckless. Let’s clear the air.

What Exactly is Lane Filtering?

First, let’s get the terminology right, because “filtering” and “splitting” are not the same thing in the eyes of the law.

Lane Filtering (LEGAL): Moving through traffic that is stopped or moving very slowly (like at a red light or heavy congestion).
Lane Splitting (ILLEGAL): Riding between lanes of traffic moving at high speeds on the highway.

Minnesota law now explicitly permits filtering, but it comes with strict speed caps to ensure it is done safely.

The Official Rules (As of July 1, 2025)

A close-up view of a modern digital motorcycle speedometer reading 20 mph. A futuristic, transparent HUD overlay displays "LIMIT: 25 MPH" against a background of blurred, stationary car traffic in an urban setting. — Gridlock doesn’t mean game over, but it does mean heads up. 🧠🏍️

Maintaining a steady 20 mph when the world stops moving. Remember: in heavy traffic, the speed limit is a ceiling, not a target. Keep your head on a swivel and your speed in check.

#RideSmart #MotorcycleSafety #UrbanRider #TrafficAwareness #LaneFiltering #TwoWheels

According to the legislation passed in 2024 and enacted in 2025, motorcyclists can filter through traffic only under these specific conditions:

Speed Limit: The rider cannot exceed 25 mph.
Speed Differential: The rider cannot travel more than 15 mph faster than the traffic they are passing.
Conditions: Traffic must be stopped or moving slowly in the same direction.

Where is it Prohibited? Even with the new law, you cannot filter just anywhere. It is strictly prohibited in:

Roundabouts
School zones
Work zones where traffic is reduced to a single lane
Freeway entrance ramps

Why Was This Passed?

For non-riders, this might seem annoying—why do they get to cut the line? The logic isn’t about patience; it’s about safety and congestion.

1. Preventing Rear-End Collisions The most common accident for motorcyclists is being rear-ended in stop-and-go traffic. By filtering to the front or moving between cars, riders remove themselves from the “crush zone” between a stopped car and an approaching vehicle that might not stop in time.

2. Reducing Congestion Studies from California (where this has been legal for years) and Utah show that when motorcycles filter, it actually speeds up traffic for everyone. Motorcycles take up less space and clear intersections faster than cars.

Tips for Drivers (The “North Metro” Etiquette)

A first-person view from inside a motorcycle helmet showing a gloved hand gripping the throttle while stopped between two lanes of cars at a red light on a gray, snowy urban street in Minnesota. — Tight squeeze, cold air, red light. Just waiting for the moment to twist the throttle. 🏍️💨 #MinnesotaMoto #LaneFilter #RiderPOV #WinterRiding

If you are in your truck or SUV and see a bike coming up the lane line:

Don’t block them. It is now illegal to intentionally impede a motorcyclist who is filtering legally.
Check your mirrors. Before changing lanes in stalled traffic, do a double-check for riders.
Relax. They aren’t “cutting” you; they are making the road safer for themselves and effectively shorter for you.

The Bottom Line

Minnesota has joined the growing list of states recognizing that lane filtering, when done responsibly, makes sense. Whether you are commuting down Highway 10 or navigating the stoplights in Coon Rapids, stay alert.

Lane Filtering Minnesota