Colorado Legalizes Lane Filtering | Rider Journal

[ad_1]


Lane Splitting Lane Filterning
Colorado turns into the fifth state to legalize lane filtering, permitting motorcyclists to filter via stopped site visitors. Picture by Kevin Wing.

Colorado has handed a invoice to permit bikes to lane filter between stopped automobiles, changing into the fifth state to legalize it after California, Utah, Montana, and Arizona.

Lane sharing stays a controversial subject. In his article “Break up Determination: Are Lane Splitting and Lane Filtering Protected?” Eric Trow references research to point out the consequences of lane sharing in states the place it’s authorized and located that the observe reduces the danger of rear-end collisions and reduces accidents, though it additionally introduces some new dangers. You will discover a deeper dive into the subject of lane sharing by studying Trow’s article.

Learn “Break up Determination: Are Lane Splitting and Lane Filtering Protected?” right here

Commercial

The Colorado invoice goes into impact on Aug. 7, 2024, and it’ll enable motorcyclists to filter via stopped site visitors at a pace of 15 mph or much less. For extra data on the invoice, learn the American Motorcyclists Affiliation’s press launch beneath.


Colorado has grow to be the fifth state to legalize lane filtering after Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed SB24-079 on April 4, permitting bikes to filter between stopped automobiles in site visitors and at stoplights.

The invoice handed via each the Colorado Home and Senate behind robust bipartisan assist. Colorado now joins California, Utah, Montana, and Arizona as states with lane-filtering laws signed into legislation.

“The signing of SB24-079 is a major win for motorcyclists within the state of Colorado,” AMA Central States Consultant Nick Sands stated. “With this new laws, motorcyclists will now be allowed to filter via stopped site visitors, giving riders the power to legally take away themselves from susceptible site visitors conditions earlier than ever coming into contact with a distracted or inattentive driver.”

The invoice — sponsored by Sens. Nick Hinrichsen (D-Pueblo) and Jim Smallwood (R-Douglas), in addition to Reps. Javier Mabrey (D-Denver, Jefferson) and Ron Weinberg (R-Larimer) — will go into impact on Aug. 7, 2024. It should enable all bikes to move stopped motor automobiles in the identical lane. Bikes might be required to journey 15 miles per hour or much less when filtering and can solely be allowed to take action if the highway has lanes broad sufficient to move safely. Circumstances should additionally enable for “prudent operation of the motorbike whereas overtaking or passing.”

For the subsequent three years, the Colorado Division of Transportation (CDOT) will acquire security knowledge on lane filtering and situation a report back to the Colorado Normal Meeting concerning the newly handed legislation.

The AMA continues to assist efforts concerning lane-filtering laws, as its success in a number of different states signifies its long-term viability in defending motorcyclists on the open highway.

To remain updated on the newest lane filtering information, go to the AMA Motion Heart.

The AMA’s place on lane filtering, and lane splitting, might be discovered right here.

[ad_2]