Minnesota cyclists working for improved laws this legislative session

Measures advancing in the House and Senate would make it harder for motorists to use bike lanes and easier for cyclists to use both them and the shoulders of roads. The proposals picked up support Friday from U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who said in an interview that Minnesota is “way ahead of the curve” in promoting bike safety.

Some Republican legislators would prefer biking advocates to slow down.

“I bet most people in the state don’t even realize what a bike lane is,” said Sen. David Hann, R-Eden Prairie, during a recent legislative session. He called a proposal to ban motor vehicle parking in bike lanes “ridiculous” and “a way to collect fines.”

The proposals are approaching final legislative action as the U.S. Department of Transportation on Monday holds a national summit on bicycle safety in Minneapolis. It will feature federal, state and local officials, engineers, designers and safety experts.