Lawmakers passed a bill in 2021 to let motorcyclists ride between lanes of congested traffic, but it was vetoed. . This new standard was established in 2016, although lane splitting was informally allowed in the years prior to the change. Lane filtering is the practice of motorcycles filtering through two lanes of stopped traffic going in the same direction. Lane splitting, also known as lane sharing, white-lining, or stripe-riding, is a driving maneuver typically practiced by motorcycle riders. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, “Passing or overtaking a vehicle in the same lane is illegal in Colorado; no lane sharing or splitting with cars. Lane splitting at low speeds, also known as traffic filtering, is what secures these benefits for everyone. Because it is illegal in most states — including Virginia — there is really little data on the number of accidents lane splitting. The state’s law was modeled after California law which defines lane splitting as “driving a motorcycle between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane. A: Lane sharing is often confused with lane splitting, as the term can imply something similar. Utah uses the term lane filtering to describe the practice and defines it thusly: “Lane filtering” means, when operating a motorcycle other than an autocycle, the act of overtaking and passing another vehicle that is stopped in the same direction of travel in the same lane. In the United States, only California has laws that explicitly allow lane-splitting. In Texas, there is no law specific to lane splitting. 2021 in Westchester. The 4-year-old law lets motorcycles move between stopped. Lane splitting is legal in California because the state recognizes this practice as a useful tool to decrease traffic congestion since the volume of traffic is much higher than in other states. Currently, California is the only state that allows lane-splitting, and even then, it’s only allowed under certain circumstances. However, motorcycle drivers must follow lane-splitting etiquette. 51. Mar 30, 2022. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident call us today for a free consultation. Because California’s lane-splitting laws are so unique, you’ll need a personal injury attorney with the skill and knowledge to handle your case. Yes, motorcyclists can share a driving lane side-by-side in Texas. 1972). In some states, it is legal to lane split, while in other states it is considered illegal. Updated on Oct 18, 2022. The practice is also common in Europe and Asia. In 2016, it was declared legal across the state. Lane sharing is another act that is legalized in different ways, but. 55 of the Ohio Revised Code, which is where you can find these rules, allows for two motorcycles to ride side by side within one lane. There, motorcyclists can lane split, with a recommendation to not split lanes over 30 mph. By: Janaki Jitchotvisut. The state does not have any specific laws that address or regulate lane splitting. Zach Courts. Utah passed legislation enabling the similar practice of lane filtering in 2019, which allows motorcyclists to proceed to the front of a line of traffic at intersections. Bill to allow ‘lane splitting’ by motorcyclists clears Oregon Legislature. A state bill has been introduced that would allow operators of a two-wheeled motorcycle to pass another vehicle that is stopped or traveling at no more than 10 miles an hour between two lanes of traffic. The state of Montana legalized lane splitting in 2021. Plus, they point to states like California where lane splitting is legal and accidents like rear-end collisions are actually lower. While many bikers do it anyway, lane splitting in Oklahoma may result in a citation, fine, and points on. Quirk's legislation, Assembly Bill 51, was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown on Friday and officially codifies lane-splitting as a legal maneuver across California. Lane splitting is legal in some areas of the United States, while it is illegal in others. No. The state does not have any specific laws that address or regulate lane splitting. The bill: * passed full Senate and House floor votes, with 3-to-1 bipartisan majorities * had 17 sponsors, with a nearly even split of Democrats and Republicans, House and Senate, from rural, urban, and suburban districtsThe Current Legal Status of Lane Splitting in Texas. It is illegal for motorcyclists to ride between lanes of cars in slowed or stopped traffic. Filtering is legal in certain circumstances. Most states have made the practice of lane-splitting illegal. You might not associate Montana with. New York’s Lane Splitting Laws. Lane splitting is illegal in most states, but is allowed in some, like California. In the United States, lane splitting is only legal in a few states, including California, Utah, and Montana. Lane splitting, or riding a motorcycle between lanes, is a great way for motorcyclists to reduce congestion and potentially save time when commuting. Several other states do not allow lane splitting but allow similar behaviors. Lane splitting occurs when a motorcycle rides at any speed between two lanes of stopped traffic. Arizona became the 4th state to make lane filtering legal for motorcycles in 2022. It’s legal in plenty of other places outside the U. However, under House Bill 917, it will be legal for motorcycles to go between lanes, provided that they run at five to 15 mph above the surrounding traffic. LANE SPLITTING LAWS IN CALIFORNIA. California traffic engineers have determined that lane splitting helps traffic flow. The state did not have a law that formally allowed lane splitting until 2016. In December 2016, State Senator Kirk Watson (D) introduced Senate Bill 288, which would have allowed lane-splitting in Texas, so long as the rider was travelling in traffic moving slower than 20 mph and was going no more than 5 mph faster than other road users. About a dozen states don't really address the topic, while all other states prohibit it. You could potentially recover damages such as medical bills, income loss, pain and suffering, and others. Oakland, CA 94601. Like in 47 other states, it's illegal in Arizona for motorcyclists to roll through the space between lanes of traffic, commonly known as lane splitting. The Montana Senate Bill 9 went into effect on October 1, 2021, making lane-splitting legal in Big Sky Country. This means that any type of lane splitting is. Still, Hawaii, Montana, Arizona, and Utah have modified versions of the. Hawaii. State of California David S Kim, Secretary California State Transportation Agency Steve Gordon, Director. Lane splitting is considered a moving violation that can result in a ticket. Is lane splitting legal in Florida 2021? Although many, if not all, riders in Florida regularly split lanes while driving through heavily congested traffic, it is still illegal under Florida Statute 316. However, this does not mean that it is completely legal. The research indicates that lane splitting is generally safe when it happens in traffic moving slower than 50 mph so long as the motorcyclist does not operate 15 mph faster than surrounding traffic. Illinois law does not specifically allow the practice, but it does not specifically prohibit it either. California was, for decades, the only state that allowed lane splitting. 625 ILCS 5/11-703 states that: (c) The driver of a 2 wheeled vehicle may not, in passing upon the left of any vehicle proceeding in the same direction, pass upon the right of any vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless there is an unobstructed lane of traffic available to permit such passing maneuver. She vetoed that bill, citing concerns about public safety and compliance issues. California was one of the first states to embrace lane-splitting even before it was legal; motorists and motorcyclists approved of the practice for years. Lane-splitting is the practice of a motorcyclist riding between two lanes or rows of slowly moving or stopped traffic. S. A bill to legalize lane splitting passed the legislature in 2021 with bipartisan support, but then-Gov. Lane splitting is legal in a number of states across the US. In states where lane splitting is not legal or illegal, the police officer responding to the scene of the accident may determine who was at fault for causing the collision in their report. His offices are located at 235 Montgomery St. Lane splitting is a driving approach the place a motorcyclist rides between rows of stopped or shifting autos in the identical lane. The new. It is quite commonplace in most all of Europe, Asia, and some other countries in the world to see motorcyclists lane filtering when vehicles are stopped at a stop light, or actual lane splitting when sharing lanes at normal speeds. In some states, such as Florida and Georgia, there are bills pending that would legalize lane splitting. Of the 50 states, only California has legalized lane splitting, and though there have been attempts to legalize it in Nevada, Texas, Washington and Oregon, it’s still a dream outside the Golden State. Montana. Plenty of other U. First, not only is lane-sharing or lane-splitting legal in California, but the CHP wrote the safety guidelines as instructed in AB51, which was approved by Gov. “ (a) An operator on a roadway divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic: (1) shall drive as nearly as practical entirely within a single lane. It’s important to note that lane splitting is NOT the same as lane-sharing, which refers to a situation in which two or more motorcycles ride side by side in the same lane. In California, for example, lane splitting is allowed when traffic is moving at a speed of less than 50 miles per hour and the motorcycle is traveling no more than 10 miles per hour faster than the cars it is passing. Lane sharing is when two motorcycles are traveling side by side in the same lane. Lane filtering is where a motorcycle rider moves past stopped or slow-moving vehicles at 30km/h or less. July 20, 2021. John Chaussee has been a motorcyclist for years, hitting the open road on his Kawasaki bike. Now, with a new governor in. C. In Utah, filtering through traffic is only permitted under certain conditions. The other vehicles must be fully stopped, and you can’t go any faster than 45 mph. While there is no specific law that prohibits lane sharing in the state of Ohio, it becomes an issue because it breaks other existing traffic laws. As of the time of writing, lane splitting is illegal in Illinois. Note that states sometimes change their laws, and some states have revisited lane splitting laws in recent years. License Laws in Arkansas: 3. In 2021, that number capped at 592. All other states have either banned lane splitting or simply don’t have laws addressing the issue. However, there is no clear path forward for a lane splitting bill to become law in this state. Arizona Gov. (1) overtake and pass, in the same. No, lane splitting is illegal in Connecticut and has a section ( Sec. Presently, it’s only the state of California that allows motorcycles to lane split. Lane splitting is legal in some states, and illegal in others. Tons of people from the 0mph stop-and-go lane are going to try and jump into the 10mph lane without noticing or caring about you. 1905 Lana Avenue NE. 9. 503-986-4198. Lane splitting, also known as lane sharing or filtering, is the practice of riding a motorcycle between lanes of slow moving or stopped traffic in the same direction as that traffic. Lane splitting is illegal in. 2021. The only time that motorcyclists are not obligated to remain in. In states where lane splitting is illegal, motorcyclists may be subject to fines or other punishments for breaking the law. Lane splitting is only permitted in the state of California. In other states, such as New York and Connecticut, the practice has been explicitly banned. Arizona became the 4th state to make lane filtering legal for motorcycles in 2022. It is also commonly referred to as filtering. There are 10 states where it's not specifically legal or banned. Schroeder's maneuver, known as lane filtering or lane splitting, was legalized in Montana two years ago, when the Legislature passed Senate Bill 9. The states we discussed above all have laws specifically governing the circumstances under which lane splitting is legal. At the present time, only one state—California—has specifically declared lane-splitting to be legal. Lane splitting is legal in some states, while it is illegal in others. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, “Passing or overtaking a vehicle in the same lane is illegal in Colorado; no lane sharing or splitting with cars. a Brief history of 2021’s senate bill 574. FILTERING, lane-splitting, whatever you want to call it - it’s legal in some places, tolerated in others, and outright banned in some countries. Is lane splitting legal outside of NC? Other states, including California, Montana, and Utah, have laws allowing motorcyclists to move between vehicles on the road, but with specific regulations. Despite the previous. Kate Brown vetoed the bill, convinced that it wasn’t safe. The state House of Representatives on Monday gave its blessing to Senate Bill 574, a proposal that allows motorcyclists to drive. The measure was signed into law on September 24, 2022. by E. Q: What Happens if Lane Splitting Causes an Accident? A: If lane splitting leads to an accident, the fault for the incident will likely fall to whichever motorist splits the. In short, no. I thought in this country everything is legal unless there is a law against it. In 2018, Utah became the second state to legally recognize. THE BROADER TRANSPORTATION BENEFITS OF LANE SHARING Lane sharing consists of lane splitting and lane filtering. ”. According to state legislature, the motorcyclist is entitled to the full use of the lane. As of the time of writing, lane splitting is illegal in Illinois. 4 2008 MV Agusta F4 R 312 – 193 mph. Posted: Nov 12, 2021 / 12:12 PM. State law specifically targets the behavior. Bills proposed in other states have similar guidelines, though none have attracted enough support to get anywhere. In addition to. However, lane splitting is not legal in Texas. However, many riders do not realize that lane-splitting is not legal in North Carolina, and some knowingly violate. Utah has its own rules on the matter. ”. Is lane-splitting legal in Ga 2021?California was the first state to allow lane-splitting for motorcyclists. Lane Splitting is Illegal in New York. Lane splitting is legal in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Texas, and Utah. There is no technicality of stopping someone from breaking the law when you're not a peace officer, that is called being a vigilante and is. They are on the road with a speed limit of 45 miles per hour or less and believe the move is safe. However, lane splitting is also not authorized in Missouri. Also known as lane filtering, lane splitting is a widespread practice around the world in which motorcycles share lanes with cars and trucks to reduce traffic congestion. The law also allows motorcyclists to engage in lane filtering, which means passing between lanes of slower. Lane splitting can be dangerous for a number of reasons. Motorcycle Lane Splitting States. Kate Brown vetoed the bill, convinced that it wasn’t safe. state to allow lane splitting; the practice is currently prohibited throughout the rest of the. Lane filtering is only acceptable in Arizona under. The concept is simple: motorcycles pass between other. Lane filtering is legal in Arizona under certain conditions, but motorcycles cannot split lanes in Arizona while traffic is moving. There are 12 other states in which the practice is questionable, such as Texas, Montana, Missouri, Arkansas, and North Carolina. I keep a finger on the passing light, flash it once in a while and cover the brake. This typically happens at stop lights. In particular, driving on the shoulder – proposed for legalization along with lane. First, not only is lane sharing or lane splitting legal in California but the CHP wrote the safety guidelines as instructed in AB51, which was approved by Gov. For a free legal consultation, call 516-932-0400 . (COLORADO) – The Colorado State Patrol is sending a clear reminder to motorcycle riders that lane splitting is illegal in Colorado. ” New York is far from the only state that bans lane splitting, and several other states don’t have any laws about it on their books. Since lane splitting is illegal in the state of Wisconsin, a motorcyclist who violates the laws in this manner may be held liable for any injuries or damages that result from an accident. Lane splitting is legal in some areas of the United States, while it is illegal in others. In general, when lane splitting is legal, it's typically only allowed at lower rates of speed (often up to 40 miles per hour) and when the motorcycle isn't moving more than 10 to 15 miles per hour faster than surrounding traffic. Lane splitting is illegal in most other states in the United. However, the law states that only two riders. Currently, lane splitting is not legal in New Mexico. Lane-splitting is a common practice in many areas of the world. Lane splitting is legal in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Texas, and Utah. The state is technically neutral on the subject. California (A. by: Dara Bitler. However, many riders do not realize that lane-splitting is not legal in North Carolina, and some knowingly violate. Under New York State laws, motorcyclists are permitted to the full use of a lane. California is the most well-known state when it comes to the legality of lane splitting. Out-of-state riders should familiarize themselves with the laws of each state. A bill to legalize lane splitting passed the legislature in 2021 with bipartisan support, but then-Gov. Lane splitting is legal only in a single state in the United States. B. Examples would be improper passing, unlawful lane use, reckless driving, ect. . Lane splitting occurs when a motorcycle rides at any speed between two lanes of stopped traffic. Lane splitting, which is the practice of a motorcyclist riding between lanes of traffic to pass other vehicles, is not explicitly legal or illegal in Montana. December 6, 2021 Uncategorized;. However, motorcycles can share a lane or. Texas law states that motorcyclists, like other drivers, must drive within a single lane. Other states, including Washington and Oregon, are considering making lane splitting legal, while one state – Utah – explicitly allows lane filtering but not lane splitting. Some states look the other way and do not specifically address lane splitting in their. As of 2022, California is the first and only state to make lane splitting explicitly legal, and before that, it was a respected practice. In 2018, Utah became the second state to legally recognize. In most states, lane splitting is illegal, and can result in a ticket or even arrest. However, the law states that only two riders. According to Section 4511. The weather and road conditions permit safe and reasonable. 060, a roadway operator who is in at least two clearly marked traffic lanes shall drive as practically as possible within one lane. In these states, lane splitting is consideredCalifornia is the only state that has made lane-splitting legal. Motorcycle filtering laws in your state Queensland. (1) All motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full use of a lane. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, for its part, states that lane-splitting is accepted in many countries across the world and that further research should be done into its possible safety benefits. However, it is not legal in Ohio. UtahUnder current law, the driver of a motorcycle is prohibited from overtaking or passing a motor vehicle by driving in the same lane as the motor vehicle or between rows of motor vehicles, a practice known as "lane splitting". Some states have no laws either for or against it. 1. But some states just have no rules on the book governing lane splitting. The statutes make no reference to lane sharing, lane filtering, or lane splitting in Arkansas. In these states, lane splitting is. This practice is often conflated with lane sharing, which describes two vehicles riding side-by-side in the same lane of traffic. Due to the right-of-way laws, it is considered a traffic. Lane Splitting Laws. No, lane splitting is not legal in Michigan. In Utah, motorcyclists can pass between 2-lanes of traffic, but only when traffic is stopped (a practice called “filtering”). After years of attempts, lane splitting might be coming to Oregon. Jan 31, 2023. Lane splitting is where a motorcycle rider moves past vehicles at more than 30km/h. However, enforcement is rare, and the general practice of driving safely and obeying the rules of the road is more important. On March 21, 2023, after the third reading of SB 422 A in the Oregon state senate, it passed with that new amendment intact (hence the addition of the A at the end of the bill number). New York is one of them. As of now, lane splitting is not explicitly legal or illegal in Hawaii. A few years ago, California passed a law that allows some degree of lane splitting to prevent gridlock. 2 MV Agusta F4 LH44. The law allows two-wheeled motorbike riders to pass other cars in the same lane and direction of travel if they are going at 15 miles per hour or less. Traffic is going less than 20 mph or is at a stop. The state did not legalize it; instead, it simply updated the language in the California Vehicle Code section 21658. Lane splitting, also known as “white lining” and even “lane filtering” in some regions, is a practice where a motorcyclist rides their bike between lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic on a multi-lane road. If you’ve ever been startled out of the doldrums of your afternoon commute by a thundering, lane-splitting Harley Davidson and cursed whoever is responsible, you’re not alone. In the U. Discover the comprehensive state-by-state guide to motorcycle laws, covering helmets, lane splitting, licensing, and more. The truth is, there is no specific law in Texas that prohibits lane splitting. Not specifically prohibited in state law. B. The lack of legislation on this issue leaves room for interpretation and enforcement by law enforcement officers. A lane-splitting motorcyclist is at the very least guilty of contributory negligence. However, this does not mean that it is completely legal. B. S. Here in Springfield, a rider slipped between two moving cars sparking the question. Once passed, this law will allow lane-filtering events at red lights as long as the cars are stationary. However, about a dozen states have refused to weigh in with an opinion on the matter. As mentioned earlier, while this practice is not legal in Pennsylvania, it doesn’t seem to stop motorcyclists from doing it. , Ste 668, San Francisco, CA 94104 and at 3140 Chapman St. , Ste 668, San Francisco, CA 94104 and at 3140 Chapman St. Per Illinois statute 625 ILCS §5/11-703 (c), any person operating a two-wheeled vehicle such as a motorcycle, moped, or. Currently, the only state that explicitly allows lane splitting is California. In the few states where lane splitting is legal, laws have been passed to explicitly ensure its legality. Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 51 into law in California, which officially made lane splitting’s status legal. However, even there the laws could be about to change with a new bill allowing lane filtering only when traffic is travelling 30mph (48km/h) or less and riders can only filter at 10mph (16km/h) faster than surrounding traffic. 9,. Lane splitting is a motorcycle maneuver in which a rider passes between lanes of stopped or slow-moving traffic. In previous times, some Texas legislators attempted to change lane-splitting laws to no avail. Lane splitting to create more personal space becomes threatening as it can lead to serious motorcycle accidents. On March 21, 2023, after the third reading of SB 422 A in the Oregon state senate, it passed with that new amendment intact (hence the addition of the A at the end of the bill number). Lane splitting is currently illegal in many states. Lane splitting is legal in the states of California, Arizona, and Nevada. Only California specifically articulates that lane splitting is legal. Lane splitting, however, is prohibited. Jerry Brown in 2016. Gjelten September 4, 2023, 3:51 pmThe debate over lane-splitting is contentious, to say the least. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Oregon 'lane splitting' bill would allow motorcyclists to travel between lanes of traffic; A similar bill passed in 2021 but was vetoed by then-Gov. Lane filtering is legal in NSW. . Lane splitting is legal in only one state, California, but four others allow modified versions, and many others are without regulations. Kate Brown vetoed the bill, convinced that it wasn't safe. Oakland, CA 94601. B. In October 2021, The passing of . This subsection shall not apply to motorcycles operated two abreast in a single lane. The aye. Lane filtering became legal in 2021 for motorcyclists under the following circumstances:. California was the first state to allow it and passed a formal law at the beginning of 2017. Our legal experts will ensure you have the best outcome possible. Lane splitting is riding a bicycle or motorcycle between lanes or rows of slow moving or stopped traffic moving in the same direction. The new Arizona lane splitting law, SB 1273, is very limited but it allows motorcyclists to ride between lanes of traffic stopped at a light. Call Clark Law for a Free Consultation with a Car Accident Lawyer. The maneuver is permitted when “on a road with lanes wide enough to pass safely. Lane splitting is legal in California because the state recognizes this practice as a useful tool to decrease traffic congestion since the volume of traffic is much higher than in other states. The definition of lane splitting refers to the act of riding a motorcycle between rows of moving vehicles. 1 to define rather than forbid lane splitting. You can be stopped and penalized for the practice. While a smaller vehicle such as a bicycle, a motorized bike, or a motorcycle might be capable of finding space to ride alongside or pass a car in the same lane, it is a violation of Alabama law to employ these maneuvers. 1905 Lana Avenue NE. In 2016, state representative Joseph Lachance introduced HB 1308, which would have allowed lane-splitting when traffic was stopped or moving 10 miles per hour or less. The state’s Motorcycle Operator Manual issued a stern warning against lane splitting. While there is currently proposed legislation to allow lane splitting, it is not legal in Virginia. So, what states is lane splitting legal in 2021? At the moment, the legality of lane splitting is still being debated in a number of states. As of 2021, Los. Those states include: Arkansas; Delaware; Washington, D. Previous Attempts at Lane Splitting Legislation in Texas Lane splitting is legal in some states and illegal in others. Arizona was the third state to make lane splitting legal, therefore motorcyclists will not face any potential jail time for riding between adjacent lanes. The motorcyclist rides the white line between the lanes of traffic to pass the slower-moving vehicle around them. Lane change instruction improper if no evidence of unsafety. This new standard was established in 2016, although lane splitting was informally allowed in the years prior to the change. Splitting at 60mph between two lanes going a steady 50mph is far, far safer than splitting at 15mph between one lane going 0mph and one lane going 10mph. Driving a lane splits. In all other states, it is currently illegal. The law defines lane splitting as “driving a motorcycle, that. Lane-sharing. One such study, conducted by the University of California, Berkeley back in 2015, says that lane-splitting is safe when traffic is. Lane splitting refers to when motorcycles ride in the middle lane, between stalled or slow moving traffic. 5. In 2016, the Colorado legislature attempted to pass HB 16-1205, which would have legalized lane splitting in limited situations. Lane-splitting remains illegal in Texas. Missouri. The reason: If you’re driving a motorcycle and lane-splitting, then your motorcycle isn’t occupying a vehicle space on the freeway because you’re driving between lanes or sharing a lane. Proponents of legal lane-splitting also note a study conducted in 2015 by UC Berkeley that found lane-splitting isn. Intentionally blocking or impeding a motorcyclist in a way that could cause harm to the rider is illegal. Doing so may result in a moving violation. In 2021, Montana became the third state in the country to allow a form of lane splitting known as lane filtering. If you have been injured as a result of lane splitting, you may want to consult with a local attorney as soon as possible. The state doesn’t allow lane splitting but you can’t ride on the shoulder of the road when traffic is heavy. Drivers cannot deviate from their lanes until they check to make sure it is safe to do so. THE LEGAL DEFINITION OF LANE SPLITTING. 51. Drivers in the far left lane should move to the left of their lane to give motorcyclists ample room to pass. Motorcyclists may ride the line between the two lanes to get to the front of the line, but the motorcycle rider may travel no faster than. As in most states, lane splitting is illegal. In 2016, the Colorado House Committee shot down. DMV - Transportation Safety Office. The state is committed to reducing the number of motorcycle fatalities on the roads by enforcing laws that are designed for safety. Missouri law on this topic is not explicit. It can be ticketed as a non-criminal traffic citation. Lane splitting refers to driving a motorcycle in two lanes and splitting the original traffic lanes. But regardless of what commuters think about lane-splitting and filtering, it does become legal in certain circumstances this weekend. Both lane splitting and lane filtering are illegal in SC, but lane sharing is permitted. Lane splitting is a practice some bicycle and motorcycle riders engage in. Although it might save time and be convenient, lane splitting is a risky driving behavior, and therefore, illegal in Illinois. The state of North Carolina does not currently have a specific law which bans lane splitting, thought it is always. It mostly happens when traffic stalls or when. Motorcycle enthusiasts have been trying to get lane splitting legalized, at least in certain circumstances, for years. 3. Driving a motorcycle in between cars in a manner consistent with lane splitting or lane filtering is illegal. A few years ago, California passed a law that allows. But not only is lane splitting legal in California, it is illegal for other motor vehicles to intentionally block or impede a motorcyclist in a way that could harm the rider. While some states are considering new legislation, California is one of only three states in the U.