Thread: Lane Filtering - now legal in VIC

Mick,

I think the difference if the speed involved...

I may be wrong but my understanding was they call it lane filtering if under 30km/hr

Thats splitting hairs, same thing as far as i'm concerned.
It has to be done with some common sense unlike the riders i see in tee's,shorts and thong's .

I just read an article.
It indicated the traffic must be stationary and the motorcycle must be travelling no more than 30km/h.
Much more sensible. I thought that was legal anyway, at least it is already in common practice.
Maybe they're changing the law because they know it is unenforceable.

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

It indicated the traffic must be stationary and the motorcycle must be travelling no more than 30km/h

In Queensland, "Lane filtering is when you ride your motorcycle at low speed between stationary or slow moving vehicles travelling in the same direction you are." So, how does one define slow? I see it as slower than 30kmph - any faster and it would be illegal anyway!

Motorcycle road rules | Transport and motoring | Queensland Government

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

Is there a difference? I thought they were the same thing.

From RMS NSW:

Motorcyclists caught moving between traffic at over 30km/h face heavy fines and three demerit points under the offence called ?lane splitting?

I must admit I've done it on the motorway when held up by drivers travelling side by side at 70-80km/h

From November 2, motorcyclists can travel at speeds of up to 30 kilometres per hour through stationary or slow-moving traffic, including at traffic lights.

Victorian motorcyclists legally allowed to weave through traffic under changed laws - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

The NSW version is here.
NSW Government set to legalise safe lane filtering for motorcyclists | Transport for NSW
and here.
Lane filtering - Motorcyclists - Staying safe - NSW Centre for Road Safety

It mentions.

Conditions to manage the safety risks associated with lane filtering:

Filtering only permitted when it is 'safe to do so?. Situations where it is not 'safe to do so? may include:
When the manoeuvre is at high speed between moving traffic; and
Riders will be required to comply with all other road rules when performing the lane filtering manoeuvre, including rules that do not allow them to overtake to the left of vehicles in the kerbside lane (adjacent to a pedestrian path), travel in the breakdown lane, or when filtering around trucks and buses.
Imposing a speed limit of 30km/h.
Clearly defines the maximum speed riders are allowed to filter at. This makes it clear that filtering over the speed limit of 30km/h is illegal.
Setting at 30km/h will limit filtering to slow moving traffic where vehicles are moving at or below this speed
This speed is 10km/h lower than the 40km/h limit currently implemented in high pedestrian activity zones
Limit filtering to fully licenced riders only (excluding Learner or Provisional riders)
Manoeuvre only allowed by experienced riders who may have more highly developed hazard perception and motorcycle handling skills.
May reduce risk of inexperienced riders having crashes associated with inadequate gap selection or awareness of pedestrians/other road users while filtering.
No filtering in school zones during hours of operation
Ensures that filtering does not occur around schools on multi-lane roads where there may be an increase in pedestrian activity by children.

Originally Posted by loanrangie

Been doing it since i was 17 but only when i deem it safe to do so, never had any problems or been booked for doing it - actually never been booked on bike at all.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using AULRO mobile app

X2 here and ive survivded ouch for more than enough years