St. Paul, MN - Today, the Minnesota House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee advanced legislation authored by State Representative Lucy Rehm (DFL-Chanhassen) to clarify regulations around electric-assisted bicycles in Minnesota.
“We want everyone to be safe on our roadways, and that has to include pedestrians and people who use bicycles,” said Rep. Rehm. “This bill was crafted and vetted with and for advocates with public safety at the top of mind.”
Rep. Rehm’s bill updates future street planning and road design to accommodate pedestrian infrastructure, enhances driver education to require instruction covering safety risks for vulnerable road users, and establishes electric-assisted bicycle regulations, such as speed restrictions, registration similar to motor vehicles, and selling practices.
This new comprehensive approach to road design and education will help to reduce pedestrian and cyclist fatalities, which have risen statewide even as overall traffic fatalities have fallen. The new definition of a powered cycle will also help clarify the rules of the road for e-bikes.
The bill’s next stop is the House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee.
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