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Mark Hinchliffe·
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··8 Comments·2 min read

Consensus coming on road rules?

lane filtering signs consensus duty defend filter tasmania
Here's a sign we'd like to see!

National road rules, including lane filtering, are being discussed now and are likely to be put out for public discussion in July with consensus expected by November.

The disparity of road rules between states is exemplified in the recent introduction of lane filtering.

It is now permitted in Queensland, NSW, Victoria, South Australia and still on trial in the ACT, but expected to be implemented soon.

However, the rules vary slightly from state to state. For example, Queensland is the only state to allow edge filtering and use of bicycle storage boxes.

So which road rules do we want and which ones do we want changed?

Lack of consensus in riding groups

Unfortunately, there doesn’t even seem to be much consensus between rider groups.

For example, some groups in other states would like edge filtering, but there are even riders in Queensland who believe it should be banned.

South Australian group, called Ride to Review (RTR), seems to be the only rider representative group to publish how they would like the lane filtering rules to apply.
Australian Motorcycle Council representative Guy Stanford has been invited by the National Transport Commission to address the Australian Road Rules Maintenance Advisory Group which is attempting to make road rules uniform across all states.

Guy Stanford - Mobile phone while riding - darrk visor helmets filtering laws autonomous consensus
Guy and his V-Strom

So what set of road rules would the AMC like to see?

“The problem is that rider groups with a good relationship with government are often unable to disclose documents or meeting discussions until agreements are reached,” Guy says.

“It can work against riders if the negotiation position is telegraphed in advance.

“Wildcard publication of wants can make things difficult, as that can waste time and distort negotiation.”

See also

Guy says how each state drafts their lane filtering (and other roads rules) can often be more about local politics than achieving for sensible outcomes.

“A wildcard submission in one state can be good or bad, but usually only a problem in their locality with little effect elsewhere,” he says.

“Hubris can be the big hurdle.”

Check out the various lane filtering laws in each state

These are the various State Government web safety pages:

How should particular road rules be standardised in Australia? Tell us which lane filtering laws you like/dislike!

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8 Comments

  2. Not just traffic laws, but also licencing, registration, and non traficc related laws of national significance, such as heath and education, should all be national legislated.
    If that erode the function of state governments, so be it, get rid of them if need be.

  3. Hi there I looked at the NSW rules nothing untoward to find.
    It’s just common sense,keep both eyes and ears open.

    But, one thing that just bugs me is the “heavy penalty” for breaking the rules!!!!
    Why don’t they say give me your bank balance instead.

  5. Over 40 years riding in Vic, NSW and Qld and have safely lane filtered and curb filtered all the time. Never had any concerns with the law or the public. I just do it with common sense and courtesy to other road users. I find Victoria is ahead of the pack with motorcycle common sense laws (eg parking on footpaths permitted)
    Cheers, Ben

  6. Bicycle Storage boxes ? Where in Brisbane Mark is there an example of this ?
    My rides in North Brisbane have none, so Corro Drive, that peak hour carpark, perhaps ?

    I assume at first glance very few, and the words make me think of the steel dog kennels at the railway station that you can store & lock your bicycle in.

    How about a new name ‘ Filtering Holding Zone’ for a starting item for standardization in Road Rules, because using ‘Bicycle’ is not appropriate term any longer.

    So what is stopping more of them being installed when every traffic lighted intersection is re line marked during maintenance, (other than no one in power even being aware of them and their purpose).
    Of course, something new, extra work, means extra costs, and additional re education of car drivers and all other users, including bicyclists, who have to share their safety dog kennel at the lights.
    And not all intersections with a ‘turn left with care’ island can afford to to have the stop line set back to make room for the box.

  7. No mention of Tasmania either (not that there’s a lot of traffic here – yet!) although I believe it is technically illegal based on other overtaking rules?

    I’ve been filtering and edge filtering in the morning jam heading towards the Tasman Bridge for a while now without much issue besides the odd self entitled loon aggressively trying to block my passage. Edge filtering seems much safer (in my opinion) in this instance due to the very wide road shoulder. I see most other bikers choosing this option too. Less chance of somebody purposely merging into you too, although it has happened.

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