Bill would make cyclists stop on yellow lights in bike lanes

Minnesota lawmakers are considering HF 3774, a bill from Rep. Mary Frances Clardy (DFL–Inver Grove Heights) that would require bicyclists riding in dedicated bike lanes to come to a stop at yellow traffic lights before entering an intersection or crosswalk. The proposal, heard March 11, 2026 in the House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee, is a tweak to last year’s so‑called 'Idaho stop' reforms, which already allow cyclists to roll through stop signs with no cross‑traffic and to proceed through or turn at red lights without waiting for green. Crucially, the new rule would apply only when riders are in separate bike infrastructure; cyclists traveling in mixed traffic lanes with cars would still follow the regular rules for motorists. Backers, including a downtown Minneapolis rider who testified about seeing close calls from people 'racing the yellow lights,' say the aim is to cut bike–car collisions at intersections, while the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota warns lawmakers not to undermine a broader safety goal of clearing bikes out of danger zones quickly. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in a larger transportation omnibus, so Metro riders won’t see any change unless it survives end‑of‑session deal‑making.