PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Oregon 'lane splitting' bill would allow motorcyclists to travel between lanes of traffic; A similar bill passed in 2021 but was vetoed by then-Gov. If you’ve ever been startled out of the doldrums of your afternoon commute by a thundering, lane-splitting Harley Davidson and cursed whoever is responsible, you’re not alone. Utah and Montana have legalized it more recently, although the exact parameters differ somewhat from state to state. As of the time of writing, lane splitting is illegal in Illinois. The state’s Assembly Bill 51, introduced in 2016, defined lane splitting and provided guidelines, allowing motorcyclists to safely lane split at speeds not exceeding. Utah and Montana allow motorcycles to do something similar to lane splitting in very restricted conditions. Table of Contents. In Minnesota, lane splitting is not explicitly illegal, but is not recommended by the state’s Department of Public Safety. First, not only is lane-sharing or lane-splitting legal in California, but the CHP wrote the safety guidelines as instructed in AB51, which was approved by. There are 10 states where it's not specifically legal or banned. What states is lane splitting legal in 2021? Currently, the only state that. His offices are located at 235 Montgomery St. FILTERING, lane-splitting, whatever you want to call it - it’s legal in some places, tolerated in others, and outright banned in some countries. 149, 2018) were the first two states to codify and sign lane separation or lane filtering laws. Although it was never “illegal,” the state of California enacted house bill AB 51 to officially make lane splitting legal. Lane splitting is illegal in most other states in the United. Lane filtering is allowed in Arizona, but only in certain conditions. Lane filtering bills have been a hot topic in the Oregon state house for years, but in 2021, SB 574 passed both the Senate and the House. Currently, lane splitting is only legal in a handful of US states. Lane splitting is the practice of riding your motorcycle between lanes of slowed or stopped traffic. 9, which “allows the operator of a two-wheeled motorcycle to overtake stopped or slow-moving vehicles at a speed. Previous Attempts at Lane Splitting Legislation in Texas Lane splitting is legal in some states and illegal in others. This law permits filtering at up to 20 mph (32 km/h) between vehicles that are stopped or moving at up. The bill: * passed full Senate and House floor votes, with 3-to-1 bipartisan majorities * had 17 sponsors, with a nearly even split of Democrats and Republicans, House and Senate, from rural, urban, and suburban districtsThe Current Legal Status of Lane Splitting in Texas. Utah followed suit in 2019. Only California specifically articulates that lane splitting is legal. The state forbids lane splitting in Part 1, Title XIV, Chapter 89, Section 4A of its General Laws, saying that vehicle operators must ride entirely in a single lane on any road with two or more lanes. Lane filtering (or lane splitting as it’s called in the US) is only legal in California. In the absence of a specific law, the practice of lane splitting is governed by the general rules of the road and the principles of safe driving. Filtering in Utah became legal in May. The motorcyclist must be: On a road with a speed limit of 45 mph or less, Not going faster than 15 mph, See full list on rideapart. Lane splitting is legal in the states of California, Arizona, and Nevada. Efforts to legalize and officially recognize lane filtering/splitting will be considered in three more states during the 2021 legislature. No, lane splitting is not legal in Michigan. Lane splitting is only permitted in the state of California. It is illegal in all other. The other vehicles must be fully stopped, and you can’t go any faster than 45 mph. Examples would be improper passing, unlawful lane use, reckless driving, ect. State of California David S Kim, Secretary California State Transportation Agency Steve Gordon, Director. Injured? Lane splitting, also known as filtering, is the process of riding a motorcycle or bicycle between the lanes of traffic on a highway. Back in 2021, a similar piece of legislation called Senate Bill 574 reached then-Gov. The truth is, there is no specific law in Texas that prohibits lane splitting. On October 1, 2021, Montana became the 3rd state to legalize lane splitting with the passing of S. state to allow lane splitting is California. A surprisingly low number of states allow for lane splitting. Several other U. Is Lane Splitting Legal in Wisconsin? Also known as white lining, lane splitting is the act of riding a motorcycle between lanes or rows of stopped or slow-moving traffic moving in one direction. Lane splitting is allowed on motorways, on roads with separated lanes for the opposing directions and two lanes into each direction and where the speed limit is above or equal to 70 km/h. Under New York State laws, motorcyclists are permitted to the full use of a lane. In all of these states, there are some restrictions on when and how lane. The State of Illinois does not have any specific lane-splitting law in the books, but standard right-of-way laws do prohibit it. So far, the only state that explicitly allows lane splitting is California. Motorcyclists may filter between two-lanes of traffic when the surrounding traffic has come to a complete standstill. However, as of March 3, 2021, Montana is the third state in the U. Laws on lane splitting (sometimes called lane sharing, lane filtering, shoulder surfing) vary from state to state. Lane-splitting is also called “lane-sharing” or “filtering. For example, lane splitting in Hawaii is illegal because of narrow roads, but motorcycle riders can pass on the shoulder lane if traffic is at a standstill. to legally recognize lane filtering for motorcycles. By Aghabegian & Associates on November 17, 2021. Presently, it’s only the state of California that allows motorcycles to lane split. However, it is legal to split a lane with a fellow motorbike rider. 2021, will go into effect. Drivers in the far left lane should move to the left of their lane to give motorcyclists ample room to pass. California’s rule, which was passed in 2016, permits motorcyclists to switch lanes if they drive less than 50 miles per hour and the speed disparity between the motorcycle and. Breaking lane-splitting laws in Louisiana can result in fines, traffic citations for reckless driving, jail time, or even more. Lane Splitting Laws in Arkansas: 6. Likewise, in Utah, the state. Noise Restriction Laws in Arkansas: 4. Ultimately, lane splitting should only be done in states where it is legal, and any motorcyclist who attempts this should use the utmost care in completing the maneuver. In the state of Illinois, lane splitting is in. Experts in this state do recommend that motorcyclists only go ten miles per hour above the speed of the surrounding traffic and that they avoid lane splitting over speeds of 30 miles per hour. Experts in this state do recommend that motorcyclists only go ten miles per hour above the speed of the surrounding traffic and that they avoid lane splitting over speeds of 30 miles per hour. Lane splitting is a term to describe a motorcycle passing between lanes of adjacent slower-moving traffic. 149, 2018) were the first two states to codify and sign lane-splitting or lane-filtering legislation. In particular, driving on the shoulder – proposed for legalization along with lane. Many motorcycle riders in the United States, including North Carolina, use this maneuver to bypass traffic jams. Arizona passed a law that goes into effect in September of 2022, and Montana enacted its lane-splitting law in 2021. New Mexico Lane Splitting Laws. PLAN AHEAD! Complete the online driver license/. (Senate Bill 1273) Arkansas. The Oregon state senate is taking another crack at a lane splitting bill in 2021. 2021, will go into effect. For more information, please call (800) 928-1511. Filtering in Utah became legal in May. Lane splitting is legal in a number of states across the US. ” New York is far from the only state that bans lane splitting, and several other states don’t have any laws about it on their books. S. On March 21, 2023, after the third reading of SB 422 A in the Oregon state senate, it passed with that new amendment intact (hence the addition of the A at the end of the bill number). While motorcyclists are more likely to be injured in an accident, drivers or passengers of other vehicles may also be injured in a high-speed collision or an. 1905 Lana Avenue NE. You also cannot ride on the shoulder of the road. , only California allowed the practice for many years, though it was not legally sanctioned until 2016. This bill allows motorcyclists to lane split to overtake stopped or slow vehicles as long as:On March 3, 2021, Montana became only the 3rd state to legalize lane splitting when Greg Gianforte signed Senate Bill 9 into law. Lane splitting is not legal in Kansas. In California, former Gov. While Arkansas law does not explicitly mention lane splitting, you can assume this practice is not permitted in Arkansas. However for legislation to be passed recognizing lane splitting, advocates will have to look ahead to the 2021 legislative session. Gjelten September 4, 2023, 3:51 pmThe debate over lane-splitting is contentious, to say the least. As traffic increases on state highways, some motorcyclists find themselves stuck in traffic jams that they believe could be avoided if. Kentucky, like the other remaining states, does not mention lane splitting in any traffic. Some states have no laws either for or against it. In 2016, the Colorado House Committee shot down. You might not associate Montana with. As of now, lane splitting is not explicitly legal or illegal in Hawaii. Why Is Lane-Splitting Illegal in NYC? NYC isn’t alone in outlawing lane-splitting. What states allow lane splitting 2021? Currently, the only state that explicitly allows lane splitting is California. While numerous states have tried for years to establish criteria to make lane splitting acceptable in some instances, only California has passed laws making it legal. For many years, California was the only state where lane sharing was explicitly legal. Laws on lane splitting (sometimes called lane sharing, lane filtering, shoulder surfing) vary from state to state. Lane splitting is currently illegal in many states. Illinois law does not specifically allow the practice, but it does not specifically prohibit it either. Merging Vehicles. Lane split in stopped or creeping traffic. 3d 763 (10th Cir. Lane Splitting Lane splitting, or riding between lanes of traffic, is a common cause of motorcycle accidents. [1] [2] It is sometimes called whitelining, or stripe-riding. California is the only state where lane splitting is legal. To view state trends, hover over a state or use the filter to view changes to the map by. is no. While there is no specific law that prohibits lane sharing in the state of Ohio, it becomes an issue because it breaks other existing traffic laws. DMV - Transportation Safety Office. Assembly Bill No. Riders of motorcycles can also drive in the opposite lane as other vehicles in order to pass them or get ahead of them. 3 11. The law allows two-wheeled motorbike riders to pass other cars in the same lane and direction of travel if they are going at 15 miles per hour or less. On March 21, 2023, after the third reading of SB 422 A in the Oregon state senate, it passed with that new amendment intact (hence the addition of the A at the end of the bill number). In Texas motorcycle riders are not allowed to split lanes in any situation. While HB 4122 outlawed lane splitting in Texas, on the flip side it made it legal for two motorcyclists to ride together in the. Still, Hawaii, Montana, Arizona, and Utah have modified versions of the. that currently allow lane splitting. There is no universal law in the United States that allows lane splitting, but individual states have their own laws that allow the practice in someNo, lane splitting is legal in Arizona despite a new Arizona law addressing lane filtering. Like in 47 other states, it's illegal in Arizona for motorcyclists to roll through the space between lanes of traffic, commonly known as lane splitting. With the passage of SB 9 in Montana earlier this month, motorcyclists will be able to legally lane-split throughout the state under certain conditions starting October 1, 2021. States Where Lane Splitting Is Legal. In California, lane splitting is only allowed when surrounding traffic is moving at 30 mph or less. 608 very specifically says that “No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles. Lane Splitting is Illegal in New York. Schroeder's maneuver, known as lane filtering or lane splitting, was legalized in Montana two years ago, when the Legislature passed Senate Bill 9. It is also commonly referred to as filtering. The state doesn’t allow lane splitting but you can’t ride on the shoulder of the road when traffic is heavy. Doug Ducey has signed a law legalizing lane filtering after the bill cruised through both the Senate and House chambers with strong bipartisan support. However, since lane-splitting is regarded as unsafe, it may be challenging to make a successful claim without legal help from experienced Missouri motorcycle accident attorneys. 2 MV Agusta F4 LH44. This means that any type of lane splitting is. Lane splitting is legal in some states, while it is illegal in others. Lane splitting has been debated in Oregon, and there was even a recent bill proposed in the Oregon legislature that passed a preliminary hearing in 2019. Additionally, motorcyclists cannot overtake another vehicle within the same lane, which means that lane splitting is illegal in our state. In Section 545. Legal Restrictions: Just like lane splitting, the legality of lane filtering varies by location. 1. As of 2022, California is the first and only state to make lane splitting explicitly legal, and before that, it was a respected practice. Lane sharing means that a motorcyclist is allowed to share lanes with another motorcycle rider riding in the same lane. No, lane splitting in Pennsylvania is not allowed. This means that each state gets to decide what motorist behaviors are legal or not. Senate Bill 574 would have legalized a limited form of motorcycle lane filtering in Oregon. In Texas, there is no law specific to lane splitting. Before this law, it was generally accepted that lane splitting was illegal in the state of Mississippi. If you have been injured as a result of lane splitting, you may want to consult with a local attorney as soon as possible. Utah uses the term lane filtering to describe the practice and defines it thusly: “Lane filtering” means, when operating a motorcycle other than an autocycle, the act of overtaking and passing another vehicle that is stopped in the same direction of travel in the same lane. A new law here may come down to the battle of the experts. California was the first to legalize the maneuver in 2013, and a few other states have followed suit. California is the only state in America to make white lining legal officially. Lane splitting is considered a moving violation that can result in a ticket. In fact, California is the only U. The Oregon State Legislature 2023 Regular Session recently saw the introduction of SB 422, a new bipartisan bill that would legalize some lane filtering. Still, Hawaii, Montana, Arizona, and Utah have modified versions of the law that allow motorcyclists to drive between lanes when traffic is stopped. While lane splitting is common in many countries worldwide, the United States leaves traffic laws in the hands of each state. The state is committed to reducing the number of motorcycle fatalities on the roads by enforcing laws that are designed for safety. This means that if the court determines that the motorcyclist is at fault to any degree — even 1% — that person cannot seek any financial recovery. THE LEGAL DEFINITION OF LANE SPLITTING. Only California directly permits lane splitting. Legal. Just because it doesn't specifically state "lane splitting" doesn't mean the act wouldn't fall under a different statute. Here in Springfield, a rider slipped between two moving cars sparking the question. Additionally, motorcyclists are not permitted to overtake other vehicles in the same lane of traffic; they must only pass in separate lanes. Lane splitting on the other hand, is the act of moving at an unsafe speed of 30km/h or more past slow-moving or stationary vehicles. You can only lane split if: You’re going 20 mph or less. Lane-splitting is the practice of a motorcyclist riding between two lanes or rows of slowly moving or stopped traffic. So far, only California has definitively legalized lane splitting/filtering. The bill authorizes the. Senate Bill 5378 (SB 5378) would allow lane-splitting only during slow traffic conditions - up to 10mph faster than the flow of traffic, but no faster than 25 mph - and only on numbered highways. New York’s Lane Splitting Laws. However, Kansas does allow two motorcycles to ride side by side in one single lane of traffic, which is called lane sharing. Lane filtering is also illegal in Georgia, though there have been many petitions to make this practice legal. First, not only is lane-sharing or lane-splitting legal in California, but the CHP wrote the safety guidelines as instructed in AB51, which was approved by. Nevertheless, riders under age 18 must always wear a helmet, per Section 265:122 of the State of New Hampshire Revised Statutes. Motorcyclists may ride the line between the two lanes to get to the front of the line, but the motorcycle rider may travel no faster than. not only is lane sharing or lane splitting legal in California but the CHP wrote the safety guidelines as instructed in AB51, which was approved by Gov. to make lane splitting legal officially. Lane splitting is an illegal motorcycle maneuver that could result in traffic fines and citations. Under Senate Bill 574, motorcycle riders could travel between lanes of traffic to avoid congestion on multilane highways. Lane splitting is illegal in the state of West Virginia, just as it is in every other state except for California. Those states are Arizona, Montana, and Utah. In 2016, the Colorado legislature attempted to pass HB 16-1205, which would have legalized lane splitting in limited situations. Lane splitting is legal in some states, while it is illegal in others. However, this does not mean that it is legal. Lane splitting is illegal. 9,. In comparison, Utah allows riders to filter through stopped traffic at up to 45 mph, so long as there are multiple lanes. In 2021, that number capped at 592. A motorcyclist could face a traffic infraction if they are caught splitting lanes in Colorado. The lack of legislation on this issue leaves room for interpretation and enforcement by law enforcement officers. 9. A handful of states have legalized lane filtering. In the remaining states, lane splitting isn't recognized as a legal maneuver, but it's not explicitly banned. The law goes on to say that motorcycles cannot ride between lanes of traffic or between adjacent rows of vehicles. Lane splitting, also known as “white lining” and even “lane filtering” in some regions, is a practice where a motorcyclist rides their bike between lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic on a multi-lane road. In spite of this, there are very stringent laws on lane splitting in the United States, and people often wonder if lane splitting is legal in California. It is not true, however, to say that lane splitting is legal in California. The short answer is no, Colorado law forbids lane splitting for all drivers. That said, the reason lane splitting is illegal. Safety Equipment LawsThe police state that lane splitting reduces the time Californians spend in traffic, and if the practice were banned, traffic would worsen substantially. Lane filtering, also known as lane splitting, is a technique used by motorcyclists to safely navigate through slow-moving or stationary traffic. As of the time of writing, lane splitting is illegal in Illinois. Examples would be improper passing, unlawful lane use, reckless driving, ect. By: Janaki Jitchotvisut. 2. Lane-splitting is the act of riding a motorcycle in between lanes of slow or stopped traffic. In states where lane splitting is illegal, motorcyclists may be subject to fines or other punishments for breaking the law. It’s essential to notice that in Canada and almost all the United States (aside from California, and three different states) – lane splitting is uniformly prohibited. Lane splitting must be done at a speed that respects posted speed limits and. Lane filtering, a similar practice, describes riding the stripe between lanes of stopped traffic. Under no circumstances is lane splitting allowed in New Mexico. The. She vetoed that bill, citing concerns about public safety and compliance issues. Currently, the only state that explicitly allows lane splitting is California. If you have been injured as a result of lane splitting, you may want to consult with a local attorney as soon as possible. As of 2022, a handful of states have legalized some form of lane sharing. Riding in between lanes (lane splitting) is not allowed and is illegal. Lane-splitting is when a motorcycle is allowed to share a lane with motorists in traveling in the same direction. For example, when traffic is standing still at an intersection, the cyclist may travel between traffic to move safely up the lane. However, about a dozen states have refused to weigh in with an opinion on the matter. ”. The short answer is yes. Operators must be at least 16 years old and have obtained a Class M endorsement on their driver’s license to operate a motorcycle on public roads. Bills proposed in other states have similar guidelines, though none have attracted enough support to get anywhere. In Texas, drivers are required to remain within a single lane of traffic. Lane filtering is legal in four states, lane splitting in one. California law allows lane splitting only when the surrounding traffic is moving at 30 mph or less. In Utah, filtering through traffic is only permitted under certain conditions. A few years ago, California passed a law that allows. California was the first to legalize the maneuver in 2013, and a few other states have followed suit. It’s important to note that in Canada and nearly all of the United States (apart from California, and three other states) – lane splitting is uniformly prohibited. Lane splitting occurs when a motorcycle rides at any speed between two lanes of stopped traffic. state to allow lane splitting; the practice is currently prohibited throughout the rest of the. No, lane splitting is not legal in Illinois. Mechanical FailureDecember 10, 2022 by Barack. Lane change instruction improper if no evidence of unsafety. ”The first state to permit lane splitting is California. 115). California was, for decades, the only state that allowed lane splitting. As mentioned earlier, while this practice is not legal in Pennsylvania, it doesn’t seem to stop motorcyclists from doing it. Currently, California is the only state where lane splitting is legal. In states where lane splitting is legal, there are specific guidelines developed by legislators or police that discuss how this practice should be carried out. Lane splitting is legal in some states, and illegal in others. 1. In states where lane splitting is not legal or illegal, the police officer responding to the scene of the accident may determine who was at fault for causing the collision in their report. Lane splitting is when a motorcyclist rides between two lanes of moving traffic heading in the same direction, whereas lane filtering is when a motorcyclist rides. Lane splitting to create more personal space becomes threatening as it can lead to serious motorcycle accidents. That doesn’t mean it’s “legal,” per se, but it is not mentioned in statutes or explicitly outlawed. Opening a vehicle door to impede a motorcyclist is illegal. California is the. It is also referred to as filtering, stripe riding, or lane sharing. However, just because this practice is legal doesn’t mean that motorcyclists can blast by you at high speed. Texas Lane Splitting Laws. However, because lane splitting is not legal in Illinois, this maneuver should not be practiced by any motorcyclist within the state. In the Michigan Vehicle Code Section 257. The weather and road conditions permit safe and reasonable. Per Illinois statute 625 ILCS §5/11-703 (c), any person operating a two-wheeled vehicle such as a motorcycle, moped, or. Whether you're a new motorcycle rider or are a recent Florida transplant, all riders should know that an action known as "lane-splitting" is illegal in the state. In the United States, lane splitting is only legal in a few states, including California, Utah, and Montana. These are Georgia, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, and Washington. In 2021, there were over 8,000 motorcycle accidents in Florida with over 500 people dying in a crash. Is lane-splitting legal in Ga 2021?California was the first state to allow lane-splitting for motorcyclists. The state classifies lane splitting as “lane filtering” and is legal in certain situations. Oklahoma. (COLORADO) – The Colorado State Patrol is sending a clear reminder to motorcycle riders that lane splitting is illegal in Colorado. Salem, OR 97314-0001. Hawaii. If you’ve ever been startled out of the doldrums of your afternoon commute by a thundering, lane-splitting Harley Davidson and cursed whoever is responsible, you’re not alone. Is lane splitting legal outside of NC? Other states, including California, Montana, and Utah, have laws allowing motorcyclists to move between vehicles on the road, but with specific regulations. Mar 30, 2022. This new standard was established in 2016, although lane splitting was informally allowed in the years prior to the change. Several other states do not allow lane splitting but allow similar behaviors. By: Janaki Jitchotvisut. The state House of Representatives on Monday gave its blessing to Senate Bill 574, a proposal that allows motorcyclists to drive. Lane splitting is, as stated in California’s AB 51: “driving a motorcycle, as defined in Section 400, that has two wheels in contact with the ground, between rows of stopped or moving vehicles. Lane splitting is not particularly legal in the United States. The only time that motorcyclists are not obligated to remain in. His offices are located at 235 Montgomery St. Borcich, 460 F. S. In Utah, filtering through traffic is only permitted under certain conditions. But regardless of what commuters think about lane-splitting and filtering, it does become legal in certain circumstances this weekend. In most states, lane splitting is illegal, and can result in a ticket or even arrest. It’s worth noting that lane splitting is legal in many other countries, including most. In 2016, Gov. It increases the risk of collisions with other vehicles. In response to California’s AB-51, lane splitting is outlined as “a motorbike. In states where lane splitting is illegal, motorcyclists may be subject to fines or other punishments for breaking the law. 61. However, under House Bill 917, it will be legal for motorcycles to go between lanes, provided that they run at five to 15 mph above the surrounding traffic. For this reason, out-of-state bikers operating in Ohio need to be ready to follow the local rules. According to an Oregon Legislature analysis, there are 11 other states where lane splitting is prohibited: Arkansas, Delaware, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio. Lane sharing of any kind is expressly prohibited in 34 states, including New York and Florida. Arizona became the 4th state to make lane filtering legal for motorcycles in 2022. While this law falls under the purview of each state, only California has currently made it legal. by: Dara Bitler. The current bill now moves to the House for consideration. For example,. In states with less freeway traffic, lane-splitting doesn’t need to be legal. Arizona became the 4th state to make lane filtering legal for motorcycles in 2022. This typically happens at stop lights. The topic of lane splitting is a controversial one. In California, for example, lane splitting is allowed when traffic is moving at a speed of less than 50 miles per hour and the motorcycle is traveling no more than 10 miles per hour faster than the cars it is passing. Lane splitting is illegal in. They are:If you or a loved one suffered injuries in an accident with a lane-splitting motorcyclist, the experienced attorneys at Labrum Law can determine whether you have a case. Montana bill S. Helmet Laws In Arkansas: 2. Lane splitting is legal only in a single state in the United States. They are on the road with a speed limit of 45 miles per hour or less and believe the move is safe. However, there is no clear path forward for a lane splitting bill to become law in this state. This new standard was established in 2016, although lane splitting was informally allowed in the years prior to the change. Lane filtering is only acceptable in Arizona under. Lane splitting is where a motorcycle rider moves past vehicles at more than 30km/h. Lane splitting has been legal in California for many years. As for safety, I can show you a study proving. California recommends only splitting lanes when traffic is slow, and you keep your speed within 10 mph of surrounding traffic. The only state where lane splitting is allowed is California. Zach Courts. S. In Utah, lane filtering (a form of lane splitting where riders move to the front of a line of. In 2021, Montana became the third state in the country to allow a form of lane splitting known as lane filtering. While this legislation is generally worded for cars, a strict interpretation makes lane-splitting for motorcyclists illegal. 55 of the Ohio Revised Code, which is where you can find these rules, allows for two motorcycles to ride side by side within one lane. California is currently the only state in which it is legal to engage in lane splitting. There are also a number of California is the only state where lane splitting is legal. California is the only state that expressly permits lane splitting, while some states don’t address it, leaving it to be interpreted through other statutes. Lane splitting, where a motorcycle weaves between two lanes of cars, is illegal in most states. Intentionally blocking or impeding a motorcyclist in a way that could cause harm to the rider is illegal. In Massachusetts, motorcyclists may not use the same. Salem, OR 97314-0001. The states we discussed above all have laws specifically governing the circumstances under which lane splitting is legal. California. Several other states do not allow lane splitting but allow similar behaviors. California law allows lane splitting only when the surrounding traffic is moving at 30 mph or less. S. While lane splitting remains legal in California, the relevant legislative bills for sharing lanes are still pending approval in many other states like Connecticut, Maryland, and UtahNo, lane splitting is not legal in Oklahoma. You also can't lane split near freeway exits or ramps. The CHP’s guidelines state that motorcyclists should only split the lane when. A few years ago, California passed a law that allows some degree of lane splitting to prevent gridlock. Arizona is the most recent state to legalize lane filtering, allowing motorcyclists to go past stopped vehicles in the same direction. Lane filtering became legal in 2021 for motorcyclists under the following circumstances:. Motorcycle lane splitting is broadly legal in California, and legal in Utah, Arizona and Montana under specific circumstances. New York’s Lane Splitting Laws. Only California directly permits lane splitting. Lane splitting is currently illegal in many states. Jerry Brown in 2016. Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland, has introduced a bill that would require the Colorado Department of. Motorcyclists may split a lane of traffic to move past slower-moving vehicles. Currently reconsidering its state laws governing lane splitting. Can motorcycles split lanes? It depends on the state! Here is a COMPLETE guide go lane splitting legal states containing AZ & Montanan + federal in each state. For more information, please call (800) 928-1511. Lane Splitting in Florida. In my city, Seattle, I actually see a lot of bikers lane-splitting on the freeway. Kate Brown's desk. Texas allows motorcyclists to share lanes, meaning that it is legal for two motorcyclists to ride side-by. RCW 46. Lane splitting in Utah. It involves riding between lanes or rows of vehicles on the right side of the lane, moving faster than the surrounding traffic. A bill to legalize lane splitting passed the legislature in 2021 with bipartisan support, but then-Gov. UC Berkeley’s Safe Transportation Research and Education Center was able to analyze data on over 6,000 motorcycle-involved collisions reported to the California Highway Patrol. Lane splitting, however, is prohibited. Many drivers are under the misconception that lane splitting is illegal, when in fact, it’s legal in the state. California was the first state to allow it and passed a formal law at the beginning of 2017.