On April 4, 2024, Colorado governor Jared Polis formally signed motorbike lane filtering and passing into the state’s regulation.
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 cross one other automobile in the identical lane so long as sure standards are met.
Beneath the brand new regulation, the next situations must 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 motorbike are additionally stopped The rider (the invoice says “driver”) of the motorbike is on a highway with lanes which might be broad sufficient to permit secure passing The motorbike can solely cross at a velocity of 15 miles per hour or much less “Circumstances allow prudent operation of the motorbike whereas overtaking or passing.” If the motor automobiles to be handed begin transferring, the motorbike shall stop overtaking and/or passing these automobiles.
Another situations about motorbike behaviors that aren’t allowed apply, as nicely:
Riders can’t overtake on the proper shoulder Riders additionally can’t overtake to the proper of any automobile within the farthest right-hand lane if a freeway just isn’t limited-access Riders might also not cross in a lane of site visitors that’s transferring in the other way
Colorado’s New Lane Filtering Legislation Is Solely Momentary For The Second
It is a actually vital factor to notice, as a result of this new regulation is meant to assist the Colorado Division of Transportation collect security knowledge to show whether or not lane filtering is, the truth is, a secure and viable everlasting regulation change that must be introduced into impact within the state.
Because it’s at present written, this new regulation might be repealed efficient September 1, 2027.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 standards above. Throughout that point, CDOT might be gathering knowledge to investigate the way it’s working for drivers and riders, and whether or not any modifications must be carried out.
Among the many specifics that CDOT might be analyzing are the next:
Bike 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 regulation Bike side-swipe collisions whereas overtaking and/or passing at a price of 15 miles per hour or much less earlier than and after the efficient date of this regulation
It’s everybody’s hope that implementation of this regulation 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 (regulation or no regulation). Here is hoping the info helps a everlasting adoption of this regulation and that it stays on the books in Colorado for good.
Different states the place lane filtering and/or lane splitting just isn’t but authorized: Are you paying consideration?
