What countries is lane splitting legal?
Lane splitting by motorcycles is generally legal in Europe, and in Japan and several other countries, and is illegal in many states in the US, but is considered lawful in California (see list below). The legal restrictions on lane splitting for bicyclists can be the same, such as in California.
In most of the European Union lane splitting is legal, and in a number of countries, such as France, Italy, Spain or Netherlands, it's even expected.
Is filtering or lane-splitting legal in Germany? Yes, filtering's legal in Germany, but only when other traffic is completely stationary. Lane splitting – cutting between lines of moving traffic – is verboten (that's forbidden, in case you hadn't guessed).
Today, California remains the only U.S. state to allow lane splitting (the practice is legal in Europe and Asia), and researchers and motorcycle experts say that lane splitting can actually reduce traffic and improve roadway safety.
Also, you have the option of lane splitting: it's a legal grey area, but not something enforced by the Japanese police. However, I am told that if you are caught with another violation, they will charge you with lane splitting in addition to that violation.
Don't do it! In heavy traffic, some riders try lane splitting (riding on the line between lanes of traffic). This is very dangerous and a violation of the law. Riders can be charged for riding with more than one vehicle in the lane.
It's Stricter in Switzerland
Every year the stunning alpine passes and rolling hills of the Swiss Alps attract thousands of tourist riders, though unfortunately many discover that things that are legal elsewhere (like lane-splitting) are illegal in Switzerland.
Yes, lane splitting is legal in France, but it must be done cautiously and with consideration for other road users. Motorcyclists are allowed to filter through slow-moving or stationary traffic, utilising the gaps between vehicles.
Filtering (known as "lane splitting" in some countries) means moving past queues of stationary or slow-moving traffic. Go to any town or city and you'll see cyclists and motorcyclists doing this. In the UK, filtering is perfectly legal and it enables cyclists and motorcyclists to keep moving when wider vehicles cannot.
Lane-splitting not allowed in sweden, fyi european travelers.
Can I lane split in Hawaii?
Though many motorcyclists in Hawaii participate in lane splitting, it is not legal. Over the years, there has been some debate about whether lane splitting should be permitted, with the legislature ultimately not settling on legalization.
The difference between lane filtering and lane splitting
Lane filtering is where a motorcycle rider moves past stopped or slow-moving vehicles at 30km/h or less. Lane filtering is legal in NSW. Lane splitting is where a motorcycle rider moves past vehicles at more than 30km/h. Lane splitting is illegal.
Riding Motorcycle – Don't lane split on narrow roads
A lot of roads in Singapore are narrow and can be quite dangerous. They are made especially hairy by the closeness of cars on them, and so you must make sure you don't lane split on these narrow roads with their slim lanes.
Lane splitting is illegal in Nevada under NRS 486.351(2). This law states it is illegal for motorcycles or mopeds to pass another vehicle within the same lane.
Only California directly permits lane splitting. Several other states do not allow lane splitting but allow similar behaviors such as lane filtering. Arizona, Montana, and Utah permit lane filtering in a limited number of situations and Hawaii allows shoulder surfing.
The University of California at Berkeley published a report in May 2015 that concludes that motorcyclists who split lanes in heavy traffic are significantly less likely to be struck from behind by other motorists, are less likely to suffer head or torso injuries, and are less likely to sustain fatal injuries in a crash ...
California. California is the only state where lane splitting is legal.
Lane splitting (riding between moving vehicles) and filtering (moving forward between stopped vehicles) are illegal in B.C.
A study by the University of California Berkeley found that lane splitting significantly lowers the risk of motorists striking motorcycles from behind, reducing the chance of head and torso injuries.
Common advice from people who live/ ride in Portugal is if the traffic is stopped, you can filter to the left. If there is a solid line, don't cross it, but dash is ok. But there is a chance of a fine if caught, so filter/ lane split at your own risk.
Can you lane split in Chicago?
No, motorcycle lane splitting is not legal in Chicago or anywhere else in Illinois. According to the Illinois Vehicle Code, it is illegal for a motorcyclist to pass between any two lanes of moving vehicles simultaneously.
Florida Statutes § 316.209 is the state law that regulates the operation of vehicles on the road. Under this law, lane splitting is illegal in Florida. It states, “No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.”
Lanesplitting. Lanesplitting is not forbidden in the Netherlands, but there are some rules you should adhere to on motorways: You should ride between the leftmost lane and the lane next to that lane, and. The difference in speed between you and the cars should not be too big.
By the book, motorcycles may filter traffic only when all car vehicles are at halt. In real life, filtering is done by all greek motorcyclists no matter what the conditions are and car drivers are used to this, so most often they keep their eyes on their mirrors for motorcycles that are passing by.
French toll roads
They're far cheaper for bikes than cars, but costs can still mount up on a long trip. On some holiday weekends (and all year round at many toll bridges), passage is free for bikes; look out for signs directing you towards a separate lane off to one side.
