Motorcycle lane filtering 101

Posted 13 March, 2019 Jeremy Rochow

It’s peak hour and traffic has backed up along South Australia’s arterial roads. While you’re stuck in traffic, a motorcycle rides past between vehicles and stops at the front of the queue to cross an intersection.   ‘Surely that’s not legal’, you think. But you might be surprised to find out, it is. Lane filtering – where a motorcycle rider travels at low speed in between 2 lanes of slow moving or stationary vehicles – was made legal in South Australia in 2017.   While the practice can help with congestion and be safer for motorcyclists, there are precautions both riders and drivers need to take to ensure the practice remains safe.  

For motorcyclists

Keep it legal

Motorcyclists need to follow a number of rules when lane filtering. They should only filter when it’s safe and practical, travel no faster than 30km/h, and make every attempt to avoid collisions.   Only motorcyclists on R and R-date, P2 licences can lane filter – People with a P1 provisional or learner’s permit are not allowed to. Motorcyclists are prohibited from lane filtering in bike lanes and through roundabouts, school zones and crossings. The penalty for unlawful lane filtering is a $379 fine plus a $60 Victim of Crimes Levy, and attracts 3 demerit points.    

Check the gap

Before you weave your way through banked up traffic, make sure there’s enough room. If you’re unable to safely navigate the lane and merge back into vehicle flow, hang back and wait until it’s safe.

You should also look out for large vehicles and trucks, as they may obstruct your path and pose a safety risk.

Trucks also have a blind spot around the cab area so they may not be aware that you’re filtering.  

Cover yourself

You never know when a motorist might change lanes, so it’s a good idea to cover the front-brake lever with two fingers as you’re lane filtering. If you have to stop quickly, you’ll have a better reaction time, which means you’ll be able to pull up safely.