Motorcycle filtering legalised in NSW

NSW has become the first state or territory in Australia to legalise the practice of motorcycle lane filtering – but only for fully licensed riders.

The decision by the ruling Liberal-National Coalition government follows on from a two-month trial in 2013, with the practice to become legal on July 1, 2014.

According to the Trasport for NSW department, "Motorcycle lane filtering
is when a motorcycle rider moves past stationary or slow moving
vehicles in the same lane. Currently, it is illegal for motorcycle
riders to lane filter in Australia".

The legalisation of filtering is among a number of measures announced by the government to ease traffic congestion, especially in urban areas.

Under the scheme, fully licensed riders will be able to ride through stationary traffic at speeds up to 30km/h, but not in school zones, beside kerbs or next to trucks and buses.

After its successful trial of the new rules in the Sydney CBD last year, NSW Roads minister Duncan Gay said "we will introduce a new law that will permit fully licensed motorcyclists to legally filter past stationary vehicles at intersections when it is safe to do so".

Motorcycle council of NSW spokesman Chris Burns said the change to the road rules is a sensible move and will help ease traffic snarls.

"The benefits of lane filtering have been internationally recognised as a solution to traffic congestion in built up areas and will assist in relieving congestion issues on NSW’s major and minor routes thereby assisting drivers with their daily commutes," said Burns.

He added that the filtering laws would also reduce rider injuries, particularly cars ploughing into the rear of motorcycles.

"Some (car) drivers don’t actually understand that by filtering, riders are getting out of the rear-end danger zone which is the most common crash in NSW," he said.

Road safety advocate Maurice Blackburn Lawyers has also applauded the decision to legalise motorcycle filtering in Australia's most populous state.

"NSW has led the way and others should see the sense in it and do the same," said John Voyage, principal and road safety advocate at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers.

"It is a common sense approach. The government has successfully trialled this and listened to us and to the many thousands of motorcyclists who say lane filtering is safer for everyone and cuts traffic congestion."

Mr Voyage said it was encouraging that a number of state and territory governments were looking at lane filtering, but they now needed to take the next step and legalise it to reduce confusion among motorists and riders around Australia.

What do you think of the new laws? Have your say in the comments below.