Colorado riders rejoice! A new law signed this week allows motorcycles to weave between lanes of stopped cars in traffic jams. But before you fire up your engine and celebrate, let’s pump the brakes for a second.
Safety Concerns Take Center Stage
Proponents of the law cite studies showing lane filtering can be safer for motorcyclists. Opponents, however, worry about the potential for increased accidents as motorcycles dart between stopped cars.
Surprise Factor: Drivers might not expect a motorcycle zooming through traffic, leading to dangerous situations and potential crashes.
Blind Spots: Motorcycles are smaller and easier to miss, especially in blind spots. Lane filtering could put both riders and drivers at risk.
The law also restricts filtering to just 15 mph, which some argue isn’t slow enough to guarantee safety, especially with impatient riders or sudden car movements.
Trial Period Raises Questions
The three-year trial period adds another layer of concern. While it allows for data collection, it also creates a period of uncertainty for both riders and drivers who have to navigate these new shared lanes.
A Patchwork of Laws
Colorado adding lane filtering creates a confusing patchwork of laws across the country. This could be frustrating for both riders traveling across state lines and drivers encountering motorcyclists filtering for the first time.
The Bottom Line:
While some Colorado motorcyclists might cheer this new law, it’s important to acknowledge the safety risks and potential downsides. Only time and data will tell if lane filtering truly makes roads safer for everyone.
