Minnesota’s motorcycle season is off to a brutal start. As warmer weather puts more bikes on the road, around 30 people have already been killed in motorcycle crashes this year, even before the heart of the riding season and several holiday weekends really kick in. State safety officials and riders alike say they are deeply worried about what the rest of the summer could look like.
Early-Season Numbers Paint A Grim Picture
According to CBS Minnesota, there have already been 30 motorcycle fatalities statewide this year. The Star Tribune separately reported 27 deaths as of June 13, noting that the toll at that point was more than double what it was at the same time last year.
Speed, Skill Gaps And Shifting Rider Mix Worry Officials
"It's absolutely tragic and horrific," Mike Hanson, director of the Department of Public Safety's Office of Traffic Safety, told the Star Tribune. Many of the recent deadly crashes are single-vehicle run-offs, a pattern investigators say often points to excessive speed or riders misjudging curves.
Officials have also flagged an increase in deaths among younger riders, along with a modest rise in fatalities among riders in their 60s. Several crashes this season have involved passengers as well, a combination that safety staff say they are watching closely.
Lane Filtering, New Traffic Rules And A Complicated Picture
Minnesota has legalized lane splitting and lane filtering under a bill signed by the governor that took effect in mid-2025, and safety coordinators say those new rules, with strict limits on speed and where riders can use them, add another wrinkle to interpreting early-season crash data. Reporting by Road & Track lays out the law's speed caps and where the techniques are off-limits, and includes comments from the state's motorcycle-safety coordinator about a broad public-education push tied to the change.
Training, Visibility And A Hard Look At The Road Ahead
Riders and safety officials are pushing training and visibility as their first lines of defense. The state's motorcycle-safety coordinator told Road & Track that the lane-splitting rollout will come with education for both motorcyclists and drivers, with materials sent out through registration mailings.
The CBS Minnesota piece, along with other local coverage, shows riders and a safety official urging refresher courses and extra caution while investigators try to determine whether this surge is a short-term spike or the start of a longer trend. Authorities keep hammering the basics: slow down, wear proper protective gear, opt for high-visibility clothing and keep up with regular training.
As the riding season rolls on, state officials say they are watching the numbers closely and coordinating enforcement and outreach with local law enforcement agencies and rider groups. Their standing message to anyone on two wheels is blunt and simple: ride prepared and assume other drivers do not see you.
