OFF THE WIRE
NSW motorcyclists will be the first in the country to be able
to ride between cars as part of new measures to improve road safety.
The state government held a successful trial in Sydney’s CBD last
year allowing motorcyclists to be exempt from existing lane filtering
laws in an attempt to ease road congestion and measure potential safety
issues for other road users. The new law, effective from July 1, will
permit fully licensed motorcyclists to filter past stationary vehicles
at intersections when it is safe to do so — but not in school zones
during hours of operation and only when ridding slower than 30km/h.
Hornsby MP Matt Kean said the decision solved key issues for
motorcyclists while maintaining road safety for other road users.‘‘The
new rule changes will give us the opportunity to communicate with riders
so they better understand the risks involved with lane filtering and
educate them on safe filtering practice,’’ he said. ‘‘Motorists
attempting to ‘lane filter’ at speeds over 30km/h will be committing an
offence and will be fined for dangerous driving.’’