Is Lane Splitting (Filtering) legal in your country?

[nzbeeker]

It is here, but even so, many car drivers are still not up to speed on this. When a motorcyclist filters past or around a stationary or slow moving vehicle, many here take it as a personal slight against them and they get offended and put out. Many do not think of it as a safety aspect for the motorcyclist to get out of the traffic and not hold up other traffic.  When a car has a rear ender with another time, still get to have an ok kind of a day, but when it happens with a motorcycle... thats the end of your day.

Consider New Zealand law: https://www.rideforever.co.nz/assets/Uploads/PDFs/ACC7009-RIDEFOREVER-Infosheet-FA.pdf

 

[Ahuvah]

I've wondered that myself - correct me if I'm wrong, but the law on this varies throughout the States of the US. Interesting to note that it is legal here ... and I understand why it's not a bad thing as long as the rider is respecting other drivers as well. 

[New World Explorer]

Yep, they do it all the time, 

I don’t like because my work car got damaged due to motorcycle trying to manoeuvre between vehicles. 

There should be a seperate lane for motorcycle drivers...but hey we are not in Paradise yet, LOL 

BIG mambo jumbo in this world. 

[nzbeeker]

3 hours ago, Stormswift said:

note that it is legal here

It is legal here, so long as it is covered by passing laws. Riders need to exercise all kinds of caution still. 

[ChrisC]

I haven’t driven for years but in slow moving traffic I would specifically check my side mirror for this and even move a little to the left to give the rider more room and let them know I had seen them. (UK)

 

[tekmantwo]

When I rode I split lanes all the time, that's one of the advantages of riding.

 

My personal rule was that I would not split lanes if car traffic was over 35 miles per hour, and when I did split, I stayed around 15 or 20mph.

I also kept my bikes in good shape and quiet, I didn't want to startle anyone with a loud bike seemingly appearing out of nowhere. Yoshimura performance tuned exhaust systems are pretty quiet..

 

When in the car I constantly check my mirrors and move over when I see a bike approaching. 

 

I always appreciated it when someone moved over for me, and I usually waved a 'thanks' to them...I'm sure that other riders appreciate me moving over for them, I get a whole hand wave when I do....

[nzbeeker]

8 minutes ago, tekmantwo said:

My personal rule was that I would not split lanes if car traffic was over 35 miles per hour, and when I did split, I stayed around 15 or 20mph.

That is one of the criteria discussed in the rules on passing here: https://www.rideforever.co.nz/assets/Uploads/PDFs/ACC7009-RIDEFOREVER-Infosheet-FA.pdf

Lane splitting falls under passing rules here.

[Qapla]

Where I live in Florida it is NOT legal. In fact, a motorcycle is considered to be a "full lane user" and should be riding in the left side of a single lane ... however, they are not supposed to ride between cars that are also "full lane users" - since, when they do, they are taking the car's right-of-way.

 

As to what happens when a motorcycle is hit from behind ... well they don't fare too well when they are knocked over from the side by a car that is changing lanes and did not see them or crushed between two cars that do not stay far enough apart for the cycle to fit either.

 

As far as "legal" ... well, it is not legal to follow too closely regardless if you are following a car or a cycle ... so, if people drive legally they would not hit a cycle from behind - and if they do, they are breaking the law just as much as the cycle is when they zoom in between cars at an intersection "splitting lanes/filtering".

[well]

Everybody do it here... Cars, motorcycles, and even passer by

[New World Explorer]

On 11/19/2019 at 9:27 AM, nzbeeker said:

It is legal here, so long as it is covered by passing laws. Riders need to exercise all kinds of caution still. 

Reality is that not everyone is thoughtful and considerate like you. 

[nzbeeker]

12 hours ago, Qapla said:

Where I live in Florida it is NOT legal. In fact, a motorcycle is considered to be a "full lane user" and should be riding in the left side of a single lane ... however, they are not supposed to ride between cars that are also "full lane users" - since, when they do, they are taking the car's right-of-way.

 

As to what happens when a motorcycle is hit from behind ... well they don't fare too well when they are knocked over from the side by a car that is changing lanes and did not see them or crushed between two cars that do not stay far enough apart for the cycle to fit either.

 

As far as "legal" ... well, it is not legal to follow too closely regardless if you are following a car or a cycle ... so, if people drive legally they would not hit a cycle from behind - and if they do, they are breaking the law just as much as the cycle is when they zoom in between cars at an intersection "splitting lanes/filtering".

All true. Have been on the receiving end of a lane changer. The full lane user rule is noted, and have see this (on YouTube) in some States. You are quite right... if laws are followed, it is not a problem.  Here, it is under passing laws and only at very low speeds of around 30kms: https://www.rideforever.co.nz/assets/Uploads/PDFs/ACC7009-RIDEFOREVER-Infosheet-FA.pdf

[nzbeeker]

9 hours ago, New World Explorer said:

Reality is that not everyone is thoughtful and considerate like you. 

Hahaha, I have been riding for 37 years. In that time, I have had three rather spectacular accidents. I ride like no one can see me and take full responsibility for not getting hit. Following distance, indicating, getting out of the way of other road users.  Everyone is out to get me, so I watch very carefully, other road user’s body language.