- Published:
- Monday 2 November 2015
The Andrews Labor Government has delivered on its commitment and from today motorcycle and scooter riders are legally allowed to filter at low speeds through traffic in Victoria.
Lane filtering is when motorcycles and scooters ride through slow moving or stopped traffic, for example to the front of a line or lane, or at traffic lights.
Under the new regulations, riders can filter in Victoria where safe to do so and at no more than 30km/h.
While not explicitly banned, riders who previously filtered were at risk of committing an offence under a number of Victorian Road Safety Road Rules, causing frustration between road users.
The Government introduced the filtering regulations to improve safety for everyone on Victorian roads and encourages all road users to be aware of the new laws.
The Government has consulted with the community on the changes, with a community meeting in June and over 1,000 online survey responses.
Lane splitting – which is weaving between traffic at speeds greater than 30km/h – will remain illegal because of the danger it poses to all road users.
The new regulations do not change how motorcyclists interact with special purpose lanes, such as bike lanes, bike boxes and tram lanes.
The changes include permitted filtering:
- between lanes or lines of traffic in the same direction
- between lanes or lines of traffic and parked cars
- for motorcycle licence holders (not learner permit holders)
- at speeds up to 30km/h (penalties will apply for filtering in excess of 30km/h)
- unless signed otherwise.
More details about motorcycle lane filtering can be found at www.vicroads.vic.gov.au(opens in a new window)
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan
“The Andrews Labor Government is delivering on our commitment to introduce new lane filtering laws which will improve road safety and address congestion.”
“It’s important that all road users share the road and know that from today motorbikes and scooter riders can legally move ahead of slow or stationary traffic.”
Quotes attributable to Chair of the Victorian Motorcycle Council Rob Salvatore
"The Victorian Motorcycle Council welcomes the introduction of lane filtering to improve motorcycle safety and benefit all road users.”