Released 09/10/2018
Canberrans are urged to “look twice and save a life” during Motorcycle Awareness Week, and beyond, as motorcycle lane filtering is now in place permanently throughout the ACT.
Under lane filtering laws, motorcyclists are allowed to travel between stationary or slow moving vehicles, to reach the front of the traffic queue. This allows motorcyclists to move quickly and safely away from congested areas of traffic.
A trial of motorcycle lane filtering began in the ACT on 1 February 2015. The trial included a number of conditions on when a motorcycle rider could lane filter. For example, it is a condition that motorcyclists not filter at a speed greater than 30km/h, or in school zones, kerbside or in a bicycle lane, and only if it is safe to do so.
Earlier this year, an independent evaluation of the trial conditions commissioned by the ACT Government found that a majority of Canberra drivers (69% of respondents) support motorcycle lane filtering as a road safety measure.
Following the evaluation, the ACT Government decided to allow lane filtering long-term in the Territory. The original conditions still apply, as does an additional condition that lane filtering is not permitted in any 40km/h zone. This includes road works, school zones and city centres. Learner and provisional riders are not permitted to lane filter.
Despite a greater awareness of the need to protect vulnerable road users, in 2016 there were three motorcyclists killed on our roads, and 33 admitted to hospital, representing around one third of the overall road toll for the ACT.
The Government is committed to improving safety for the Territory's growing number of motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users, in line with our Vision Zero road safety philosophy —where no loss of life on our roads is acceptable. One of the benefits of lane filtering is that it allows motorcyclists to more quickly and safely away from congested areas of traffic.
Comments attributable to Minister for Road Safety Shane Rattenbury:
“All road users need to be aware that motorcycle riders are allowed to lane filter. Drivers should always be aware and cautious of motorcyclists, whether they are lane filtering or otherwise. Expect them to be on the roads, and be aware that they are smaller and sometimes move differently than other motor vehicles.”
Media: motorcycle dashcam footage of lane filtering, audio and photos are available on request.
- Statement ends -
Shane Rattenbury, MLA | Media Releases
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