Geared To Ride by Shane ‘Rossey’ Ross
Hey bike fans, welcome back to another motorcycle road safety message from your good friend Rossey.
Today we’re talking about ‘Lane Filtering’ and ‘Edge Filtering’, also commonly known as ‘Lane Splitting’.
Most people aren’t aware that Lane and Edge Filtering is legal in Queensland and has been for quite a few years now. Lane filtering is the action of riding a motorcycle between stationary or slow-moving vehicles travelling in the same direction as you.
Edge filtering is the action of riding down road shoulders or emergency lanes, on major roads past stationary or slow-moving vehicles, travelling in the same direction as you. These techniques are designed to move through traffic in a safe but efficient manner to reduce congestion and increase safety of motorcyclists in congested traffic. But there are some very important rules you must abide by while performing these techniques.
Did you know that if you lane or edge filter above 30kph, you are committing an offence and can be issued with an infringement notice by police? So, always stay under 30kph while lane or edge filtering.
Also, you must not edge filter on a road in a speed zone of 90kph or less, or between a vehicle and a kerb or on an unsealed part of the road.
Lane filtering can be dangerous if not performed properly, be aware of the vehicles around you, do not lane filter while other vehicles are moving, avoid lane and edge filtering near off ramps and keep clear zones as other vehicles may be turning suddenly and will not expect you to be there. And watch out for vehicles changing lanes, they might not see you coming up between them.
Other key considerations while lane or edge filtering:
You must not lane or edge filter in school zones during school zone hours, or if you are a current holder of a motorcycle learners or provisional Licence.
Avoid lane filtering where vehicles may suddenly increase speed and getting caught between the lanes where other road users may not see you.
And avoid lane filtering where pedestrians may cross the road between stopped vehicles such as congested traffic and peak hour.
Well, I hope this helps you understand the fundamentals of lane and edge filtering, and I also hope that drivers who read this understand that motorcyclists are allowed to ride between and beside you at intersections, traffic lights and major roads. So please don’t get angry or frustrated, and please be courteous to other road users. And remember, stay shiny side up, and ride your own ride, this is Rossey, and I’m going to get you Geared to Ride.
