Lane filtering and lane splitting are not the same thing, and the difference matters for Colorado riders and drivers. Lane filtering means riding between cars that are stopped in traffic. Lane splitting means riding between lanes of moving traffic.
California and Minnesota allow lane splitting in moving traffic. Colorado does not, but since August 7, 2024, it has allowed lane filtering. A motorcycle may pass vehicles that are stopped and headed the same direction at 15 mph or less, when the lane is wide enough, passing on the left and staying out of oncoming traffic. Lane splitting in moving traffic is still illegal in Colorado. The filtering law is set to expire on September 1, 2027, unless lawmakers extend it.
Whether you are a biker or the driver of a vehicle, it’s important to understand lane splitting and its risks.
Lane Filtering vs. Lane Splitting
Due to motorcycles’ narrow profiles, they don’t need to remain in the middle of a lane like other vehicles; they can travel between cars on multi-lane highways. The practice of riding alongside cars or weaving between them and utilizing more than one lane to advance ahead of car traffic is known as lane splitting.
A similar practice is called lane filtering. Like lane splitting, this occurs when the motorcycle rider is maneuvering in between cars to travel more quickly. However, in the case of lane filtering, the cars are stopped due to traffic. Because motorcycles take up less space, they have room to weave between cars and gain an advantage once the flow of traffic resumes.
“Co-riding” is another way for motorcycle riders to travel. That’s when two bikers ride side-by-side in one lane. It’s important to remember that co-riding is legal in Colorado. In fact, co-riding is generally considered safer than just one rider on their own, as it makes both bikes easier for drivers to see.
The Pros and Cons of Lane Splitting
Bikers say that splitting is safer for them. It eliminates the possibility of being rear-ended, helps them get out of dense traffic (making travel easier for everyone), and allows them to get out of inclement weather more quickly. Conditions like intense heat, precipitation, and icy roads can be dangerous for them, so getting to their destination and off the road as quickly as possible in bad weather reduces the overall likelihood of crashes.
On the other side of the argument, drivers and safety experts point to the increased chance of sideswiping and merging incidents. That narrow profile that helps bikers maneuver more easily also means they’re often in drivers’ blind spots. Additionally, a motorcycle rider suddenly coming up alongside them can startle a driver, causing another unsafe condition.
How Lane Splitting Affects Fault After a Crash
As lane splitting is illegal, any rider involved in a crash that results from it will likely be blamed, at least partially. However, few traffic crashes are straightforward; other travelers’ actions, general traffic patterns, road conditions, and weather all contribute to the circumstances from which crashes arise.
Related Reading
- Lane-Splitting Crashes in Colorado: Fault and Evidence
- How Is Fault Determined After a Colorado Car Crash?
Talk to Greer Law After a Motorcycle Crash
If you’ve been harmed in a crash caused by lane splitting, contact Greer Law to help you sort out what happened and choose the best path forward. Fill out our contact form or call 303-331-6460 today.
