Are Motorcycles Allowed to Split Lanes in CO?

Nobody likes sitting in traffic. Depending on what time of day you try to drive through parts of Colorado, and depending on which way you go, odds are you will spend some time sitting in traffic. While it allows you to check your phone while you sit and go nowhere, it will test your patience, and ultimately, you will find yourself wanting to get to your destination and losing your patience. Sitting in traffic is the worst, but some have ways to avoid it, and that is if you own a motorcycle. Odds are high that at some point you have seen a motorcycle go between you and another vehicle and felt jealous and wished you could do the same. When it comes to splitting lanes, is it against the law in Colorado, and are motorcycles allowed to do it? 

Lane Splitting in Colorado

For those unfamiliar with lane splitting. This is the term for when motorcycles go between vehicles and aren't truly in a lane, but instead are going down the middle of traffic. Odds are you have seen this before and may have almost hit a motorcycle when they are doing this. Since they are not in a lane, is what they are doing legal in the state of Colorado? The answer is a little complicated because it is illegal, but there is also a loophole. If traffic is flowing and moving steadily, and a motorcycle flies by between you and the car next to you, that would be against the law. Lane splitting in traffic that is moving is not legal in Colorado. What about if there is a traffic jam, though? That is where things get interesting, because then motorcycles are allowed to go between vehicles. While lane splitting is illegal, lane filtering is not, but what is the difference? 

Lane Filtering in Colorado

When a wreck, construction, or too many people on the road stop the flow of traffic, motorcycles can legally navigate between vehicles and make their way through the jam to get to their destination quicker than those stuck waiting. This is called lane filtering, which is legal. This is most common when at stop lights as well. Odds are high that you have been sitting at a light and seen a motorcycle come up around everyone and get to the front of the line. This is also lane filtering. This became legal in Colorado back in 2024, and most motorcyclists have taken advantage of this law. 

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Lane splitting is illegal in Colorado, while lane filtering is not. To find out more about what the difference is and what motorcycles can and can't get away with, make sure to click the links above. If you see a motorcycle lane splitting, it is best to report them to keep everyone safe, but if you see one filtering lanes, despite how jealous you may be, it is best to let them be.