Lane filtering introduction stalled in Vic

The official green light for lane filtering by motorcyclists in Victoria, which will bring the state into line with New South Wales and Queensland (and also the ACT, which began a two-year filtering trial in January 2015) "will be introduced later this year", according to VicRoads.

The updated timetable is later than the original September 1 deadline, which was first announced  by Victoria's Roads and Road Safety Minister Luke Donnellan on March 16.

According to James Holgate, Vic Roads' Director, Vehicle and Road Use Policy, an announcement on motorcycle filtering is now intended for late September.

VicRoads recently published 'policy principles' related to the adoption of lane filtering, which are as follows:

1. Currently permitted actions are not made illegal
2. Filtering be permitted only where safe for all road users
3. Motorcyclists filter in a safe manner
4. Filtering rules be clearly defined, easily understood and enforceable

These will form the foundation for the new lane filtering laws, but VicRoads also went one step further by asking for community feedback on the proposed motorcycle lane filtering model, which would permit motorcycle lane filtering:
1. Between lines of traffic in the same direction;
2. Between lines of traffic and parked vehicles;
3. For motorcycle licence holders (not motorcycle learner permit holders);
4. At speeds up to 30km/h;
5. If ‘safe to do so’; and
6. With a penalty for exceeding 30 km/h while filtering.

We'll keep you posted as  a new and definitive timetable for the introduction of filtering comes to light.