Officially legal lane splitting in NSW

[Klavdy]

There apparently will be an announcement later on today regarding New South Wales (an Australian state) legislating lane splitting.
The Roads Minister, Duncan Gay, will announce it.

[Firehawk068]

You lucky bastard!
I wish everyone here would get their heads out of their arses, and realize that it's beneficial for everyone on the roads! 

[FJmonkey]

He is just happy to have more ass grabbing time while he splits lanes... How are the crabs doing K man???

[Capn Ron]

This is great news Klav...thanks for sharing this.  If the biggest nanny state in the USA (California) thinks that lane splitting is a good idea, I'm baffled as to how more "free" states oppose it.  Just ludicrous.

On my mega-trip, I was respectful of local laws...hard to know what they are in 26 different states and 8 Canadian Provinces, but I just assumed that lane splitting wasn't allowed.  ...And if I'm being honest, in MOST of the USA and Canada, lane splitting isn't needed...ever...because of the low population density and wide open roads.  In two cases, though...one in Virginia and one in Montreal, I was compelled to lane split.  In Virginia it was queued up traffic at a broken red light...and in Montreal, it was very hot and construction on the freeway had traffic backed up for miles!!!  In both cases, I didn't affect the operation of a single other motor vehicle, but was confronted with major anger.  In the case of Montreal, it was someone intentionally pinching me between their car and the guardrail.  The response to me lane splitting shouldn't EVER be trying to kill me.   

As much as I grouse about the nanny state, I was thrilled to be back in California if for no other reason than the ability to lane split at will with most drivers giving me EXTRA room!

In the end, if the cagers are given some education...and a chance to think it all through, no one would be opposed to lane splitting.  This NSW announcement is just one small victory, but a victory nonetheless.   

Cap'n Ron. . .

[movenon]

Not much to add about lane splitting but in an effort to update some traffic information.  Utah has upped there freeway speed limit to 80 mph.  Idaho is considering the same but no decision yet.
George

[Klavdy]

Good stuff about Utah, it's a fabulous place to ride.
Back to the lane splitting, it's not official yet,,,

[Joe Sull]

Inlighten me, I don't know what the term means but I've read it before in the Maine laws. Is that were you cut up the sides so you don't sit in traffic?

[Jonesy]

Joe,
Its mainly in towns and cities when traffic is congested, you go up the middle between cars and other vehicles, the knack is not to clash mirrors or panniers, or up the side as you suggested

[baldy3853]

New laws make NSW first to give motorcyclists approval to move past stalled, slow cars  

Get on your bike: new laws have been announced for motorcyclists in NSW.
LANE filtering by motorcyclists today is legal in NSW in an Australian first aimed at easing traffic congestion and boosting road safety.  
 
The practice involves riders travelling between lanes of halted or slow-moving cars, usually in central city areas. This includes motorcycles travelling within a lane, on the lane line or into the adjacent lane when filtering.

Government approval of the practice, announced this evening by NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay, follows a three-month trial in Sydney CBD areas.

NSW roads and ports minister Duncan Gay has announced new laws for motorcyclists. Picture

NSW roads and ports minister Duncan Gay has announced new laws for motorcyclists. Picture: Damian Shaw Source: Supplied
   
It is expected to provide a model for all other states where laws on the practice are vague and most riders are unsure whether they are within the law. Police services have been among the groups seeking clarification of the legal position.

Filtering speeds up gridlocked traffic by removing motorcycles from the queues, and lessens the risk of riders being rear-ended by car drivers, the most-common motorcycle accident.

"Ultimately riders are doing drivers a big fat favour by lane filtering and reducing congestion for all. This also highlights the fact that the community consultation process in NSW is alive and well," said Christopher Burns, spokesman for the Motorcycle Council of NSW.

"Lane Filtering also has the benefit of reducing congestion as motorcycles are not taking up the equivalent of a car space and with close to 4000 motorcycles travelling into the Sydney CBD every weekday one can easily estimate the benefits to car drivers.

Motorcyclists will now be able to travel between lanes of halted or slow-moving cars.

Motorcyclists will now be able to travel between lanes of halted or slow-moving cars. Source: News Limited
   
The practice has restrictions.

During the trials riders were not allowed to travel through moving traffic, known as lane splitting, or allowed to overtake to the left of a vehicle in the left-hand lane.

When traffic was queued at intersections, riders could move forward but had to stop behind the stop-line. And riders were not allowed in bus-only lanes.

Car and truck drivers will now have to get used to the possibility that a motorcycle might be squeezing past them in stalled traffic.

Drivers will be urged to watch both their mirrors and look for motorbikes filtering through the traffic, and riders will have to assess risks and if it looks dangerous, ride accordingly.

The Motorcycle Council congratulated Mr Gay and the Government for legalising what Mr Burns said had been "common practice for motorcycle riders across the country and overseas for decades".


baldy

[Joe Sull]

  Very good!
Thanks Jonsey.

[rusjel]

Happy days! It'll make no difference to the way I ride in Sydney traffic, just makes the way I ride legit.

A welcome change though. Come down for a holiday Klav, I want to see you lane filter with that big behemoth of yours!