Colorado State Patrol: 5 Rules of Lane Filtering

Description: The Colorado State Patrol Released this Press Release Regarding an Upcoming Traffic Law Allowing Motorcycle Riders to Lane Filter.

Motorcyclists: Are You Ready to Filter?

The accurate answer comes down to the rider’s level of skill

(COLO)—Recently, Colorado passed a lane filtering bill that will go into effect on August 7, 2024. This is a significant change for Colorado motorists and riders, so when this law goes into effect, we all need to practice it safely and with respect for one another. Motorcyclists have the extra responsibility to ensure they possess the individual skills to safely and legally perform this maneuver.

According to Colorado’s new law, the rider of the motorcycle must not exceed 15 mph when filtering and all vehicles traveling in the lane or adjacent lanes for the same direction of travel must be at a complete stop.

“Driving at low rates of speed, such as 15 miles per hour or less on a motorcycle, is more challenging and requires a higher level of skill,” stated Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Newer riders or folks that could brush up on this skill should seek hands-on training before implementing this new practice in real traffic situations.”

Colorado’s Motorcycle Operator Safety Program (MOST) is a reliable resource for training riders at all experience levels. There are three programs: Basic Riders Course, Experienced Riders Course and Three Wheel Course, which help riders gain additional experience in a safe and controlled setting.

This law also puts the rider in the position to assess each situation to determine if he/she can meet the legal requirements for safe filtering. The rider should not pass if they can’t follow the law or perform the maneuver safely.

Changes to road rules take time to catch up with the vast motoring public. However, Coloradoans need to know that lane filtering is not new; it is just new to Colorado. Limited forms of filtering are already legal in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Montana and Utah. California is the only state that permits lane splitting.

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