Motorcyclists riding through Fort Collins, Loveland, and the rest of Larimer County have a new legal maneuver available to them, but it’s easy to confuse with something that’s still against the law. Understanding the difference between Lane Filtering and Lane Splitting matters, because one can get you in trouble with the law.
Lane Filtering is Legal in Colorado: A Loveland Traffic Attorney Explains
Since August 7, 2024, Lane Filtering has been legal statewide. Lane Filtering is the act of a rider passing a vehicle in the same lane but only when that vehicle and any traffic in adjacent lanes are at a complete stop. It’s designed for situations like a red light on College Avenue or a backup on I-25, letting a rider move safely toward the front of stopped traffic instead of sitting exposed between two cars.
The law only allows Lane Filtering when five conditions are met: the vehicles a rider wants to pass must be at a complete stop, the lane must be wide enough to fit the vehicle and motorcycle while passing, the motorcycle must go 15 mph or less, the rider must pass safely and control the motorcycle, and the rider must pass on the left and not enter the oncoming traffic lane.
Larimer County Lawyer for Traffic Case: Lane Splitting is Still Illegal
Lane Splitting is a different maneuver entirely, and Colorado law still prohibits it. It is the act of operating a motorcycle between two rows of moving traffic or stopped traffic traveling in the same direction, typically riding down the painted line dividing the lanes. The key issue with lane splitting is that traffic can be moving at the time of the maneuver, that movement is what separates it from filtering and keeps it against the law.
Lane Splitting is treated as a Class A traffic infraction, which can carry a fine and points on a driver’s record.
Charged for Lane Splitting in Fort Collins or Loveland? Call O’Malley Law Office Today!
The line between these two maneuvers can come down to a matter of seconds and mph, whether traffic had truly stopped, how fast the motorcycle was moving, or whether it stayed in its own lane space. In Larimer County, where officers are actively enforcing this relatively new law, the specific facts of a traffic stop can make a real difference in how a citation is handled.
If you’ve been ticketed for Lane Splitting, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007 to schedule a free initial consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
Photo by Brijesh H