US Inches Closer to Legal Lane Filtering

NEWSFLASH

"She flies with her own wings" - Oregon's inspiring motto. Some say it represent the spirit of independence, resilience and ingenuity embodied by its residents. In a step towards giving motorcyclists a new set of wings, Oregon has become the next in a series of states to move towards legalizing lane filtering. State Bill 574 will allow motorcyclists to pass between cars moving at up to 10 mph, but no faster than 10 mph faster than traffic - essentially parking lot speeds. Overwhelmingly approved by the state Senate, the bill must now be approved by the House then signed by the Governor before it can become law, but things look optimistic.

In fact, things are looking more and more optimistic for American lane filtering advocates in recent years, as states move toward introducing and passing similar bills. California, Utah and Montana have all officially legalized lane filtering in some form or another, passing legislation in 2016, 2019 and 2021 respectively. Washington State, Arizona and Virginia all have bills currently being considered by their legislature. This is Oregon's 4th attempt to pass a lane filtering law, but this time around it carries the weight of a Senate 18 to 6 super majority, which if mirrored in the House, could override a potential Governor veto. SB574 is carrying a palpable sense of momentum and could be a tipping point for other states to follow suit. 

However, the US as a whole lags far behind the rest of the world in lane filtering legislation. Most of Europe and Asia have explicitly protected the practice in an effort to keep motorcyclists safe and relieve urban congestion - a win win for all motorists. Yet popular sentiment in the US is filled with opposition due to perceived danger. Multiple data studies have confirmed that this perception is unfounded. In practice, lane filtering is much safer for motorcyclists. In 2009 MAIDS (Motorcycle Accident In-Depth Study) published a report that found only 0.4% of motorcycle accidents involved filtering. In 2011, Steve Guderian, a retired motorcycle cop and distinguished collision analyst, published a study of motorcycle accidents in the US and noted far fewer fatalities in California, where lane-splitting (as the practice is referred to by residents there) has been unofficially allowed for decades.  And in 2014 and 2015 formal studies of lane-splitting were published by Dr. Thomas Rice of UC Berkeley's Safe Transportation Research and Education Center which analyzed data from nearly 6,000 motorcycle-related collisions and concluded that lane filtering was the best way to reduce motorcyclist's exposure to the often fatal hazards of heavy stop-and-go traffic.

Having lived and moto-commuted in Los Angeles, one of the most congested bumper-to-bumper highway labyrinths in the United States, I can attest to the sense of security provided by lane filtering. Advancing ahead of traffic at red lights and tucking in between stationary or slowly moving columns of cars allowed me to get ahead of and avoid dangerous drivers, not to mention eliminate the chances of getting rear-ended at a stop. We motorcyclists have a spider-sense when it comes to scanning our surroundings and recognizing irresponsible, unsafe, negligent motorists. It's a necessary survival skill and honing that sense is essential. After a while, it becomes second nature. 

And there are no shortage of dangerous drivers in congested traffic, the very scenario that lane filtering is designed to address. Infotainment systems and giant touchscreens in cars seem to be growing bigger and more complex year-over-year. New technology is only one factor stealing driver's attention away from the road. The sheer monotony of stop and go rush-hour traffic can lull the most attentive driver into a stupor, especially after an insufficient night's sleep or an arduous day at work. And for the least attentive, well, let's just say I've seen some crazy behavior, from eating to putting on make-up at the wheel. Are these people driving with their knees?! I've even seen someone playing the harmonica in traffic! This doesn't include the countless drivers irresponsibly holding phones, talking, texting and swiping with careless abandon.

Hopefully Oregon's House and Governor allow the filtering legislation to go through. It feels like the tides are turning in he American public's perception - you can't argue with the statistics which clearly correlate filtering laws with lives saved. If you live in Oregon or any other state where lane filtering laws are pending, please contact your local representative and encourage them to support the bill. If you live in a state or country where filtering is a legal protected right, don't take it for granted, split traffic responsibly, and watch out for that crazy driver playing the harmonica.

Update: As of 5/17/21, Oregon's House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed SB574 42 to 14. From my understanding, the bill now needs to be signed by the governor to become law. Fingers crossed! Will update once agian when it becomes official.