Allows lane filtering, the act of passing stopped or slow-moving vehicles proceeding in the same direction, for motorcycles at low speeds.

Rhode Island Motorcycle Lane Filtering Bill

This bill would allow motorcycle riders in Rhode Island to practice "lane filtering," which means slowly riding between lanes of stopped or slow-moving traffic going in the same direction. Under current rules, motorcyclists must wait in line with other vehicles. If this bill passes, riders would be permitted to move through congested traffic at low speeds, similar to laws already in place in states like Utah, Montana, and Arizona.

The bill primarily affects motorcycle riders and, to a lesser extent, drivers of cars, trucks, and other vehicles who share the road with them. Motorcyclists would gain the legal ability to navigate through traffic jams rather than sitting stationary between other vehicles. Other drivers would need to be aware that motorcycles may move between lanes during slow or stopped traffic conditions.

Supporters of lane filtering laws often point to potential safety benefits — motorcycles sitting still in traffic can be at risk of rear-end collisions, and filtering may reduce that risk. It can also reduce overall traffic congestion. However, the bill is still in its early stages, having just been introduced and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, where lawmakers will review and discuss it before deciding whether to move it forward. No final vote has been taken yet.