Topic: Lane Filtering Legalised for New South Wales

[Frostyboy]

I sure hope Queensland will see it the same way here.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-27/motorcycle-lane-filtering-to-be-legal-in-nsw/5287440

Motorcycle lane filtering to be legalised in NSW to reduce traffic congestion, says Roads Minister Duncan Gay

New South Wales motorcyclists will be the first in the country to be legally allowed to lane filter, driving between cars caught in traffic on multi-lane roads.

The practice, also known as lane splitting, is common elsewhere in the world but Australian riders can currently be penalised by police.

NSW Transport Minister Duncan Gay says the shift is part of a package of changes to ease road congestion and improve motorcycle safety.

"We held a successful trial in Sydney CBD last year of motorcyclists being exempt from existing lane filtering laws in an attempt to ease road congestion and measure potential safety issues for other road users," he said.

"As a result of the trial we will introduce a new law that will permit fully licensed motorcyclists to legally filter past stationary vehicles at intersections when it is safe to do so.

"Riders will be able to filter at a speed limit of 30 kilometres per hour. It is important to note the new law will not apply to school zones during hours of operation where there might be an increase in pedestrian activity."

Motorcyclists will still be banned from filtering around trucks and buses, from travelling left of cars in the kerbside lane and from travelling in breakdown lanes.

A new offence will be created for riders who lane filter at speeds over 30kph.

"Filtering at high speeds is dangerous and will increase the crash risk for motorcycle riders and other roads users, particularly cyclists and pedestrians," Mr Gay said.

"The new rule changes will give us the opportunity to communicate with riders so they better understand the risks involved with lane filtering and educate them on safe filtering practice."

Christopher Burns from the Motorcycle Council of NSW says riders are doing motorists a favour by lane filtering because it reduces traffic congestion.

"Duncan Gay... should be applauded for this commonsense move," he said.

"The benefits of lane filtering have been internationally recognised as a solution to traffic congestion in built-up areas."

Motorcyclists argue lane filtering is also safer for riders because it reduces the chances of them being rear-ended.

[Operator]

That is awesome, I really missed it when I moved back to Canada from Germany....it just makes sense....Congratulations to New South Wales!!

[calj737]

I have traveled in many states that allow this and have witnessed riders take advantage of this provision. I wonder how safe it is? Is there any evidence of reduced or increased accidents for riders? Or is it equal?

Not passing any judgement, just curious. I don't know that I have the stones to ride in the way I see other riders do, especially in places like California where they don't appear to have the speed restriction on filtering.

[flybox1]

I was sure jealous of all the riders 'lane splitting' past me while stuck in a car during Los Angeles, CA traffic 

[Duanob]

Dumbest idea ever except for no helmet laws.

[goldarrow]

I was sure jealous of all the riders 'lane splitting' past me while stuck in a car during Los Angeles, CA traffic 

Lane splitting shortened my commute from 2 hours to 1 hour

[LesterPiglet]

Great idea, weave  had it for years. As long as it's below a certain speed.

[dave500]

watch for opening car doors if its a traffic jam,some dick will want to get out and try to see what the hold up is?

[Bailgang]

watch for opening car doors if its a traffic jam,some dick will want to get out and try to see what the hold up is?

Or some dick may open the door just to be a dick when they see you coming. That more than anything makes me shy away from lane filtering.

[LesterPiglet]

Just claim for damages. You will only be travelling around 10MPH. I think the car door would come off worse.

[jamesb]

We don't have that here in kansas but they did pass a dead red law. Where a motorcyclists can run a red light legally if it is safe to do so. So no more sitting in turn lanes waiting for someone to come up behind you to help trigger the light.  I always thought lane splitting could be scary

[LesterPiglet]

You've got to realise the other traffic is either stopped or crawling. What's scary about it?

[Retro Rocket]

Dumbest idea ever except for no helmet laws.

Really, go back and read the conditions set, we've had a few members here hit whilst stationary sitting behind traffic at lights, this will help stop that, its not lane splitting while traffic is moving, its when traffic is stopped, done it all my life, I would rather be in front of traffic than stuck in the middle of it waiting for some arsehole to run me down from behind or change lanes on me, seen that too...

You've got to realise the other traffic is either stopped or crawling. What's scary about it?

Nothing at all unless your not a good enough rider to trust yourself to do it safely, thats why its being restricted to open licence holders, not noobs...

[AJK]

People have been lane splitting for years, mainly because its common sense & just works. Sure, the drivers might not like it, buts that's only because they are the ones at the end of the queue. On the whole, it leads to less congestion (whatever that means for me in Sydney). Finally the law has seen this, & that is welcomed.
  I'd just love to see more bikes on the road and less cars with 1 person in them.

[faux fiddy]

We don't have that here in kansas but they did pass a dead red law. Where a motorcyclists can run a red light legally if it is safe to do so. So no more sitting in turn lanes waiting for someone to come up behind you to help trigger the light.  I always thought lane splitting could be scary

Left turn on red in OK on MC. As long as you don't kill yourself doing it.

[Operator]

Dumbest idea ever except for no helmet laws.

Really, go back and read the conditions set, we've had a few members here hit whilst stationary sitting behind traffic at lights, this will help stop that, its not lane splitting while traffic is moving, its when traffic is stopped, done it all my life, I would rather be in front of traffic than stuck in the middle of it waiting for some arsehole to run me down from behind or change lanes on me, seen that too...

You've got to realise the other traffic is either stopped or crawling. What's scary about it?

Nothing at all unless your not a good enough rider to trust yourself to do it safely, thats why its being restricted to open licence holders, not noobs...

+1

[Frostyboy]

I'll admit to having done a fair bit of filtering over the years, but nothing in the world could compare to this guy!!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDE23vdy_5Q&feature=player_embedded#t=0

[dave500]

man thats just insane!too much coffee?

[kiwikk]

Why does the primary advantage of having a motorcycle need a name at all let alone one implying an antisocial activity and a law to limit it?
I for one would certainly not be prepared to sit on my bike in a line of commuter traffic in the pissing down freezing rain, late for work. I'd imagine the car drivers would be laughing their warm dry socks off (and rightly so)
I don't 'lane split' to piss off car drivers. I do it to cut down my travelling time.
If I lived somewhere where I wasn't allowed to do it, I'd probably be in a car (or I'd carry on doing it illegally)

I still can't believe there are riders who think we shouldn't be doing it 

[trueblue]

Owen, I'll see you an idiot and raise you a complete #$%*ing moron.

Black Devil - Moscow Ride on R1

[LesterPiglet]

I don't think he will be around very long. I've seen too many dashcam videos of Russian driving.

[Frostyboy]

Owen, I'll see you an idiot and raise you a complete #$%*ing moron.

I fold Andrew, you win! 

[Grnrngr]

When I lived in CA, I always rolled up to the line at a red lihht and was usually across the intersection before the cars were close to half way, but that, s about the extent of my lane splitting. In city traffic or on the freeway, I never felt the need to go between cars, I just changed lanes a lot. There has been talk of legalizing it here in Oregon, I'd vote for it for sure. As for those Russian guys, I saw this daredevil chick on Jimmy Fallon's show the other night, she said "In Russia, we have a saying: 'Don't be a pussy'".

[LesterPiglet]

...she said "In Russia, we have a saying: 'Don't be an old pussy'".

[AJK]

Owen, I'll see you an idiot and raise you a complete #$%*ing moron.

Black Devil - Moscow Ride on R1

Yeah, i fold too. Surely a numbers game for him (Russian roulette). Must be ghost rider's brother.