Rules changes looming for Qld riders

A number of changes to road rules affecting motorcycle riders in Queensland will commence on February 1. The changes were proposed in the Motorcycle Discussion Paper: Road Rules for Motorcycle Riders, released in 2014, and are related to lane filtering, motorcycle control and motorcycle helmets.

New lane filtering rules
Commencing on February 1, riders with an open licence for riding a motorcycle will be allowed to move between stationary or slow-moving vehicles travelling in the same direction as the rider, provided they are not travelling at more than 30km/h and it is safe to do so.

Learner and provisional riders will not be allowed to lane filter because of their relatively limited on-road driving and riding experience.

Motorcycle riders will be prohibited from lane filtering in school zones during school zone hours.

Riding on road shoulders and the kerbside
From February 1, on major roads such as motorways, freeways and highways where the speed limit is 90km/h or more, a rider who holds an open licence for riding a motorcycle will be allowed to ride past stationary or slow-moving traffic at speeds not greater than 30km/h on the road shoulder (the sealed area of a road to the left or right of an edge line) or in an emergency stopping lane. A motorcycle rider will be required to give way to cyclists or motorcycle riders already on the road shoulder. Riding on a road shoulder will not be allowed on roads with lower speed limits where there may be more pedestrian activity and therefore may pose a road safety risk.

To ensure pedestrian safety, lane filtering will only be allowed between stationary or slow-moving vehicles and not between a vehicle and the kerb.

Motorcycle riders in bicycle storage areas and bicycle lanes
From February 1, motorcycle riders will be allowed to enter bicycle storage areas (the areas of road close to an intersection with traffic lights that allows cyclists to wait in front of vehicles stopped at the intersection, and usually painted green with white bicycle symbols). This will allow them to move quickly and safely away from traffic.

Motorcycle riders are not allowed to ride in bicycle lanes in normal circumstances and this will not change. However, all vehicles, including motorcycles, can travel for up to 50m in a bicycle lane in various special circumstances, such as to stop or park in the lane, to enter or leave a road, or to avoid an obstruction.

Lane splitting
Lane splitting is a term sometimes used for riding a motorcycle at speed through moving traffic. The higher speed increases the unpredictability of motorcycle movements and so would increase the crash risk for the rider and other road users, including pedestrians and cyclists. In Queensland lane filtering at over 30km/h will be prohibited and penalties will apply.

Penalties for breaking lane filtering rules
From February 1, an offence for breaking lane filtering rules (such as lane filtering at over 30km/h or in a school zone during school zone hours) will be introduced, with an on-the-spot fine of $341 and three demerit points. There will be a maximum penalty of $2277 if the matter goes before a court.

Lane filtering elsewhere in Australia
New South Wales has already introduced lane filtering following a trial conducted in Sydney in 2013, and the Australian Capital Territory has announced a two-year trial of lane filtering commencing in February 2015. Motorcycle riders should note that the rules in these and other jurisdictions differ from the Queensland rules.

New rules for controlling a motorcycle
Currently, the rider of a motorcycle that is moving or stationary but not parked must sit astride their seat facing forwards and ride with at least one hand on the handlebars. When the motorcycle is moving they must keep both feet on the footrests. Authorities have now acknowledged that these rules can cause practical difficulties for motorcycle riders.

From February 1, these strict rules about how a motorcycle rider must sit and where they have their hands and feet will be removed, allowing motorcycle riders to, for example, remove a foot from the footrests to stretch a leg or raise themselves from the seat when riding on uneven road surfaces.

Motorcycle riders will still be required to be astride their seat, meaning that they must have one leg on either side of the seat when riding.

Some of the changes will also apply to pillion passengers. They will still be required to be astride the seat and face forwards but will be able to raise themselves from the seat or stretch a leg without breaking the rules.

New rules for motorcycle helmets
Currently, motorcycle riders on Queensland roads are required to wear a helmet that complies with Australian standard AS1698 or AS/NZS1698. From February 1, the range of motorcycle helmets approved for use in Queensland will be expanded to include those complying with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) 22.05 standard.

It has been determined that helmets meeting ECE standards have a similar safety record to those meeting Australian standards, so the range of helmets approved for use in Queensland will be expanded to include those that meet the ECE 22.05 standard.

Pillion and sidecar passengers will also be able to wear helmets complying with the ECE 22.05 standard, in addition to helmets complying with Australian standards.

Australian consumer law currently restricts the sale of helmets in Australia to those that comply with Australian standards so it would be an offence for a retailer to sell other helmets. However, Queenslanders will, from February 1, be able to legally buy helmets meeting the ECE 22.05 standard through international online retailers or when travelling overseas.

Helmet labels and stickers
To ensure the helmets meet the ECE 22.05 standard and to support enforcement activities, helmets approved under the standard will be required to display a label certifying compliance with the standard.