Lane splitting and lane filtering: The states where it’s legal for motorcycles

Minnesota has become the second state to allow lane splitting by motorcyclists but with rules substantially tighter than California s Related Articles Golden Gate Bridge tolls fares increase at present Driver killed in fiery weekend crash in Walnut Creek Pedestrian left in critical condition after collision near San Jose airport Woman who died after hitting a tree in the East Bay is identified Three-car overnight freeway crash on I- near I- kills one In addition to the lane-splitting states four other states allow what they call lane filtering What s the difference Lane filtering means motorcyclists can drive between cars that are stopped or in Montana moving very slowly With lane splitting the practice is allowed when cars are moving What does California s law say The law that took effect in attempted to codify practices that had generally been allowed by the California Highway Patrol Early versions of Assembly Bill specified speeds at which a motorcyclist could legally ride between lanes but those restrictions were deleted in favor of allowing the CHP to develop educational guidelines relating to lane splitting In a handout titled Lane Splitting General Guidelines the CHP advised that motorcyclists split lanes only when car traffic is going less than mph and that they ride no more than mph faster than the cars they are passing It also notes that the law allows motorcyclists to move between lanes to the front of traffic stopped at a light The agency s the greater part current webpage on the topic makes a minimal stipulations in regard to legality The motorcycle must have two wheels on the ground Riding on the shoulder is illegal People in cars cannot open a door or take other measures to impede a lane-splitter What are the other states laws Minnesota Allows motorcyclists to drive between lanes at no more than mph over the speed of other traffic with a maximum speed of mph The law which took effect on July bars the practice in roundabouts and school zones and on freeway on-ramps Montana Though the regulation refers to the practice as lane filtering it allows passing when traffic is moving as fast as mph The motorcyclist must not exceed mph Colorado Traffic is stopped and the motorcyclist must not exceed mph Utah and Arizona Traffic is stopped on a road with a speed limit of mph or less motorcyclist must not exceed mph