Proposed Changes in the Law to Allow Filtering

For The Interest of Members Particularly Those Who Travel in Peak Times.
Publication by Victorian Motorcycle Council.

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Intro Message:

This email will bring you up to speed on what's going in Victoria in regards to Motorcycle Traffic Filtering.

For those not entirely sure what it is, filtering is the safe progress/movement of a motorcycle through queues of slow and stationary traffic. City members will most likely already be filtering on a regular basis.

Filtering is NOT strictly illegal but there are a number of road laws that a rider can conflict with when filtering, any one of which could result in a fine especially if there's a blitz on. When the traffic is stationary though, filtering can be done in a narrowly defined technically legal way according to Road Rule 141.1.c.

So why are we talking about this? Because legal filtering is on its way. Filtering is Labor policy and Vicroads are under instructions to make it happen by September - which means the work to make this happen is occurring right now.

There are many people to thank for getting Victoria to this historic point (Thanks!) and we also need to thank NSW and QLD for introducing filtering and proving that the sky wouldn't fall on anyone's head as the nay-sayers predicted (Thanks!).

Some riders would prefer that things be left as they are, however the spin off benefits from legitimising and legalising filtering are significant. It will encourage motorcycling to grow, help rider safety, increase the public's awareness of motorcycling, help reduce congestion and help bring motorcycling firmly into the transport policy framework. These benefits are worth having.

The VMC's proposed filtering framework for Victoria is attached. The final form of filtering may look different, but the attached document is what we'll be fighting for. Let us know what you think.

Thanks for being part of the VMC.

Cheers,

Ride safe.
Rob Salvatore
VMC Chair.