On April 4, 2024, Colorado governor Jared Polis formally signed motorcycle lane filtering and passing into the state’s legislation.

SB 24-079, which was sponsored by state senators Nick Hinrichsen and Jim Smallwood and state representatives Javier Mabrey and Ron Weinberg, now makes it authorized for two-wheeled bikes (not trikes or sidecars, in different phrases) to overhaul or move one other car in the identical lane so long as sure standards are met.

Under the brand new legislation, the next situations need to be met for lane filtering to be permissible:

• The motorized vehicle to be handed is stopped
• Motor automobiles in adjoining lanes which might be in the identical path of journey because the bike are additionally stopped
• The rider (the invoice says “driver”) of the bike is on a street with lanes which might be extensive sufficient to permit protected passing
• The bike can solely move at a velocity of 15 miles per hour or much less
• “Conditions permit prudent operation of the motorcycle while overtaking or passing.”
• If the motor automobiles to be handed begin transferring, the bike shall stop overtaking and/or passing these automobiles.

Some different situations about bike behaviors that aren’t allowed apply, as properly:

• Riders can’t overtake on the appropriate shoulder
• Riders additionally can’t overtake to the appropriate of any car within the farthest right-hand lane if a freeway will not be limited-access
• Riders might also not move in a lane of site visitors that’s transferring in the wrong way

Colorado’s New Lane Filtering Law Is Only Temporary For The Moment

This is a extremely vital factor to notice, as a result of this new legislation is meant to assist the Colorado Department of Transportation collect security knowledge to show whether or not lane filtering is, in truth, a protected and viable everlasting legislation change that must be introduced into impact within the state.

As it is at the moment written, this new legislation will probably be repealed efficient September 1, 2027. From the time you are studying this till that point, it will likely be authorized to filter so long as riders adhere to the factors above. During that point, CDOT will probably be accumulating knowledge to research the way it’s working for drivers and riders, and whether or not any modifications have to be applied. 

Among the specifics that CDOT will probably be analyzing are the next:

• Motorcycle rear-end collisions, each earlier than and after the date that lane filtering is quickly made authorized within the state
• The comparative severity of bike rear-end collisions in heavy site visitors earlier than and after the efficient date of this legislation
• Motorcycle side-swipe collisions whereas overtaking and/or passing at a fee of 15 miles per hour or much less earlier than and after the efficient date of this legislation

It is everybody’s hope that implementation of this legislation will imply fewer rear-end collisions involving motorcyclists, severe or in any other case. As for the side-swipes, riders do not typically need these, both (legislation or no legislation). Here’s hoping the information helps a everlasting adoption of this legislation and that it stays on the books in Colorado for good.

Other states the place lane filtering and/or lane splitting will not be but authorized: Are you paying consideration?