What to know about Colorado's new law allowing motorcyclists to pass cars between lanes

A new Colorado law that allows motorcyclists to pass cars between lanes under certain conditions will go into effect on a three-year trial basis starting Aug. 7.

The law, SB24-079 , allows motorcyclists to overtake or pass another motor vehicle between two lanes of vehicles under the following conditions:

• The other motor vehicle is stopped
• The road has lanes wide enough to pass safely
• The motorcycle is going 15 mph or less
• Conditions permit prudent operation of the motorcycle while overtaking or passing

A motorcycle driver overtaking or passing must not overtake or pass:

• On the right shoulder
• To the right of a vehicle in the farthest right-hand lane if the highway is not limited access
• In a lane of traffic moving in the opposite direction

New law is on trial period

According to the legislation, the law will be repealed on Sept. 1, 2027. Before the repeal, the Colorado Department of Transportation will analyze safety data on the act and issue a report to the state general assembly.

Why the Colorado State Patrol says the new law encourages public safety

Capt. Michael Tafoya, commander of the Colorado State Patrol's Troop 2D, which covers Pueblo, Huerfano, and Los Animas counties, told the Chieftain he believes the new legislation is a "move in the right direction," although he noted that it will take time for motorists to get used to the new rules.

"A lot of those who drive passenger vehicles and those other than motorcycles may not see it as appropriate, they may think motorcycles should have to obey the same laws they should, so it may take time for people to get accustomed to this occurring," he said.

However, the new law will promote safety for motorcyclists, he said.

"When you've got a line of cars and are stopped at a traffic light or whatever it may be, and you've got a motorcycle at the back of those cars, if a motorcycle gets rear-ended, the likelihood of severe or fatal injuries is much greater than if they were in the passenger vehicle. Allowing them to filter through stopped traffic ultimately places them in a much better and more secure position."

"Driving at low rates of speed, such as 15 miles per hour or less on a motorcycle, is more challenging and requires a higher level of skill," CSP Chief Col. Matthew C. Packard stated in a news release. "Newer riders or folks that could brush up on this skill should seek hands-on training before implementing this new practice in real traffic situations."

Are lane filtering and lane splitting safe?

According to the Coloradoan, no significant study has been completed on lane filtering, but due to restrictions on the speed of vehicles, it would be reasonable to expect filtering is safer than splitting, which is when a motorcycle drives between moving vehicles in a lane. Lane splitting is not permitted under the new law.

The most notable research on lane splitting was conducted at UC Berkeley’s Safe Transportation Research and Education Center , the Coloradoan reported. The study looked at lane splitting in California in 2012-13 and the results were released in 2015.

Some of the highlights of the study include:

• Lane splitting is relatively safe if done in traffic moving at 50 mph or less, and if motorcyclists do not exceed the speed of other vehicles by more than 15 mph.
• Motorcyclists going more than 15 mph faster than other vehicles significantly increased the risk of injury.
• About 17% of motorcycle crashes involved lane splitting.
• Lane splitting reduces rear-end collisions.

Colorado in the '100 most deadly days of summer' for motorcyclists

There have been three fatal motorcycle crashes this year in Pueblo County. Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter told the Chieftain two such crashes were recorded prior to July 24, and a third person was killed July 25 , according to Pueblo police.

CSP Troop 2D has recorded six fatal crashes this year, one of which was a motorcycle crash. That figure is a reduction from this point last year, Tafoya said, which he credited to proactive enforcement and greater visibility.

However, CSP warns drivers, particularly motorcycle riders, to be extra cautious, as the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is known as the "100 deadliest days of summer," according to CSP, with July being especially dangerous.

"This year is no exception," CSP officials said in a July 18 news release. "So far, in 2024, troopers have investigated 135 fatal crashes from January 1 through July 16, and 15.5% (21) of those involved a motorcycle. But when the Patrol isolated just the first two weeks of July, the percentages more than doubled, with 16 fatal crashes and 37.5% (6) of those involving a motorcycle."

“Riding a motorcycle comes with greater risk than driving a car or truck due to the lack of safety features, including airbags and seatbelts. Riders are simply more vulnerable,” Packard stated in the news release. “This underscores the responsibility that every rider must assume for their own safety. Receiving ongoing training, wearing protective gear, and adhering to the rules of the road — these are the necessary steps for every rider.”

Packard encouraged motorcycle owners to spend time and take training to master riding a motorcycle whenever possible.

“It's not the number of years you’ve owned a motorcycle that builds mastery; it’s the actual time spent learning how to control, corner, emergency brake, and practice evasive maneuvers,” he said. “Advanced motorcycle courses are a fantastic way to learn the best techniques without building bad habits while increasing skills to help you enjoy the ride.”

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This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: What to know about Colorado's new law allowing motorcyclists to pass cars between lanes