{"id":5322,"date":"2023-12-13T13:26:57","date_gmt":"2023-12-13T20:26:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/manninglaw.us\/?p=5322"},"modified":"2023-12-28T13:40:52","modified_gmt":"2023-12-28T20:40:52","slug":"is-lane-splitting-legal-in-colorado","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/manninglaw.us\/is-lane-splitting-legal-in-colorado\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Lane Splitting Legal in Colorado?"},"content":{"rendered":"
Lane splitting is currently illegal in Colorado. State lawmakers rejected bills submitted in the past that sought the legalization of lane splitting. These lawmakers question the safety of lane splitting, while supporters of this practice argue that it is safer for motorcyclists. If a <\/span>motorcycle accident<\/span> takes place while a motorcyclist is unlawfully lane splitting, he or she could be found responsible for the crash under Colorado law.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cLane splitting\u201d refers to the practice of a motorcyclist riding on the line between two lanes of slower-moving or stopped traffic. It is sometimes referred to as white lining. Rather than remaining within a single lane, a motorcyclist who lane splits rides on the line between two lanes of same-direction traffic. This is typically done to save time in congested traffic.<\/span><\/p>\n There is much debate regarding the safety of lane splitting. Those who argue against lane splitting say that it brings motorcyclists in closer proximity to motor vehicles, putting them at risk of sideswipe accidents. A lane-splitting motorcycle may also be at risk of hovering in a motor vehicle driver’s blind spot. In addition, drivers may get startled by an unexpected motorcycle in between two lanes, increasing the risk of accidents.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n By contrast, supporters often cite the <\/span>University of California Berkeley analysis<\/span><\/a> conducted in 2015 \u2013 the study that ultimately led to the legalization of lane splitting for the first time in California \u2013 which concluded that lane splitting is relatively safe in traffic moving at 50 mph or less as long as motorcyclists do not exceed the speed of surrounding vehicles by more than 15 mph. Advocates for lane splitting say that it enhances the safety of motorcyclists by enabling them to prevent rear-end collisions and exit highways faster.<\/span><\/p>\n As of 2024, lane splitting is illegal in the State of Colorado. The most recent lane-splitting bill to be rejected was <\/span>House Bill 16-1205<\/span><\/a> in 2016. This bill requested an exception to the existing prohibitions against lane splitting that would have allowed motorcyclists to ride between rows of motor vehicles when traffic was moving at less than 5 mph, within certain parameters.<\/span><\/p>\n Under the current law, if a motorcycle rider is caught lane splitting by a law enforcement officer, he or she could face a citation and fine. Points may be added to the operator\u2019s driving record. Accumulating 12 or more points within a 12-month period can lead to the suspension of the motorcyclist\u2019s driver’s license.<\/span><\/p>\nWhat Is Lane Splitting?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Is Lane Splitting Safe?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
What Is the Law on Lane Splitting in Colorado?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n