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If you ride a motorcycle in New York, you have probably found yourself caught in traffic on numerous occasions. When you’re stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic, the lane line can look tempting. No cars are on this line, and your bike could easily fit between them. You may have even seen other bike or motorcycle riders do this. 

But is this practice legal or safe? In New York, the answer to both of these questions is “no.” The act of lane splitting or lane filtering is illegal in the Empire State and can also be dangerous. 

What Is Lane Splitting? 

When a motorcycle rides along the lane line between two lanes of vehicles traveling in the same direction, that is called lane splitting. This act is only legal in the state of California, though it is being considered by legislatures in other states. New York is not currently one of those states. 

What makes lane splitting unusual is that it allows a motorcyclist to drive beside other vehicles that are traveling at highway speeds. This means that it can result in a motorcycle accident if other drivers aren’t aware that motorcycles might be on the lane line between them and another vehicle. 

Even where lane splitting is legal, it can never be done on a middle line between two lanes of traffic traveling in opposite directions. This means that lane splitting is only potentially legal — and safe — when a road has at least two lanes traveling in a single direction. 

Lane Filtering 

Lane splitting can easily be confused with lane filtering. While the latter is similar, it generally only occurs when traffic is stopped or moving at very slow speeds. In states where lane filtering is legal, a motorcycle rider can pass slowed or stopped vehicles by traveling along the middle lane between two lanes moving in the same direction. 

New York Motorcycle Laws 

Under New York motorcycle laws, motorcycles are mostly treated like cars. One of the few exceptions to this is that two motorcycles may travel side-by-side in the same lane. However, this is not lane splitting, which is illegal in the state.  

Just as a car isn’t allowed to drive on the middle line or edge of the road to pass other vehicles, neither is a motorcycle. 

Why Is Lane Splitting Illegal? 

Lane splitting is illegal in the state because the safety benefits of this maneuver have not been proven definitively enough for New York legislators. At least one study by the University of California in Berkeley suggests that it is a safe practice. However, any changes in legislation will probably require additional studies before they are passed. 

There can also be meaningful dangers to lane splitting when other drivers are unfamiliar with the practice. While drivers are supposed to look for hazards when switching lanes, they may not know to look for a motorcycle on a lane line or may not notice it due to the smaller size of the vehicle. 

There is also an inherent danger of too many vehicles sharing a space. While motorcycles have relatively little width, they do still fill a few feet of space that becomes unavailable to the drivers in the lanes. This can be a problem when a motorcyclist is passing larger vehicles like trucks, SUVs, or some sports cars. 

What Will Happen if You Lane Split or Lane Filter? 

What happens if you lane split or lane filter in New York depends on the situation. If a traffic officer witnesses your lane splitting or filtering, you will likely receive a ticket. Under certain circumstances, you may even get a ticket for reckless driving. 

Furthermore, since lane splitting is illegal, if you are involved in an accident while practicing the maneuver, you may be found at fault for the accident. This is particularly important because New York does not include motorcycles in the no-fault insurance system.  

Thus, if you are at fault for an accident as a motorcyclist, you might be incapable of getting compensation, depending on your insurance policy. You could also potentially face criminal charges for lane splitting if it results in an accident that hurts or kills someone.  

Contact a New York Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today 

If you experience a motorcycle accident in New York that involves lane splitting, it’s essential to consult a lawyer as soon as possible. The seasoned motorcycle accident attorneys at Silberstein and Miklos can fight to protect your rights and navigate the complexities that often come with these accidents. Contact us online or call 1-877-ASK4SAM to schedule a consultation today.