Lane filtering for motorcyclists will soon be legal in Colorado: What it means
DENVER (KDVR) — The Centennial State is introducing a new measure for motorcyclists come August, and the Colorado State Patrol and Colorado Department of Transportation are spreading information ahead of the implementation.
That’s because lane filtering will be legal for motorcyclists after Aug. 7.
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“Passing vehicles that are moving is known as lane splitting, and lane splitting is not allowed in Colorado,” explained Glenn Davis, the Colorado Department of Transportation’s highway safety manager and past chair of the motorcycle safety advisory board. “I’m not even going to use the S-word anymore: This is a lane filtering state.”
Lane filtering allows motorcyclists with enough room in the lane they are traveling in to pass a vehicle ahead of them, if and only if that vehicle is completely stopped. It doesn’t matter why that car is stopped — backed up traffic, a red light or any other reason — motorcyclists have the right to slowly pass stopped cars.
What are the conditions for legal lane filtering?
There are five important factors to apply to the new lane filtering law.
The vehicles the rider wants to pass are completely stopped.
The lane is wide enough to fit both vehicles.
The motorcycle must be under 15 mph.
The rider must pass safely and have control of the motorcycle.
The rider must pass on the left and not enter the oncoming traffic lane.
Davis warned motorcycle riders to be aware of their surroundings while lane filtering and ensure they are keeping an eye out on the other traffic.
“It’s really impossible to predict the actions of another roadway user,” Davis said. “So when passing other cars, it’s important that motorcyclists keep their speeds below 15 miles per hour, and that’s also a requirement of the law, and never pass in lanes that are too narrow. It also means never passing on the shoulder of the road.”
What drivers should know
Davis and Colorado State Patrol Chief Col. Matthew C. Packard both noted that driving on the shoulders of Colorado’s roads is illegal.
In addition, the pair noted that if there is a crash while a motorcycle rider is attempting to lane filter, the motorcyclist would be considered at fault if the car had been moving. However, if the motorcyclist is filtering through a lane and then traffic begins to move again, drivers must allow that motorcycle back into a normal riding lane position.
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That’s because, under Colorado law, any intentional act that’s designed to impede the flow of traffic is unlawful.
Packard encouraged drivers to be aware of their surroundings but if they see another road user failing to operate lawfully, contact the state patrol or local law enforcement — don’t take matters into your own hands.
“Lane filtering is lawful behavior,” Packard said.
Lane filtering is legal, but lane splitting is not. This Colorado State Patrol graphic shows how to properly lane split. A trio of Colorado State Patrol motorcycle troopers demonstrate the proper way to lane split with stopped cars in a simulation. A trio of Colorado State Patrol motorcycle troopers demonstrate the proper way to lane split with stopped cars in a simulation.
When asked how other roadway users could respond if drivers have road rage against lane filtering, Packard encouraged road users not to enforce laws themselves but instead call *CSP for a law enforcement member.
“It’s not the job of the motorist to enforce the law,” said Packard. “If they’re doing something you think is illegal, just call the police. Don’t block them.”
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The lane filtering measure will be in place for three years, during which CDOT will conduct a study to see if the law provided a safer, more efficient use of Colorado’s roadways.
“Motorcycles are among our most vulnerable roadway users,” Davis said. “Two years ago, we had 140 motorcyclists killed.”
He noted that the rate went down in 2023. Still, motorcycles account for 3% of roadway users but about 20% of all crash fatalities, Davis said.
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