Legislative Update

Expect to see motorcycles lane filtering soon, it will be legal under certain circumstances

Lane Filtering is NOT the same as Lane Splitting. Legal for roads with 45 mph or less speed limit; NOT LEGAL on ANY Freeways.

ARIZONA – As the weather continues to get warmer, Arizonans can expect to see more motorcycles on the road — and more motorcycles means lane filtering will be legal soon.

ABATE of Arizona wants to remind drivers they can expect to see motorcycles lane filtering this fall, as well as remind motorcyclists of the conditions under which lane filtering is legal.

What is Lane filtering?

Lane filtering is when motorcyclists move between two lanes to the front of traffic that is stopped at an intersection.

Motorcycle lane filtering was made legal under certain circumstances in Arizona but it doesn’t go into effect just yet.

Officials say the law for lane filtering was designed to prevent or reduce rear-end collisions between approaching vehicles and motorcycles stopped in traffic.

They added, unlike lane “splitting,” lane “filtering” is intended to provide a “safety pocket” for motorcycles when encountering stopped traffic.

Since we have so many snowbirds in Arizona, some drivers may be surprised when they see motorcyclists who are lane filtering.

Officials emphasized that lane filtering between stopped vehicles on roadways with at least two lanes in the same direction and speeds of 45 mph and lower is legal in Arizona.

Having a motorcycle pass closely to your stopped vehicle can be startling.

However, officials say if you’re aware that lane filtering is legal and know to expect it, you can maintain an awareness of your surroundings and reduce the element of surprise.

When the law goes into effect, motorcycles will be able to lane filter in Arizona when the following conditions are met, according to officials:

The movement MUST be made safely The individual is on a roadway divided into two or more adjacent traffic lanes in the same direction of travel The individual is on a roadway with a speed limit of 45 miles per hour or less; this means it is never legal on the freeways The vehicle being overtaken in the same lane is stopped The motorcycle is traveling at a speed of 15 miles per hour or less.

Mike Infanzon
Legislative Director