On Monday, March 18, the Senate Transportation Committee heard legislation, authored by Senator Julia Coleman (R-Waconia), to increase motorcyclist safety and visibility at night. SF 2132would allow a motorcycle to be equipped with certain white vehicle ground lights.

“I think anything we can do to improve visibility and safety for motorcyclists is certainly a worthwhile cause,” Sen. Coleman said. “We see all these bumper stickers that say, ‘Start Seeing Motorcyclists,’ but we’re one of the states that still bans ground lighting for motorcyclists to be more visible in the evening.”

These light bulbs or strips would project a steady, non-flashing beam onto the road area and around the motorcycle. The beam must also be no bigger than six feet in radius and not visible to other vehicles.

During the bill hearing, American Bikers for Awareness, Training, and Education (A.B.A.T.E.) of Minnesota state coordinator, Jane Doyle, testified in support of Sen. Coleman’s bill saying, “SF 2132 will permit ground effect lighting on motorcycles as a safety feature to allow motorcycles to be easily seen on the roadway at night. The proposal will benefit motorist awareness of motorcycles.”

A.B.A.T.E. of Minnesota is the largest street motorcycling rights and safety advocacy group in Minnesota and has strongly supported legislation in the past that promotes motorcycle safety, training, and motorist awareness of motorcyclists.

SF 2132 was recently incorporated into the transportation policy omnibus bill, which was heard in the Senate Transportation Committee on Friday, March 22.