Lane filtering is something that is often discussed in this country, but seldom goes beyond conversation. Defining exactly what we mean and what we want to see in relation to lane filtering is the first issue to be confronted. So what is lane filtering?
Web Bike World, January 21st, 2021, states, “Filtering, otherwise known as lane splitting, is a practice that’s widely accepted in many countries around the globe but has never gained much traction in North America. Over the last few years, interest in changing filtering laws has grown but as that interest has grown, so has its opposition.”
Lane filtering, according to Wikipedia, “Lane splitting is riding a motorcycle between lanes or rows of slow moving or stopped traffic moving in the same direction.[1][2] It is sometimes called whitelining, or stripe-riding.[3][4] This allows riders to save time, bypassing traffic congestion, and may also be safer than stopping behind stationary vehicles.[2][3][5][6]” Wikipedia
And, so far in Canada, it’s illegal. The reasons that jurisdictions give for not allowing lane splitting or lane filtering vary, but most decided that the risks to motorcyclists outweigh the benefits. In my personal experience, as a former Director of Emergency Services for a county in Western Canada that serviced the busiest highways in three provinces, I’m not convinced that lane filtering would be a terrible idea.
In several rear-end accidents, although I can’t remember the exact number out of the 83 motorcycle fatalities that I responded to in these jurisdictions, probably between 4% and 7% of those fatalities were caused by rear end impacts to a motorcycle where the motorcycle was stationary in traffic.
If motorcyclists were simply allowed to stop between two lanes of stopped traffic, it would have saved lives in those specific cases. I clearly understand and appreciate that the learning curve for both motorcyclists and the driving public would be tested based on the way that many drive in any event, but I believe the issues could certainly be overcome by driver education, and an intensive media campaign prior to each riding season in the media, both print and television.
The biggest risk I can envision is the ignorance of drivers of other motor vehicles. I have often seen drivers deliberately pull their car or truck over in the curb lane in order to block another vehicle from driving down the lane. If that attitude prevailed while driving between vehicles with a motorcycle, the results could well be fatal.
Drivers are so impatient, that they often change lanes with no notice. They don’t employ their turn signals and erratically change lanes in order to take advantage of an opening in another lane. For motorcyclists, this poses real danger. Education will help, but getting drivers to look, then signal, then switch lanes, seems to be problematic even now.
People are often immune to the sounds around them or preoccupied, and to this day, often on their phones, even though illegal and with substantive fines if caught. As a former Fire Chief, I purchased fire apparatus that had what the manufacturer called a ‘Mars light’ mounted on the top of the apparatus. It employed a gimbal and brilliant white laser-like beam that would bounce the light over the interior of vehicles that were well ahead of the responding apparatus. It was so intense it immediately drew drivers eyes to their rearview mirrors, grabbing their attention and awareness.
However, the greatest risk to drivers occurs at or in intersections. According to Forbes, 35% of accidents occur at intersections. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/legal/motorcycle-accident-statistics/, so to draw a driver who is intent on turning to the fact that you are there, I have resorted to weaving my bike, a couple of hundred yards before the intersection and flicking my headlight to bright. Often, it is only then that the driver who is planning to turn becomes aware that there is a motorcycle in his field of vision.
As motorcyclists, we need to do all we can to raise the awareness of other drivers to our presence. However, sound studies have been conducted by the Federation of Motorcyclists Association in Europe and categorically has proven that sounds from a motorcycle cannot be heard by the occupant of a car travelling ahead of the motorcycle until that motorcycle is within ten meters, a point at which “that distance, however, no driver`s maneuver that would endanger the motorcyclist could be prevented.” https://www.femamotorcycling.eu/the-sound-of-your-motorcycle/
For lane filtering to be successful it will require the public to clearly understand the rationale for its use. Otherwise, those who are irritated or subject to road rage may take part in an action that endangers the lives of motorcyclists even further.
https://youtu.be/ZltpNc86jWE?si=p-8NACsy4Vu-FPRG
So, here is a reprise of the topic from the perspective of an instructor.
Do you think this is an issue worth pursuing in Canada, or do you think it either too contenscious or problematic to pursue?
Let me know what you think.
Ciao.
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