WHY ALLOW LANE FILTERING?
Lane filtering cuts down on congestion at busy traffic lights. It also helps eliminate crashes from motorists hitting a motorcycle while stopped at a red light.
Lane Filtering Law
In May of 2019, the Utah Legislature passed a bill allowing lane filtering by motorcycles. Lane filtering is when a motorcyclist travels between lanes of stopped traffic.
A motorcyclist may use lane filtering
Lane filtering is legal in Utah anywhere the posted speed limit is 45 mph or less. This means it is never legal on the freeway.
Motorcycle speeds can not be more than 15 mph when filtering.
Lane filtering in Utah is legal only when the road has two or more lanes in the same direction.
lane filtering is only legal while traffic is stopped, once traffic begins moving the motorcyclist must merge back into a lane as soon as possible.
how to safely use lane filtering:
When lane filtering remember to only use marked travel lanes. Riding in the shoulder or bike lanes is illegal.
Only on Roads With Two or More Lanes in the Same Direction
Only Allowed Between Stopped Vehicles
Motorcycle Lane Filtering in Utah - Education for drivers and motorcyclists.
Max Motorcycle Speed 15 MPH
Only Legal on Roads With Speed of 45 MPH or Less
Lane Filtering Tip: Be Kind
Lane Filtering Tip: Never Legal on Freeways or On/Off Ramps
Lane Filtering Tip: Be Courteous
Lane filtering is different than lane splitting. Utah’s lane filtering law is VERY different from California’s lane splitting law.
Lane splitting: Riding a motorcycle between lanes or rows of slow moving or stopped traffic moving in the same direction. Lane splitting is illegal in Utah.
Lane filtering: Unlike lane “splitting,” lane “filtering” is intended to provide a “safety pocket” for motorcycles when encountering stopped traffic. Motorcyclists may only engage in lane filtering if ALL the following criteria are met:
- Must be operating a motorcycle
- Traveling on a roadway with two or more lanes in the same direction
- Speed limit on the roadway must be 45 miles per hour or less
- The vehicle(s) being overtaken by the motorcycle must be stopped
- The motorcycle must be traveling at a speed of 15 miles per hour or less
- The movement may be made safely
MOTORCYCLE TIP: Before engaging in lane filtering be hyper alert and prepared to anticipate possible movements by other motorists.
Lane filtering should be exercised with extreme caution. Lane filtering should not be performed by inexperienced riders. Just because lane filtering is legal in Utah (under specific circumstances), doesn’t mean it is always a safe action to take. Every rider has the ultimate responsibility for their own decision-making and safety. Don’t lane filter unless you are confident you can do so safely.
