CSP reiterates lane filtering laws after continued questions, complaints

DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado State Patrol is reminding drivers of the rules of lane filtering after a month of questions, concerns and complaints since a law allowing motorcyclists to move through stopped traffic went into effect .

“Your Colorado State troopers want to take a few minutes to review the rules of filtering.
Riding recklessly, weaving in and out of traffic, passing on the shoulder, and driving
down the lane line while vehicles are still moving is NOT legal now and has never been
legal in Colorado,” CSP said in a press release.

The law, SB24-079 , was approved by Gov. Jared Polis on Apr. 4 and went into effect on Aug. 7.

CSP said in the press release that the purpose of the law is to “protect riders from rear-end collisions in stopped traffic.”

According to the new lane filtering law, motorcyclists may now “overtake or pass another motor vehicle in the same lane” under certain conditions, including:

• Traffic is stopped
• Lanes of the road are wide enough for the motorcyclist to pass safely
• The motorcyclists must move at 15 mph or less
• The motorcyclist must pass safely and control the motorcycle
• The motorcyclist must pass on the left and not enter the oncoming traffic lane

Motorcyclists cannot pass or overtake on the right shoulder, to the right of a vehicle in the right lane if the highway is not limited access, or in a lane of oncoming traffic, the law states.

Colorado State Patrol urges drivers to watch side view mirrors and allow motorcycles to filter back into the lane when traffic gets moving again.

Passing vehicles that are moving, otherwise known as lane splitting, is not legal in Colorado.

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