Did That Cyclist Just Run a Stop Sign? They Might Have Been Following Minnesota Law

I saw a bicyclist roll right through a stop sign the other day, and I immediately got a little perturbed because there’s no way that’s legal, right?

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Turns out, sometimes it is.

The topic came up in this week's "Ask A Trooper" column from Sgt. Troy Christianson with the Minnesota State Patrol; a reader asked for a refresher on bicycle safety laws in Minnesota.

And while there are several good reminders in this week's response, the stop-sign law jumped out at me because I think it would surprise a lot of Minnesota drivers.

Minnesota Bicyclists Don't Always Have to Come to a Complete Stop

Under Minnesota law, bicyclists are generally required to obey traffic signs and signals just like motorists; however, there is one important exception.

Bicyclists may legally treat a stop sign as a yield sign if the intersection is clear.

That means a cyclist can slow down, make sure it's safe, and continue through the intersection without coming to a complete stop.

The rule does not apply when it's unsafe to proceed. If there is traffic, a pedestrian, or another reason to stop, the cyclist must yield the right of way.

It's a law that still catches a lot of drivers off guard, especially during the summer when more people are out riding.

A Few Other Minnesota Bicycle Rules Worth Remembering

It's also worth remembering that when you're riding a bike, you're not a pedestrian. You're operating a vehicle and sharing the road with everyone else.

While Minnesota allows bicyclists to treat some stop signs as yield signs, cyclists still need to follow the rules of the road, obey traffic signals, yield when required, use hand signals before turning, and make their movements as predictable as possible.

The 3-Foot Rule: Minnesota Drivers Can Be Ticketed for This Common Mistake

And don't forget, Minnesota law requires drivers to leave at least three feet of space when passing a bicyclist.

That extra room can make a huge difference, especially on narrow roads or if something unexpected happens.

At the end of the day, we're all sharing the same roads, and everyone has a responsibility to watch out for each other and follow the rules.