Can motorcycles drive between cars? Yes, but it depends on local lane splitting laws. The difference between lane filtering and lane splitting is explained here, along with the road rules for your state, safety advice and potential penalties.
Lane filtering and lane splitting are often confused, but they are distinct manoeuvres with different legal implications.
Lane filtering rules are in place to ensure pedestrian safety. For instance, motorcycles with three wheels, learners, and sidecars are not allowed to lane filter due to the complexity and safety concerns. Filtering besides heavy vehicles is also unsafe because these vehicles often cannot spot motorcyclists. Additionally, motorcycles are not allowed to lane filter using bicycle lanes.
Motorcycle riders must understand the difference between lane filtering and lane splitting to avoid legal issues, ensure their safety, and minimise the risk of accidents.
A motorcycle accident with another vehicle can seriously injure both the motorbike rider and the pillion passenger. You could have the legal right to claim compensation when injured due to the negligence of car drivers (or any other type of vehicle). Our motorcycle accident lawyers understand QLD personal injury laws and how they apply to a motorbike accident.
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Lane filtering in Queensland involves moving between lanes of stopped or slow-moving vehicles travelling in the same direction at speeds up to 30 km/h. For safety, only motorcyclists with an open licence are allowed to lane filter, as long as they maintain a speed below 30 km/h.
The following subsections will provide a detailed overview of lane filtering laws and new laws in:
Lane filtering in Queensland involves moving between lanes of stopped or slow-moving vehicles travelling in the same direction at speeds up to 30 km/h. For safety, only fully licensed motorcyclists are allowed to lane filter, as long as they maintain a speed below 30 km/h.
Lane splitting, which involves riding at high speeds between moving vehicles, is strictly prohibited in Queensland road rules.
Furthermore, lane filtering is not allowed in the following circumstances:
Note: Bicycle riders can use some special purpose lanes like tram lanes (but not a tramway, which has a double yellow line or physical barrier). However, motorbike riders are banned from using special purpose lanes.
Queensland is one of the few Australian states that allows motorcycle riders to edge filter in certain situations. On major highways and motorways, a rider can “edge filter” by utilising a sealed road shoulder or emergency lane to pass slower-moving traffic at speeds up to 90 km/h.
Motorbike riders are permitted to enter the bicycle storage area and wait in front of vehicles stopped at an intersection until the traffic lights turn green.
This behaviour is perfectly legal, provided they yield to other riders who are already using the space.
QLD motorbike riders should always be in control of their motorcycles. Which means you:
New South Wales permits lane filtering, allowing motorcyclists with an open licence to move between stationary or slow-moving vehicles as long as their speed does not exceed 30 km/h. However, it’s illegal to split lanes.
This practice helps riders move safely past slow-moving traffic, especially considering the challenges of driving in a special-purpose lane at low speed.
In Victoria, lane filtering is legal for riders with an open motorcycle licence as long as they maintain a speed of no more than 30 km/h.
In Western Australia, lane filtering is legal for motorcycle riders travelling at no more than 30 km/h between two lanes of stationary or slow-moving vehicles travelling in the same direction when it is safe to do so.
In the Australian Capital Territory, lane filtering is permitted as long as riders do not exceed a speed of 30 km/h and it is safe to perform. Similarly, lane filtering is allowed in the Northern Territory for motorcyclists. However, in Tasmania, motorcyclists are prohibited from lane filtering through school zones during school hours and school zone hours to ensure the safety of children and pedestrians.
Effective lane filtering calls for safety as the first priority. Riders have to remain in control at all times and ready for sudden movements from other vehicles. Before switching lanes, riders must remain aware of their surroundings by using mirrors and head checks to avoid possible hazards.
In this situation, it’s vital to communicate intentions to other drivers.
To ensure pedestrian safety for all road users, motorcycle riders must perform their lane filtering safely and adhere to the regulations that specify when it is permitted.
Penalties for illegal lane filtering can vary significantly across different states.
Motorcyclists can filter lanes in emergency stopping lanes and on road shoulders in the following circumstances:
In Queensland, lane filtering on road shoulders is prohibited in pedestrian areas or roads with speed limits below 90 km/h. Riders must give way to bicycle riders who are already using the shoulder when moving through these areas.
These guidelines allow motorcyclists to enter bicycle storage areas legally and safely while being aware of other road users, to keep everyone safe when using these shared zones.
A compliant helmet is vital for lane filtering alongside parked cars or other parked vehicles. Helmets must comply with either the:
And display a stitched label or a sticker indicating compliance with approved standards.
NOTE: There is no law prohibiting the attachment of cameras or technology to helmets, provided the helmet remains compliant and approved.
Edge filtering is perfectly legal in Queensland on major roads with speed limits of 90 km/h or higher as long as you follow traffic laws.
Lane filtering is the practice of riding between stationary or slow-moving vehicles, which is generally legal in Australia. Lane splitting, on the other hand, involves riding between lanes at higher speeds (above 30 km/h) and is typically illegal.
Motorcyclists who want to guarantee traffic law compliance should understand the difference.
Learners and provisional license holders are not permitted to lane filter, as this driving behaviour is limited to fully licensed motorcycle riders due to its complexity.
Motorcycles cannot use bicycle lanes for lane filtering, as they are typically restricted to non-motorised vehicles.
The penalty for illegal lane filtering in Queensland is a $483 fine along with three demerit points.
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