Lane splitting and filtering continue to top the headlines across the motorcycle industry, and are front and center in legislative discussions across the U.S. 

With Colorado legalizing lane filtering in August 2024 and Minnesota following with a law that went into effect in July 2025, momentum is clearly building.

These states now join California, Utah, Arizona, and Montana, each of which has already embraced some form of legal lane filtering or splitting. 

This surge in lane-splitting legislation isn’t random—it’s grounded in data. Studies have shown that lane filtering can reduce rear-end collisions and improve traffic flow, especially in congested areas. That’s good news for everyday riders, and even better news for those renting motorcycles while traveling. 

If you're planning to rent a motorcycle or ride in a new state, knowing the local laws (like the motorcycle helmet laws) isn’t just smart, it’s essential. 

In this updated guide, we break down where you can legally split or filter, what the rules are, and what changes are coming. 

(courtesy womanrider.com)

What is lane splitting, and where is it legal?

Lane splitting is when a motorcyclist rides between two cars heading in the same direction. It allows riders to ride on the white dashed line between lanes, and this practice is also called “white-lining.”

Where is lane splitting legal in the USA?

California is the only state that legally allows lane splitting. This means that a motorcyclist can ride between two lanes of traffic moving in the same direction at high speeds or at low speeds. There are no additional regulations around lane splitting in California, but the DMV provides three guidelines for riders:

1. Travel at a speed that is no more than 10 MPH faster than other traffic
2. It is not advisable to lane split when traffic flow is at 30 mph or faster
3. Avoid splitting in lanes near freeway on-ramps and exits.

In addition to this, it is illegal for any other vehicle to try to block or impede riders from lane splitting, either by blocking the lane with the car or door. Lane splitting in California is refreshing, and cars part for you quickly.

What is lane filtering, and where is it legal? 

Lane filtering is when a motorcyclist rides between two stopped or slow-moving cars, whereas lane splitting is when a motorcyclist rides between two lanes of moving traffic heading in the same direction.

Where is lane filtering legal in the USA?

There are four states that currently allow lane filtering, and one that will begin July 1, 2025: 

• Arizona: Legal since 2022. Allowed when traffic is stopped on roads with speed limits of 45 mph or less, and the motorcyclist does not exceed 15 mph.
• Colorado: Legal as of August 7, 2024. Allowed when traffic is completely stopped, the motorcyclist travels at 15 mph or less, and passes between vehicles in the same direction without using the shoulder or oncoming lanes. Violations may result in a $100 fine.
• Montana: Legal since 2021. Permitted when traffic is stopped or moving at 10 mph or less, and the motorcyclist does not exceed 20 mph.
• Utah: Legal since 2019. Permitted when traffic is stopped, on roads with speed limits of 45 mph or less, and the motorcyclist is traveling at 15 mph or less.
• Minnesota: Legal as of July 1, 2025. Permitted when traffic is moving at 10 mph or less, and the motorcyclist does not exceed 25 mph. Other vehicles are prohibited from intentionally blocking motorcyclists from filtering.

Hawaii once allowed "lane surfing, which allowed motorcyclists to pass stopped cars by riding on the curb, but that ended in 2019. 

What are the benefits of lane splitting?

There are three benefits to lane splitting:

1. It’s safer. It’s been proven that lane-splitting motorcyclists were injured much less frequently than non-lane-splitting riders, and are rear-ended less often.
2. It reduces traffic. Motorcycle riders who don’t lane split take up the same amount of space on the road as a car. By having motorcyclists lane split, they are reducing traffic.
3. It reduces motorcycles from overheating. Motorcycles with air-cooled engines rely on fuel, oil, and airflow to cool the engine, so idling in traffic could cause overheating

(Courtesy San Francisco Examiner)

What states are considering lane splitting and lane filtering?

There are eight states currently considering lane splitting and lane filtering laws: Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.

Is lane splitting safe?

Yes. In fact, lane splitting is safer than not lane splitting. In May of 2015, the University of California, Berkeley’s Safe Transportation Research & Education Center released its findings in a report titled Motorcycle Lane-splitting and Safety in California. It was found that lane-splitting motorcyclists were injured much less frequently during their collisions.

Lane splitting riders were less likely to suffer head injury (9% vs 17%), torso injury (19% vs 29%), extremity injury (60% vs 66%), and fatal injury (1.2% vs 3.0%). Finally,  lane splitting riders were significantly less likely to be rear-ended than other non lane splitting riders (2.6% vs 4.6%)

In summary, lane splitting is safe, it reduces traffic, it keeps your motorcycle from overheating, and it's legal in California. Lane filtering is available in Arizona, Hawaii, Montana, Utah, and Colorado.