What Is Motorcycle Lane Filtering

If you have ever been sitting in traffic which has slowed or completely stopped and witnessed a motorbike or scooter weaving in and out of the vehicles in order to continue moving forward, you have seen what is called ‘lane filtering’.

Lane filtering occurs in a range of different traffic scenarios, but most typically:

  • where there are two lanes of traffic and all vehicles are travelling in the same direction as the motorcyclist; and
  • where two vehicles are each travelling in the same direction as the motorcyclist but in separate, adjacent marked lanes.

While lane filtering is legal, it is only considered to be so if it is done under safe conditions. The rules vary from state-to-state, so motorcyclists should be mindful of the laws local to the state they are riding in if they think they will engage in lane filtering. Here are some state-based rules to consider if you are a motorcyclist.

Lane filtering in Queensland

It is legal to lane filter between parked cars and traffic in Queensland – one of just two states in which you are allowed to do so – so long as the conditions are safe.

It is illegal to lane filter in a school zone during school hours.

Lane filtering in New South Wales

In NSW, the rules around lane filtering are clear. Motorcyclists who lane filter must be fully licensed, must not do so at a speed of more than 30 km per hour and should only lane filter through traffic which is slow moving or stationary.

It is illegal to lane filter in school zones, adjacent to shopping strips and next to curbs or parked cars. Lane filtering rules do not supersede other road rules, and motorcyclists must adhere to other basic rules, such as stopping at red lights, when they lane filter.

Lane filtering in Victoria

If it is safe to do so, lane filtering in school zones or adjacent to shopping strips is legal in Victoria.

Lane filtering in South Australia

It is illegal to lane filter between parked cars and traffic in South Australia and only legal to engage in lane filtering at speeds of less than 30km/h. It is illegal to lane filter across pedestrian crossings in South Australia and it is also illegal to lane filter in school zones during school hours.

Lane filtering in Western Australia

In Western Australia, the law does not specifically address lane filtering, however, it is generally considered to be an unsafe practice. Motorcyclists should be especially careful of lane filtering when riding in WA, particularly in the CBD where it is illegal.

Lane filtering in the Northern Territory

The Northern Territory has recently legalised lane filtering under some circumstances. It is illegal to lane filter between parked cars and traffic in the Northern Territory and it is only legal to lane filter at speeds of less than 30km/h. Lane filtering is not legal in school zones during school hours in the Territory.

Lane filtering in the Australian Capital Territory

In the ACT, lane filtering is only legal in speed zones of less than 40km/h. In the country’s capital, you cannot legally lane filter in the CBD at all, nor can you do so in school zones or adjacent to shopping strips.

When is lane filtering legal?

Despite some inconsistencies, there are some blanket rules for lane filtering throughout Australia. Aside from WA, where no laws have been set in relation to lane filtering, it is acceptable to lane filter in situations where:

  • a motorcycle is travelling in the same direction as the lines of traffic which it wants to move between;
  • all vehicles, including the motorcycle, are travelling in the same direction albeit in adjacent marked lanes, and
  • a motorcycle is travelling between two vehicles.

When is lane filtering illegal?

Although rules around lane filtering differ from state to state, there are three situations in which lane filtering is illegal across the whole country. Nowhere in Australia are you allowed to lane filter:

  • in bicycle lanes
  • between the kerb and a vehicle; or
  • into oncoming traffic.

These situations are considered unsafe and if motorcyclists are caught lane filtering under any of these circumstances they may face penalties.

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