Is It Legal for Motorcycles to Split Lanes?

There is a long-standing debate on lane filtering in the US. Many U.S. states have been found to provide leniency to motorcycle riders when they split lanes when traffic is either slow or stopped.

However, a large number of U.S. states are against lane filtering. They don’t consider it a safe practice and, therefore, discourage it. No doubt, safety always comes first. Motorcycle riders are already prone to so many threats while riding on the road, especially on fast-moving roads and highways. As a result, lane splitting becomes a major point of debate among bike riders and lawmakers on its legality.

Let’s find out the current status of lane splitting. Also, is it legal for a motorcycle to split lanes? This article will also explain the difference between lane splitting and lane filtering. Also, let’s get to know which U.S. states allow lane splitting. We will answer all of these questions in this article. Before anything, let’s first find out what lane splitting is.

Lane splitting is the act of riding a motorcycle between two lanes on the white line. It is the line that is usually painted on the road to divide two different lanes of traffic.

In the U.S., it is not a usual practice for motorcycle riders. Riders only opt for it as an option to avoid waiting or stopping in a busy lane. If the traffic is moving slowly or is completely at a standstill, bike riders often choose to ride between two lanes. Being smaller and slim in size, bikers take advantage of this and start riding between two lanes to avoid heavy traffic and standing in the queue. This is basically lane splitting.

Motorcycle lane splitting is not legal in all U.S. states. The legality of lane splitting and lane filtering varies in different U.S. states. Some states have a strict stance on motorcycle lane splitting, while some states are lenient, allowing riders to split lanes under certain conditions.

Let’s find out the legality of motorcycle lane splitting in some notable U.S. states.

In Texas, motorcycle lane splitting is illegal. It is prohibited by the law. As per House Bill 4122 in 2023, Texas does not allow bike riders to either split or filter lanes. The law specifies:

• This law does not allow bike riders to ride between two traffic lanes.

• Riders or other road users cannot pass a vehicle in the same lane.

• If someone is found guilty of violating this traffic law, he/she will be fined $175.

• Though this law prohibits lane splitting, it allows lane sharing. However, it must not obstruct the traffic flow.

Lane splitting has remained a matter of debate among lawmakers for years, mainly due to safety implications. Those who are in favor of allowing lane splitting to bike riders argue that it helps prevent deadly rear-end collisions and reduces traffic blockage.

Meanwhile, those who oppose lane splitting argue that it increases the risk of motorcycle accidents. One cannot guarantee the safety of those riders splitting lanes due to unpredictable driver behavior.

There were many efforts being made in Texas to legalise lane splitting, but it still remains a matter of debate and is prohibited.

Lane splitting is also illegal in Colorado. Riders are not legally allowed to split lanes and ride between them. However, the state is lenient in allowing riders to filter between two lanes. It allows riders to pass between two slow-moving lanes under certain conditions:

• Colorado allows lane filtering under conditions such as when traffic is completely stopped, such as at a red light.

• The two lanes must be spacious and wide enough for riders to easily pass without intersecting the traffic flow and damaging another vehicle while compromising their safety.

• To filter between two lanes, the rider cannot surpass a speed limit of 15 mph.

• Riders are only allowed to filter between two lanes when the traffic is stopped or moving very slowly. Once the traffic starts moving, riders must stop lane filtering and start riding in their lanes.

In Colorado, the Senate Bill, addressing the lane splitting and motorcycle riding safety concerns, was made a part of the law on April 4, 2024. The Senate Bill 24-079 became effective in August 2024.

However, the Department of Transportation in Colorado will continue to analyze the impact of lane splitting and filtering on road safety. The department aims to make road safety its priority by implementing any changes to the law in favor of motorcyclists and other road users.

Another U.S. state that does not allow lane splitting is Arizona. However, if you ride in Arizona, you can filter between two lanes. Lane filtering became legal in this state in 2022. However, there are certain conditions that must be followed if riders want to filter between two lanes. These are:

• For motorcycle lane filtering in Arizona, riders must follow the speed limit of 15 mph. You cannot ride above 15 mph if you want to filter between two lanes in Arizona.

• To filter a lane on a road, there must be a speed limit of 45 mph. You cannot lane filter on a road where the speed limit exceeds 45 mph.

• Lane filtering must only be done when the traffic on two lanes is stopped.

• Lane filtering must also be performed safely without making any dangerous maneuvers.

Arizona is one of those U.S. states that allows motorcycle riders to filter between two lanes, other than Montana, Utah, and California. The purpose behind this law is to make roads safer and to improve bikers’ safety. Even though lane filtering is allowed by the law, riders are still instructed to follow all the safety guidelines and exercise extreme caution while filtering.

California is the only state in the U.S. where lane splitting is legal. It is believed that lane splitting is a safer option for bike riders to avoid severe head and torso injuries due to rear-end collisions. The legality of lane splitting in California is based on several research studies being conducted in the region.

On the other hand, other U.S. states that we have also discussed earlier in this article only allow lane filtering, which is a modified, safest form of lane splitting under several strict conditions.

• California: Lane splitting is legal.

• Montana: Lane filtering is legal.

• Utah: Lane filtering is legal.

• Arizona: Lane filtering is legal.

• Colorado: Lane filtering is legal.

There are many other U.S. states that are currently working on the laws to legalize and regulate motorcycle lane splitting and lane filtering under specific conditions. These U.S. states are:

• Connecticut

• Minnesota

• Maryland

• Texas

• Washington

• Oregon

The legislation done to regulate and legalize lane splitting and lane filtering in these states is under observation and debate. The bill has not passed yet. 

Almost every U.S. state is independent in making road safety laws based on facts, stats, and research. Considering the different opinions and polarization on this topic, lane splitting has become quite a controversial aspect in the U.S. On one end, there is California, which fully allows lane splitting. There are states that only allow lane filtering under certain conditions. On the other end, most states don’t find lane splitting and lane filtering safe for motorcycle riders and road safety. They completely prohibit and penalize riders who split or filter between lanes.

The ratio of the U.S. states that prohibit lane splitting shows that it is mostly considered illegal. However, you cannot question those states that allow lane splitting, as they have done so based on several studies being conducted on this issue. Let’s talk in detail about the reasons why some states allow motorcycle lane splitting and lane filtering.

One primary reason why some states allow and are lenient towards lane splitting and filtering is safety reasons. These states consider lane splitting and filtering a safer choice. This way, bikers can avoid dangerous rear-end collisions.

According to these states, in the case where there is a stop-and-go traffic and drivers and riders have to keep stopping and moving, it can be a vulnerable state for a bike rider. Riders are more prone to get hit by a large vehicle from behind, which may cause severe head and torso injuries. In such a case, bikers must be allowed to move out of the lane and ride between two lanes to avoid being hit by a distracted driver.

According to a study conducted by the University of California, also known as the Berkeley study, those bike riders who used to split and filter lanes were found to be safer than those who did not. Bikers who split and filter lanes were less likely to experience severe injuries than those who kept riding in the same lane in certain cases.

Motorcycle lane splitting and filtering allow bike riders to move and stay away from the red spots on the road where they are likely to experience collisions and sudden braking.

Lane splitting is considered to be an effective way of reducing traffic congestion on the road if done properly. It provides a separate lane for bikers who can switch from riding in the center of the lane to the line between two busy lanes. Rather than occupying a full lane and becoming a reason for traffic congestion, motorcycle riders can ride between two lanes. Lane splitting and filtering provide many advantages to road users, including:

• Helping reduce traffic density on busy city roads and highways.

• Both motorcycle riders and other road users can reach their destination on time.

• It helps in promoting the use of motorcycles for travel as they take up less space on the road than cars.

• California is known to have the most congested roads. The state has allowed lane splitting and filtering to ensure a better flow of traffic.

One of the major issues with the motorcycles is the engine overheating, especially if they have an air-cooling system. Motorcycle engines can overheat if they have to stand in a long traffic queue. Most large-displacement bikes, especially cruisers, are therefore very unsuited for stop-and-go traffic. Firstly, because they are heavy, and secondly, because they produce a great amount of heat if they have to keep stopping. Therefore, lane splitting and filtering allow riders to avoid standing in a long traffic queue and keep running.