Travel close to the right edge of the road

Bicyclists must travel as close as practicable—not as close as possible—to the right edge of the road.

They must do this except when:

• overtaking or passing another vehicle moving in the same direction
• preparing for a left turn
• reasonably necessary to avoid vehicles, narrow lane widths or other hazards that make it unsafe to continue alone the right edge
• riding in a bicycle lane

Two bikes can ride side by side

Bicyclists may ride alongside each other in a single travel lane. That is, if they do not impede normal and reasonable movement of traffic.

Signal turns and lane changes

Bicyclists must signal turns and lane changes unless both arms are needed to control the bicycle.

When it's okay to ride through a red light

A small number of traffic lights require the presence of a car to change to a green light.

Bicyclists may proceed through a red light they believe is not responding to them only if all the following criteria are met:

• The bicyclist has come to a complete stop
• The traffic signal stays red for an unreasonable amount of time
• The bicyclist believes the signal is malfunctioning or needs to be triggered by an automobile to turn green
• There is no cross traffic.

See Minn. Stat. § 169.06 Subd. 9

When riding on sidewalks

Bicyclists must:

• Yield to pedestrians
• Give an audible signal when passing if necessary
• Approach intersections slowly and safely

Where you cannot ride on the sidewalk

Riding a bicycle on the sidewalk is banned in the following places:

• Businesses districts in Minneapolis 
  • This includes areas of downtown and uptown
• The University of Minnesota campus

See Minneapolis Ordinance § 490.140