Dakota County, MN Mobility & Curb Rules: Bike Lane Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Ordinance 107, Sec. 6.8
- Riding zone
- Designated bikeways, roadways, trails only
- Traffic law
- Must comply with Minn. Stat. ch. 169
- Mountain bikes
- Only during posted seasons on trails
- E-bikes
- Governed separately under Sec. 7.4
Summary
Dakota County Ordinance No. 107 confines park bicycling to designated bikeways, roadways, and trails, keeps riders to the right-hand side of the path, bans nuisance or unsafe riding, and defers to Minn. Stat. ch. 169 for traffic law.
Section 6.8 - Bicycling
Bicycling within Dakota County Park property is allowed in designated areas. It shall be unlawful, when in a County Park, for any person to:
1. Operate a bicycle except on designated bikeways, roadways, or trails, and except as close to the right-hand side thereof as conditions will permit; and, for designated mountain bike trails, except during the designated mountain biking seasons which are set and posted by the Parks Department;
2. Operate a bicycle in such a manner so as to create a nuisance or to endanger the safety or property of any park visitor, park employee, or the rider;
3. Operate a bicycle at a speed faster than is reasonable and safe with regard to the safety of the operator and other persons in the immediate area;
4. Operate a bicycle in violation of Minn. Stat. ch. 169; or
5. Park a bicycle except at a bicycle rack when such a rack is provided; in instances where bicycle racks are not provided, bicycles are to be parked where they will not create hazards to the activities of other park visitors or disturb park activities.
Full Breakdown
8, Bicycling, allows bicycling within county park property only in designated areas and lists four unlawful acts. Riders may not operate a bicycle except on designated bikeways, roadways, or trails, and must stay as close to the right-hand side of the path as conditions allow; on designated mountain bike trails, riding is further limited to the mountain biking seasons that the Parks Department sets and posts. The section also bars operating a bicycle in a manner that creates a nuisance or endangers the safety or property of any park visitor, employee, or the rider, and bars speeds faster than reasonable and safe given the operator's and others' safety.
A fourth clause folds in state law directly, making it unlawful to operate a bicycle in violation of Minn. ch. 169, Minnesota's traffic code. Parking is addressed too: bicycles must use a bike rack where one is provided, and where none exists, riders must park so as not to create hazards or disturb other park activities. 4 for rules on e-bikes and other motorized recreational devices, which are treated separately from standard pedal bicycles. This is a park-specific rule under Chapter 6, Recreational Activities, and governs county park trails and roadways rather than public bike lanes on city or county streets outside park boundaries.
Violations & Fines
Park staff can direct a violating rider to leave county park property, and law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction over the park can also cite a rider, including for the incorporated Minn. Stat. ch. 169 traffic violations. Section 8.2 sets penalties for Park Ordinance violations under Minn. Stat. § 398.34. A cited rider can also lose park privileges and face ejection for at least 24 hours, with repeat or serious violations resulting in a park trespass order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ride my bike anywhere in a Dakota County park?
Do state traffic laws apply to bicycling in the parks?
Where do e-bikes fit into the park bicycling rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dakota County
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