Phoenix, AZ — An unexpected encounter with a motorcycle whizzing between cars at a Phoenix intersection has sparked a broader conversation about Arizona’s motorcycle lane filtering law. On a cool morning on Shea Boulevard, the sudden appearance and roaring sound of a Harley chopper slicing through stagnant traffic caught many drivers off guard, including one who vowed to delve deeper into what some call “the dumbest law” in the state.
In 2021, Arizona legislated that motorcyclists could perform lane filtering under specific circumstances: on streets with a speed limit of 45 mph or less, with at least two lanes heading in the same direction, and only when other vehicles are fully stopped. The law stipulates that motorcyclists cannot exceed a speed of 15 mph while performing this maneuver.
Despite the conditions set to ensure safety, the practice bewilders many drivers, leaving them startled as motorcycles navigate tightly between cars. While known officially as lane filtering, some residents and drivers refer whimsically to it as ‘legal line cutting,’ with no illusions about the adrenaline and anxiety it can induce for unsuspecting car drivers.
The modification to the road rules came after robust debates and was signed into law with significant bipartisan support, despite objections from multiple civic organizations. These bodies raised concerns about potential hazards and the mixed signal it sends in road-sharing protocols. Interestingly, this legislation gained approval despite only 32 official endorsements compared to 359 opponents.
Research on lane filtering presents conflicting findings. Pioneering studies, such as those from the University of California, Berkeley, and the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, suggest that lane filtering might reduce the risk of traffic collisions and ease congestion. However, another study in the International Journal of Motorcycle Studies warned of increased accident risks if motorcyclists and car drivers are not sufficiently alert or aware of each other.
From an everyday perspective, while lane filtering supposedly benefits motorcyclists by allowing them to navigate through traffic faster, it poses a question of road equity and safety. With motorcycles making up only about 4% of the total vehicle registrations in Arizona, it’s worth considering whether the advantages for this minority justify the startled reactions and potential risk to the vast majority.
This legislation also aligns with a troubling statistic – the surge in motorcycle fatalities from 167 in 2021 to 258 in the following year, even as the number of motorcycles registered remained steady. It raises critical questions about the real-world implications of such laws amid increasing distractions on the road and the inherent risks of motorcycling.
Despite the legality and supposed benefits of lane filtering, many Arizona drivers view the practice with trepidation. One former motorcycle owner shared his personal conflict, noting that while motorcycling itself is inherently risky, allowing such maneuvers in busy traffic could increase dangers, a sentiment echoed by many who find the practice alarming.
As traffic resumed that day on Shea Boulevard, the individual on the Harley moved swiftly past the gridlocked cars, disappearing into the flow ahead. Observers might argue whether the law truly serves the greater good or merely adds to the suite of dangers on Arizona’s roads. Others might simply hope for more comprehensive safety measures, hinting at debates that might extend to helmet laws or other protective regulations in future legislative sessions.