AZ Lane Filtering Law Going To The Governor's Desk

[RDKLL]

For the riders in Arizona, it looks like we have a FANTASTIC chance to legalize lane filtering in AZ. It went through both houses with very strong support. I am putting a link that will make it very easy to send an email to the governor's desk to let him know we want this. https://igniteadvocacy.com/go/lane-filtering-bill-in-arizona-contact-the-governor-now-to-support-/350?fbclid=IwAR2vamfBBULZMRZyYF-Vh1oD75LQXLO35icETAZcJojygvqsSmjU2bHF97c

[RDKLL]

The Arizona law will mirror Utah's law  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKvg1DLok3s&t=8s

[Oss]

Could be some people in the Bronx are doing that at this time     filtering that is

[Jess from VA]

Calling it filtering doesn't make it safer than lane splitting.

It's one thing to slow roll up between cars to the front at a stop light, it's another to lane split on the freeway.

It had been legal in CA for many years when I lived there.  Even so, people didn't like it, and would squeeze you out (moving right to the edge of their lane), or open their doors.

I think the CA law said you could exceed the speed of traffic (up to the limit) by 5mph.  So if traffic was dead stopped, you could go 5.... not 55, which I saw done all the time.

VA will cite you reckless to ride the breakdown lane in a traffic backup.  I wish they'd make an exception for motorcycles.  All you want to do is get to the next exit ramp and get off.     

[sandy]

The way CA riders use it is stupid. Excessive speeding through traffic that’s already over the limit. Try doing that with our handlebar width. I’ll never do it.

[Robert]

I hope they do something like that here in S Fla since we have the HOV lanes and when stopped they have an added space between lanes, that is well wide enough for a motorcycle.

[RDKLL]

Calling it filtering doesn't make it safer than lane splitting.

Actually iy is VERY important to understand the difference. Filtering is riding between stopped cars to the front of the intersection to remove motorcycles from in between cars that, while stopping may or may not see the motorcycle. Splitting is going between moving cars at a speed faster than the cars, usually on a freeway. Your response was typical of the people that did not support it because they didnt understand it. They had tried for several years to get it passed but it failed. There will probably never be Lane Splitting in Arizona. A lot of the stuff I have heard from the non-motorcycle crowd: "It's not fair that they get to go ahead"! What is even stranger to understand...there are motorcycle folks that dont the it"s fair either. Maybe because their bikes are too big to fit. I dont know. But I am glad it will probably pass this time! Could be heading towards a waterfall moment if enough states pass something that almost the entire rest of the world do.

[carolinarider09]

Calling it filtering doesn't make it safer than lane splitting.

It's one thing to slow roll up between cars to the front at a stop light, it's another to lane split on the freeway.

It had been legal in CA for many years when I lived there.  Even so, people didn't like it, and would squeeze you out (moving right to the edge of their lane), or open their doors.

I think the CA law said you could exceed the speed of traffic (up to the limit) by 5mph.  So if traffic was dead stopped, you could go 5.... not 55, which I saw done all the time.

VA will cite you reckless to ride the breakdown lane in a traffic backup.  I wish they'd make an exception for motorcycles.  All you want to do is get to the next exit ramp and get off.     

 

Agreed

[..]

 "It's not fair that they get to go ahead"!

Chances are they aren't going to the same place as the idiot saying it. 

[Grandpot]

I don't think the fat lady will fit.

[Jess from VA]

Calling it filtering doesn't make it safer than lane splitting.

Actually iy is VERY important to understand the difference. Filtering is riding between stopped cars to the front of the intersection to remove motorcycles from in between cars that, while stopping may or may not see the motorcycle. Splitting is going between moving cars at a speed faster than the cars, usually on a freeway. Your response was typical of the people that did not support it because they didnt understand it. They had tried for several years to get it passed but it failed. There will probably never be Lane Splitting in Arizona. A lot of the stuff I have heard from the non-motorcycle crowd: "It's not fair that they get to go ahead"! What is even stranger to understand...there are motorcycle folks that dont the it"s fair either. Maybe because their bikes are too big to fit. I dont know. But I am glad it will probably pass this time! Could be heading towards a waterfall moment if enough states pass something that almost the entire rest of the world do.

Roadkill, if the AZ law only covers filtering ahead at stops, I would surely support it.

I did not read the law and just assumed it included all lane splitting.  Which by the way is also OK by me (as an expansion of freedom).... even if I never used it myself, except to escape some kind of bad thing.

I once rode through a 4 foot barrier opening between north and southbound I95 freeway in busy NoVA (to escape a complete jam in 100* sun).  Probably my fastest quarter mile ever using a 2 foot entrance ramp at a slow roll into the fast lane (of fast movers). 

What bothers me most about lane splitting at speed is how it gets abused by crazy riders (and packs of sport bikes, which I have witnessed in person a number of times, with cops in pursuit too.)   I was lawfully stopped in traffic, and as the cops came through, one slowed hard and looked at me as a possible offender.  I shook my head no and pointed ahead, where they had all gone already.  It gives motorcycling a bad name/image/mojo.   

[carolinarider09]

I don't think the fat lady will fit.

 

[John Schmidt]

Call it what you like...lane splitting or filtering, I've known and understood the difference for many years but have never done it following witnessing an accident of lane filtering. The rider never knew what hit him from the side, and didn't live to find out. Cars were at a stoplight but left an opening for a van leaving a parking lot to the right. He saw an opeing and gunned it, t-boning the rider that was passing through at a slow rate. I've seen similar incidents over the years and cringe whenever I see a rider coming through the lines. An amusing item...I once saved a guy from a ticket in Florida which doesn't allow such action. He started to pull up between the lines at a light and I was #1 in the right lane. As he came up I opened my door and pointed to a trooper in the opposite lane that already had his lights on as I spoke so we chatted for a moment to make it look like we were friends...the trooper shut off the lights. Rider reached up, gave me a thumbs up as I handed him a candy wrapper to pretend I was giving him a not...he understood. Light changed, I waved him on and he rode off casually. Trooper looked at me with a grin but waved his index finger like he knew exactly what happened but din't act on it.

[RDKLL]

Roadkill, if the AZ law only covers filtering ahead at stops, I would surely support it.

Yes, it is ONLY lane filtering at this point but lane splitting is something that may get looked at later after a period of time to demonstrate the effectiveness of the lane filtering. Utah has good data that shows lives are being saved.  The sport bikes do their sport bike stuff and even if lane splitting was legal, they would still be breaking the law. 

[Rocketman]

Utah has good data that shows lives are being saved. 

Interesting.  Are there any theories on how it actually saves lives?  I thought it was just a time saver.

[carolinarider09]

Interesting.  Are there any theories on how it actually saves lives?  I thought it was just a time saver.

If you do a search you will find that the reason it is thought to "save lives" is because it is hard to get rear ended when you are between two cars/trucks/busses. 

[Ramie]

Never understood why they don't just let us 2 wheelers use the shoulders instead of lane spitting.

[Jess from VA]

Shoulder and break down lanes are for ambulance/rescue/cops and not for citizens.

Cars and trucks could easily shut them down... but it's hard to see how bikes could.  

[Serk]

Shoulder and break down lanes are for ambulance/rescue/cops and not for citizens.

Cars and trucks could easily shut then down... but it's hard to see how bikes could. 

Just following the logic, if they allowed bikes, then trikes would go, then Slingshots, then.... the lane is blocked for emergency vehicles all over again?

Just a WAG.....

[carolinarider09]

Just following the logic, if they allowed bikes, then trikes would go, then Slingshots, then.... the lane is blocked for emergency vehicles all over again?

Just a WAG.....

Sauce for the Goose, Sauce for the Gander.

In my humble opinion, when someone is singled out for "special treatment" there has to be a good darn reason.   Not just a personal choice.

Just my two cents.

[RDKLL]

It was signed by the governor yesterday. Wont go into effect until 90 days after the end of the session. Looks like late summer. In the meantime there will be an education period to let everyone know what's what about the law. There may also be enhanced charges (not sure what the right wording is) if someone purposely impedes a legally operated motorcycle...like open a car door or something like that.

[..]

Never understood why they don't just let us 2 wheelers use the shoulders instead of lane spitting.

Chances are there'd be a idiot doing light speed as another vehicle moves into the emergency lane - for whatever the reason.

[..]

Cliff Notes for AZ

Only if there's 2 lanes or more in the same direction of travel
Only passing stopped vehicles.
Bike no more than 15 mph
Posted speed limit is 45 or less

[RDKLL]

What he said but with a pictures and a video. It says Utah but Arizona law will mirror it.
 https://dpsnews.utah.gov/utahs-new-lane-filtering-law/

[Rocketman]

If you do a search you will find that the reason it is thought to "save lives" is because it is hard to get rear ended when you are between two cars/trucks/busses. 

That makes sense, hadn't thought of it that way.  Thanks.

[Rocketman]

My 2 cents:  The more common this is, the more safe it'll be.  If people know to look for it, or at least aren't startled as much by it, things will go better for everyone. 
Of course some people will abuse it, but the law as written prohibits people from splitting, and from going crazy with filtering.  Saying that we shouldn't have a law that permits something because other people might do something else doesn't make sense.

And lastly, my experience:  I've never done the "filtering" thing, just lane splitting, and just once.  When we lived in CA, the traffic was at a standstill, so we split lanes for a few minutes.  It was the most terrifying few minutes I've ever spent on a motorcycle.  I just knew we weren't going to fit through that next gap, or that the cars ahead were going to drift and (intentionally or not) pinch us.  NOTE:  That was on my old Suzuki, which felt wide at the time, but nothing compared to a Valkyrie.
Bottom line though:  Just because I don't want to do it, that doesn't mean I don't want anyone else to do it.

[Jess from VA]

It was the most terrifying few minutes I've ever spent on a motorcycle.

I (carefully and politely) lane split in CA a dozen times (freeways).

It always made me nervous.

I've had many more actually terrifying events on motorcycles though.  

Falling over in a turn on a big gas spill, sliding backwards on my back with the bike sliding right next to me, for about 60 feet, coming to a stop and being elated I was not hurt, but before I could get up, a big Lincoln Continental almost ran my head over.... screeching brakes, tire 2 feet from my head.  That was terrifying.  Uncontrollable shakes for about 5 minutes (not the fall and slide, the almost getting my head run over).

[carolinarider09]

If you do a search you will find that the reason it is thought to "save lives" is because it is hard to get rear ended when you are between two cars/trucks/busses. 

That makes sense, hadn't thought of it that way.  Thanks.

You are welcome. 

[J.Mencalice]

I'm for anything that culls the herd.   No helmets, lane splitting doing 85, filtered cigarettes, unfiltered cigarettes, filtered lanes, just say no to braking, forgetting about that 90* curve sign ahead, flashing RR gate crossing ignore, nuclear war.
I'm fine with the states bordering us to the west and south to enact these fine pieces of government legislation and intervention.
Would someone alert Texas, please?
It's all good!  Let Darwinism and Nature and the laws of Physics take their rightful course.
 

[Willow]

The unsubstantiated criticism is overwhelming.  The filtering (or even lane splitting) laws do not require anyone to do so.  If you don't like it don't do it.  Leave alone those who choose otherwise.

The general criticism of riders with no supporting stats, or even with allegedly supporting stats, is not unlike the arguments of those who do not ride against those who choose to do so.