What countries allow filtering or lane splitting?

ST Gui

ST Gui

240Robert
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ST1300, 2010
For those of you living outside the US— please advise your country it's legal status regarding filtering.

I'm asking residents outside of the US so as to get the most current information.

A US acquittance who does bike rides in other countries told me filtering was illegal in the UK and I thought several here have said otherwise. So I'd like to get more info about the UK EU and anywhere this forum reaches.
 
ST Geezer, it is legal in the UK as long as the letter of the law is followed. Slow moving or stationary traffic etc.
As far as I am aware it is legal in Europe with the exception of Germany where you will be shot at dawn at the waters edge for even minor infringement. That's if the Passat estate drivers don't swerve into you first to make sure you are aware of "Ze Highway Code Englander". Apologies to any none Passat driving Germans tuning in.
As I said this is what I believe to be the case but I do occasionally ( OK more than occasionally) talk nonsense.
Upt'North.
 
All the years I drove in Germany it was not only legal, it was expected by the German drivers. I've had auto drivers flag me around them if there was traffic and they were stalled in it.
 
Not only is it legal in Europe, but it is expected of you in most places. Only Germany has restrictive legislation when it comes to motorcycle lane splitting; you may filter (that is, move past traffic which is at a standstill) but not split when traffic is moving. ... Remember to stay safe while splitting lanes.

The above is off the www for Germany.
When I last rode on the autobahn about two years ago the German riders weren't even passing stationary traffic.
Upt'North.
 
The rules in Germany are tricky. Filtering is tolerated - even 'expected' and 'facilitated by auto drivers' only when auto traffic is stopped, and then only if you filter at a very low speed. Once the cars are moving, it is not permitted to filter, that is a traffic offence that is just not tolerated at all.

There are a number of postings on the internet that provide an overview of rules in Europe. Not all of the postings are accurate, but if you browse through most of them, you will get a generally reliable overview. What I find most reliable is to look at what other riders of my age and motorcycle type are doing, then follow their lead.

Here's a list of links:

An American law firm discusses lane splitting in the USA

Wikipedia (primarily USA & Australian rules)

Federation of European Motorcyclists (best site for European rules about lane splitting)

UK-specific information

Michael
 
Upt' North said:
legal in the UK as long as the letter of the law is followed. Slow moving or stationary traffic etc.
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You know better than I re the law given your profession... but I was always taught, and local officers have reiterated... Filtering is legal, period. No if's, no buts, it's legal.

The part where you could fall foul of the law is "without due care and attention" escalating quickly to "dangerous driving." Both of those are context sensitive and very opinion based, unfortunately.

I do however regularly filter past VOSA and police on dual carriageways, even when traffic is moving about 30mph. Maybe they were just friendly officers...

If filtering is only legal in the UK when traffic is stationary or slow moving, it's definitely not well enforced.
 
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ad.hom said:
If filtering is only legal in the UK when traffic is stationary or slow moving, it's definitely not well enforced.
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The key is here is ‘slow moving’ and as you point out it’s a judgment call. If you’re filtering carefully, showing signs of paying attention and general safety the ‘slow moving’ can be pretty quick. On the other hand RLAC (ride like a, well, you know) and you’re likely to have words said to you. I got a wagged finger from a (to be honest rather justified) traffic biker for my filtering through traffic that was almost stationary once, but have passed others significantly faster with no comment.

I think it boils down to the lack of specific legal definition between filtering and lane splitting. It’s down to the individual officer’s judgment at the time,
 
As far as I am aware neither splitting or filtering is legal in Canada although road rules can differ province to province.
 
As far as I am aware, lane splitting is not legal anywhere in Canada and I’d guess the same is true for filtering.

In fact, I’d bet that either would attract a substantial ticket (fine) and more importantly, drivers would not expect bikers to do either and so it would also be pretty hazardous.
Pete
 
ad.hom said:
You know better than I re the law given your profession... but I was always taught, and local officers have reiterated... Filtering is legal, period. No if's, no buts, it's legal.

The part where you could fall foul of the law is "without due care and attention" escalating quickly to "dangerous driving." Both of those are context sensitive and very opinion based, unfortunately.

I do however regularly filter past VOSA and police on dual carriageways, even when traffic is moving about 30mph. Maybe they were just friendly officers...

If filtering is only legal in the UK when traffic is stationary or slow moving, it's definitely not well enforced.
Click to expand...
These are some general guidelines from a well known UK site, I think they are what would be considered reasonable by most enforcers. When these guidelines have been exceeded then insurance settlements have been reduced as a result. Buyer beware as they say. It would seem to me that if you are seen to be filtering then that's fine and dandy but if that becomes unreasonable and becomes an over/undertaking manoeuvre then that is not.
As in most law, it will be down to the magistrates or judge to decide.
Upt'North.

When filtering, you should always travel at a safe speed relative to rate of flow of traffic around you. A speed differential of 5-10mph usually provides sufficient progress whilst maintaining safety margins. Filtering will usually be conducted at 15-20mph.

Filter expecting to have to brake, swerve or stop and expect the unexpected. Cover your clutch and brake lever while you filter to reduce your relative time should you need to stop quickly.

Filtering on the nearside or filtering between queues of moving traffic is not recommended. A nearside filter can be seen as an undertake. Traffic can also move from one lane to the other when gaps open up in an adjacent lane without checking their mirrors.

Before moving out to filter, always assess the situation fully to ensure you have a safe gap to return to. Ride defensively not aggressively.

If in doubt, don’t filter.
 
ad.hom said:
You know better than I re the law given your profession... but I was always taught, and local officers have reiterated... Filtering is legal, period. No if's, no buts, it's legal.

The part where you could fall foul of the law is "without due care and attention" escalating quickly to "dangerous driving." Both of those are context sensitive and very opinion based, unfortunately.

I do however regularly filter past VOSA and police on dual carriageways, even when traffic is moving about 30mph. Maybe they were just friendly officers...

If filtering is only legal in the UK when traffic is stationary or slow moving, it's definitely not well enforced.
Click to expand...

This is the latest case law I'm aware of, it's a bit long winded but shows that the issues of filtering are complex and that filtering does indeed effect insurance settlements.
Upt'North.
 
ad.hom said:
You know better than I re the law given your profession... but I was always taught, and local officers have reiterated... Filtering is legal, period. No if's, no buts, it's legal.

The part where you could fall foul of the law is "without due care and attention" escalating quickly to "dangerous driving." Both of those are context sensitive and very opinion based, unfortunately.

I do however regularly filter past VOSA and police on dual carriageways, even when traffic is moving about 30mph. Maybe they were just friendly officers...

If filtering is only legal in the UK when traffic is stationary or slow moving, it's definitely not well enforced.
Click to expand...
Your point on enforcement AdHom is valid and due to the fact that patrolling officers are thin on the ground and those that may see you have better things to get on with probably explain the low enforcement levels for filtering in an excessive or aggressive manner. The real problem would arise as above when you are trying to claim for life changing injuries and the judge decides you're only getting a lower percentage of any proposed settlement.
By the way, merry Christmas AH.
Upt'North.
 
GryST said:
I got the impression that we were looked at as an aliens from another planet doing something incredible insane and unthinkable.
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Because it is illegal in Quebec and something rarely ever seen by other drivers so they are not expecting it and consider it dangerous and an example of bikers being scofflaws. Had you been in the presence of the Sûreté du Québec you most likely would have had been invited to have a conversation with them.
 
Upt' North said:
patrolling officers are thin on the ground and those that may see you have better things to get on with
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Thankfully, they're not so thin on the ground these days. Perhaps coincidence, but numbers seem to have increased dramatically since Mr Brunstrom left. Incedentally, I had more "talks with officers" when he held the reigns (but then, he did want the force to reduce the KSI reputation of North Wales...).

The traffic unit at Llandegai for example, has increased the size of its car park, with almost equal numbers for UC and TR spots.

Nadolig Llawen.
 
Andrew Shadow said:
consider it dangerous and an example of bikers being scofflaws.
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GryST said:
Oh boy. They should be sent to Europe for an eye-opener :))
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Actually I think it is the law makers who should be sent to Europe so that they can see the benefits of it, learn how it can be done safely and change the laws here to allow it.
Because it is illegal here it is done as close to never as you can get. Because it is almost never done it is also almost never seen by other road users. Because of those reasons when it is seen it is unexpected and frowned upon by the public.
 
There was talk a short while ago about allowing lane splitting here in Ontario. My first reaction was " Oh crap, here we go" Now, as good as we like to think we can drive, drivers in Ontario can be absolutely horrible. If we allow filtering at lower speeds, in congested areas, SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE is going to do it at 100km/h saying it's legal, get themselves and others killed/ injured or hurt and then public backlash will hit the news talking about menaces to society, etc, etc and the law will be repealed.
In Ontario, yes, we can drive, BUT we can't drive WELL. Filtering is something that needs attention, recognition, and acceptance from all of driving society.

Many times here and in the US I've been in the left hand ( passing ) lane only to come up behind someone doing exactly the speed limit and refusing to move over. I can plainly hear their thoughts as if there was a neon sign on the car roof. " I'm doing the limit and you should be too" . Just one example but I have many, many more.
 
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