Throttle Pulse: Minnesota Lane-Splitting Law & Industry Updates
From Minnesota’s groundbreaking lane-splitting legalization to electric motorcycle expansions, explore the latest trends shaping the U.S. motorcycle scene in late July 2025.
By: Raine Devries @ 2 Wheel Media
In this week’s recap we take a look at Minnesota’s new lane-splitting law to the American Motorcyclist Association’s push for federal safety reforms. Discover how rising fatalities are driving new training initiatives, why Indian Motorcycle remains a powerhouse in Polaris’s latest earnings, and how Super73’s electric bike expansion is electrifying urban riding. These stories, packed with insights and updates, will keep you in the know on two-wheeled innovation and safety.
Minnesota Legalizes Lane-Splitting: New Motorcycle Law in 2025
Minnesota became the sixth U.S. state to legalize lane-splitting and lane-filtering on July 1, 2025, under HF 5247, signed by Governor Tim Walz in May 2024.
Motorcyclists can now ride between moving traffic at up to 25 mph.
Riders cannot exceed above 15 mph above traffic speed.
Riders can filter past stopped vehicles at 15 mph.
This 2025 motorcycle law aims to reduce rear-end collisions, which killed 84 riders in Minnesota in 2022, as advocated by riders like AMA member Phil Stalboerger. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is promoting rider education, though drivers in urban areas like Minneapolis express safety concerns.
U.S. Motorcycle Fatalities Drive 2025 Safety Initiatives
With 84 motorcycle deaths in Minnesota in 2022 and 76 in 2023, rising U.S. motorcycle fatalities are fueling urgent safety initiatives in July 2025. Motorcycles account for 10% of U.S. crashes despite being just 2% of vehicles. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation is expanding training programs, like those at St. Paul’s Rider Academy, to equip new riders with skills for high-performance bikes, as noted in this CBS News report. Advocates are pushing for better road signage and driver awareness to reduce preventable accidents in growing urban traffic.
Polaris Q2 2025 Earnings: Indian Motorcycle Stays Resilient
On July 23, 2025, Polaris Inc., parent of Indian Motorcycle, reported a 3% overall sales drop in its Q2 2025 earnings, but its motorcycle division remained steady. Indian’s premium models, like the Scout, saw strong demand despite supply chain challenges, as highlighted in a RideApart article. Polaris is investing in new 2025 motorcycle models to compete with Harley-Davidson, navigating economic pressures and cautious consumer spending, reflecting the U.S. motorcycle industry’s resilience.
AMA Pushes Federal Motorcycle Safety Laws in 2025
In July 2025, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) intensified its advocacy for federal motorcycle safety legislation, citing a 2015 UC Berkeley study on lane-splitting’s safety benefits. The AMA is seeking funding for rider education and infrastructure upgrades like motorcycle-friendly barriers to address high crash rates in states like Texas and Florida. Building on Minnesota’s lane-splitting success, this 2025 advocacy aims to enhance rider safety nationwide.
Download the full 33-page PDF of the UC Berkeley study on lane splitting:
Super73 Expands Electric Motorcycle Retail in U.S. for 2025
On July 22, 2025, California-based Super73 announced new retail locations in Texas and Florida to meet demand for its electric motorcycles and e-bikes. Models like the R-Series attract young, urban riders seeking affordable, eco-friendly alternatives, positioning Super73 as a competitor to LiveWire in the U.S. electric two-wheeler market, as noted in a RideApart report. This 2025 electric motorcycle expansion highlights the growing popularity of electric options despite charging infrastructure challenges.
