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Lane filtering not legal yet

Lane Filtering -- which goes into effect on August 7 -- is when a rider moves between stopped traffic in the same lane
Longmont Leader Staff
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Stock photoKelly via Pexels

NEWS RELEASE
COLORADO STATE PATROL
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The Colorado State Patrol and Colorado Department of Transportation remind all road users that lane filtering is not legal yet in Colorado but will go into effect on August 7, 2024. Riders should not be practicing lane filtering through this awareness and education period.

This is a significant change for Colorado motorists and riders, and we want awareness to spread to all roadway users as well as a clear understanding of the rules of filtering for the state of Colorado,” explained Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “When the practice becomes legal in August, we expect riders to practice it safely. We also expect all road users to treat each other respectfully.”

Five Rules of Filtering

  1. The motor vehicles ahead have come to a complete stop.
  2. The width of the lane is sufficient to accommodate both a vehicle and a motorcycle side by side.
  3. The rider is not going faster than 15 mph.
  4. The rider can filter only in safe conditions and must be able to maintain control of the motorcycle.
  5. The rider must pass on the left of the vehicles in the same lane without entering the lane dedicated to traffic moving in the opposite direction.

"CDOT’s priority is to keep our roads safe and make sure all motorists are aware of and understand this new law,” said CDOT’s Highway Safety Office Manager Glenn Davis. “By providing clarity on lane filtering and emphasizing the importance of safe riding and driving practices, we aim to promote a culture of responsibility among all road users.”

 SB24-079, which legalizes lane filtering, will automatically expire in three years, September 2027. In addition, the bill requires the state to collect data to determine if lane filtering is a safe practice and allow lawmakers to decide if lane filtering will become permanent in Colorado. CDOT will share how the data collection process will occur.

Explanation of Terms

To achieve understanding, we need to begin by defining terms that have been frequently misunderstood or misused when speaking about this legislation.

  • This bill allows a practice called lane filtering or lane passing.
    • Lane Filtering is when a rider moves between stopped traffic in the same lane.
  • This bill does NOT legalize lane splitting or white lining.
    • Lane splitting is when a rider drives in between two rows of vehicles or between two lanes of traffic with the vehicles in motion

(BEGINNING AUGUST 7, 2024)

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