Edmonton has legalized motorcycle lane-splitting, becoming the second Canadian state to formally recognize a type of lane splitting. You can now filter between lanes and stopped traffic if you're a motorcycle rider. The bill allows motorcyclists traveling no faster than 15 mph to filter between lanes of stopped traffic moving in the same direction on roads where the speed limit is 45 mph or less.
The Canadian Motorcyclist Association endorses lane splitting as it eases street congestion and can keep motorcyclists out of harm’s way.
Is lane splitting legal in Canada? This is a common question in this situation. To get knowledge about those, you have to read this article.
What is lane splitting?
Lane splitting is when a motorcyclist rides between two cars heading in the same direction. It allows riders to ride on the white dashed line between lanes, and this practice is also called “white-lining.” California is the only state that legally allows lane splitting. Here’s an example: if you’re in slow-moving LA traffic on one of their many highways, you can legally ride between two lanes of traffic to get to your destination.
What's the difference between lane splitting and lane filtering?
Lane splitting is when a motorcyclist rides between two lanes of moving traffic heading in the same direction, whereas lane filtering is when a motorcyclist rides between two stopped or slow-moving cars.
What are the benefits of lane splitting?
There are three benefits to lane splitting:
It’s safer. It’s been proven that lane-splitting motorcyclists are injured much less frequently than non-lane splitting riders and are rear-ended less often.
It reduces traffic. Motorcycle riders who don’t lane split take up the same amount of space on the road as a car. By having motorcyclists' lanes split, they are reducing traffic.
Reduces motorcycle overheating. Motorcycles with air-cooled engines rely on fuel, oil, and airflow to cool the engine, so idling in traffic could cause overheating.
What is lane filtering?
Lane filtering is the act of using the road space between vehicles. In countries that allow filtering, it’s described as a move that motorcyclists can employ to move through stationary traffic or traffic traveling at a very slow pace. Filtering doesn’t necessarily have to occur between two vehicles. It can also be used on the space on the outside edge of a lane.
Some authorities consider lane filtering and lane splitting to be two different things, with filtering being the term used to apply to motorcycles and cyclists riding between stationary cars to move into a better and safer position at the front of a traffic queue. Lane splitting is often used to describe the more dangerous act of riding a motorcycle between moving traffic, often at a higher speed.
Difference Between Lane Splitting and Lane Filtering?
Once you think it through and understand the difference, you can see why lane filtering has much more support from non-motorcycling communities. m. To me, lane splitting, while I understand the potential benefits of it, given the fact of the dangers out there because of our four-wheeled brethren, I think it’s too dangerous.
So what’s the difference? Lane splitting is where you split two lanes of traffic going in the same direction. Think of being in between two four-wheeled vehicles in a two-lane highway going in the same direction.
You’re right in the middle of the two of them. Obviously, the point of this is only being able to do it during slow traffic. Lane filtering is much safer in the sense that it doesn’t allow the motorcycle to be in between two vehicles.
Instead, it allows the motorcycle rider to use the outside access area of the furthest right or left lane, so you’re not in between two vehicles. Let’s say you’re between a vehicle and a curb or a vehicle and the grass. You’re right there on that edge.
That’s what the bill in Utah got support in passing. You can see why that’s the case.
My Opinion On Which Is Safer
Personally, in all of the wrecks that I see, the cases that I handle, we already have a massive problem with the non-motorcycle riding community seeing motorcycles, not hitting motorcyclists, and wanting to be in between two vehicles seem super dangerous to me.
I get some of the benefits of it, but I think the downside dangers outweigh any benefits of lane splitting. I know I’m going to get some comments for that, but again, it’s not about motorcycle rights as much as it is safety.
Safety Guidelines
Because the legalization of lane splitting is recent, Utah’s state guidelines for lane splitting are still a work in progress. It is recommended that motorcyclists do not travel more than ten mph faster than the traffic it is passing. It is also not advisable to do this when traffic starts moving at 30 mph or faster. The quicker you pass, the less time you will have to react to a dangerous situation. Lanes one and two are the lanes safest to split, which are the lanes furthest to the left. The lanes furthest to the right see the most movement regarding traffic adjusting for on-ramps and exits, which makes it a lot more complicated to lane split.
By using the far-left lanes, you will be clear of semis and trailers, so you will be able to see over the top of most vehicles. An advantage to this is that it gives you a heads up of traffic flow ahead.
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