Queensland introduces lane filtering laws

[Old Steve]

Queensland Govt has announced it's introducing lane filtering laws which seem identical to those recently introduced in NSW - max speed 30 km/hr, no school zone filtering, etc.

They have also announced that helmets used in Queensland can be approved under any of the Aust/NZ, European, Japanese or USA standards.  So, how does a Queensland rider get on when they travel south if their helmet doesn't have the Aust/NZ standard sticker on it but is approved under one of the overseas standards?

[tj189]

Where did you find the announcement? Been waiting for something to come out ever since it was rsised earlier this year

[tj189]

Found it
Qld tpt web page under road rules, upcoming changes to road tules for motorcycle riders

Early 2015 

[nate]

heres the link to save you looking it up:

http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/About-us/Motorcycle-road-rules.aspx

[Lionel]

I thought about lane filtering on Pennant Hills road between the M2 and the Newcastle Expressway start near Pearces' Corner.
No way. With all the trucks, buses, etc there was no room for a large bike with panniers.
I believe Sydney lanes to be generally narrower than most places. For example, it's no easy task towing a large van from Pearces' corner along the Pacific Highway to North Sydney.
In any case, I don't have a problem on a motorbike negotiating my way through Sydney traffic using "conventional" methods.
I can see it would be very useful on the motorway between Boondall and the bridges when that stretch of road turns into the morning and evening car park.
 

[Shaun]

I thought about lane filtering on Pennant Hills road between the M2 and the Newcastle Expressway start near Pearces' Corner.
No way. With all the trucks, buses, etc there was no room for a large bike with panniers.
I believe Sydney lanes to be generally narrower than most places. For example, it's no easy task towing a large van from Pearces' corner along the Pacific Highway to North Sydney.
In any case, I don't have a problem on a motorbike negotiating my way through Sydney traffic using "conventional" methods.
I can see it would be very useful on the motorway between Boondall and the bridges when that stretch of road turns into the morning and evening car park.

Noone's saying you HAVE to lane filter. You just can if the circumstances and your abilities coincide.

I can and choose not to quite a lot. Depends on the mood of the traffic (traffic is like a sleepy angry animal sometimes!), the lane size, the type of road, the nature of the intersection, and my own mood.

It's nice to know I am allowed to if I can. I mean, it never really stopped me before, but still... :)

[Bikebear]

Only changes to helmet compliance is to allow compliance with the the European standard ECE 22.05 according to the TMR website. From all I have read this standard is very close to theAS/NZS Standard.

[HunterTodd]

I am with Lionel, It would be a rare  that I would do it on the ST. I have noticed a couple things that  disturbed me about it.

I happened to be stuck in Sydney  slow moving traffic on Pennant Hills road towing a large horse float.  The lanes are barely wide enough for the float and I had a couple of clowns on sports bikes filter past me at speed. It may well have been within the law but it was too fast for the situation.

It is nerve wracking enough trying to keep a gap in front of you so can give the horses a smooth ride without an  idiot diving in front of you and to have to worry about some guy popping up beside you as you negotiate the lane makes it really difficult. You need eyes in the back of your head.

I'll bet truck drivers on narrow roads hate it.

On the other perspective I watched a dick move across close to the lane maker so he could hold up a bike that was filtering on the Sydney Newcastle freeway which was blocked with a crash.. It looked like he might have been in cahouts with the guy  in the lane next to him because he was on the edge of his lane too and there appeared to be a dialog happening between them.  The guy on the bike was pissed and there was fist waving and general agro all round.

Most of the guys I ride with have seen similar incidents so it is not uncommon. Maybe these incidents will reduce over time as drivers get used to and accept filtering but for now I don't want to be the trail blazer.

[tj189]

I thought about lane filtering on Pennant Hills road between the M2 and the Newcastle Expressway start near Pearces' Corner.
No way. With all the trucks, buses, etc there was no room for a large bike with panniers.
I believe Sydney lanes to be generally narrower than most places. For example, it's no easy task towing a large van from Pearces' corner along the Pacific Highway to North Sydney.
In any case, I don't have a problem on a motorbike negotiating my way through Sydney traffic using "conventional" methods.
I can see it would be very useful on the motorway between Boondall and the bridges when that stretch of road turns into the morning and evening car park.

yep, from what others said about the way you handled the traffic in Sydney the other weekend I dont think you need to bother with lane splitting

[Gadget]

On the SS1600k through Sydney on pennant Hills Road there were several really good opportunities for myself and a Harley rider to filter. 

It was early morning Saturday traffic, so it was reasonably light.


I'm a fan of filtering despite the attentions of the ($91 no points less than 3km from home after the SS1600k)

Anyway as the website says it will be up to the rider to assess whether it is safe to filter or not.

My big plus out of this are the other concessions about foot pegs, not having to always remain seated facing forwards only (a shoulder check technically breaks the law) .

EU approved helmets are also a great move.

So now the countdown begins.   

[Totgas]

Finally we can ride down the breakdown lane legally.     

[JuST Peter]

Finally we can ride down the breakdown lane legally.     

I read through the proposed law changes and can't see where it says you can legally ride down the breakdown lane.
Got a link?

[Biggles]

I rode down to Sydney yesterday and demonstrated to the NSW Constabulary that it's not illegal to overtake using a turning lane.     

There's a story there...

[Gadget]

JuST Peter,


Here is where it says it but not in those exact words.  The sealed Road Shoulder is the Breakdown or Safety Lane,

Riding on road shoulders and kerbside

On major roads, such as motorways and freeways where the speed limit is 90km/hr or more, a motorcycle rider who holds an open licence will be allowed to ride through stationary or slow moving traffic at speeds not greater than 30km/hr on the road shoulder (the sealed area on the edge of a road). A motorcycle rider will be required to give way to a cyclist already on the road shoulder. Riding on a road shoulder will not be allowed on roads with lower speed limits where it may pose a greater road safety risk to pedestrians.

To ensure pedestrian safety, lane filtering will only be allowed between lanes of traffic and not between a vehicle and the kerb.

[Gadget]

Quote from: Biggles on 01 November 2014, 08:26:39

I rode down to Sydney yesterday and demonstrated to the NSW Constabulary that it's not illegal to overtake using a turning lane.     

There's a story there...

Do tell! 

[JuST Peter]

JuST Peter,


Here is where it says it but not in those exact words.  The sealed Road Shoulder is the Breakdown or Safety Lane,

Riding on road shoulders and kerbside

On major roads, such as motorways and freeways where the speed limit is 90km/hr or more, a motorcycle rider who holds an open licence will be allowed to ride through stationary or slow moving traffic at speeds not greater than 30km/hr on the road shoulder (the sealed area on the edge of a road). A motorcycle rider will be required to give way to a cyclist already on the road shoulder. Riding on a road shoulder will not be allowed on roads with lower speed limits where it may pose a greater road safety risk to pedestrians.

To ensure pedestrian safety, lane filtering will only be allowed between lanes of traffic and not between a vehicle and the kerb.

Thanks Gary, I'd be surprised if the NSW  interpret these laws the same way though.
I wonder if Tony (Downunder) could give us a heads up here

[nate]

This is the one I'm unclear on. 

" It will also be recommended that a motorcycle rider should not lane filter near heavy vehicles or buses, due to the safety risk as drivers of heavy vehicles and buses may have trouble seeing motorcycles."

Is it allowed or not, or is it up to the discretion on the rider?  I filter past busses & trucks if and only if there is safe room to do so, but it seems that this is still a little grey area. 

Any thoughts?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Gadget]

Quote from: nate on 01 November 2014, 11:44:09

This is the one I'm unclear on. 

" It will also be recommended that a motorcycle rider should not lane filter near heavy vehicles or buses, due to the safety risk as drivers of heavy vehicles and buses may have trouble seeing motorcycles."

Is it allowed or not, or is it up to the discretion on the rider?  I filter past buses & trucks if and only if there is safe room to do so, but it seems that this is still a little grey area. 

Any thoughts?

Recommended is not compulsory.  I find Trucks and buses, being professional drivers, are far more aware of who and what are around them and often more courteous.  Having a UHF CB on the bike helps as you can talk to them before hand too. 

[Biggles]

Regarding "the shoulder"- it means you can ride down the left on the highway if the traffic is stopped (or nearly stopped) but not between the kerb and the traffic because of pedestrian hazards.

I'll tell my other story when I get home and have a full keyboard.

[Totgas]

So the footpath is still a no, no??     

Interestingly enough the shoulder can mean either the right or left of the marked lanes....if it has one. 

[Biggles]

I think I'll be printing off a copy of the law to carry with me because there will be quibbles about these technicalities and the Cops sometimes need extra help with the details (as per my story yet to come).

[Diesel]

Driver education is still a big one too. Those two drivers in cahoots on the NCastle Expressway are typical of how most Aussies see 'queue jumpers' And this is precisely what we may be seen as to the uneducated, who sometimes go out of their way to prove a point. Careful out there gangsters.
Cheers, Diesel

Sent from my Note 4

[spanner]

Just reember that these laws are not yet in place.


"Please note that the current rules and penalties     for riding a motorcycle in Queensland will remain in place until the changes commence in early 2015".

[Diesel]

Have any Members tried filtering under the new legislation yet?   


Can you give us an idea of how it went?




 

[Brock]

Nope,

But then I'm not in Qld