Alright, so everyone’s been buzzing about this Arizona lane splitting law, or “lane filtering” as some folks like to call it. When I first heard the news, I thought, “Okay, about time we got something like this here.” But you know me, I don’t just take things at face value. I gotta see how it actually plays out in the real world, on our streets.
My First Steps and Observations
So, the first thing I did was actually pull up the specifics. Reading the text of a law is one thing, but understanding how it’s meant to be used, and how it will be used, are two totally different beasts. The law says stuff about when and how, speeds, types of roads, all that jazz. Okay, got it. Paperwork done.
Then, I started just… watching. On my own rides, I made it a point to pay extra attention at intersections, during traffic slowdowns. I was curious. Would I see a flood of bikes zipping between cars? How would drivers react? It wasn’t about rushing to do it myself, but more about gathering intel, you know? Like a scout.
What I saw initially was a mixed bag. Some riders, clearly eager, were trying it out. Some looked a bit hesitant, others maybe a tad too bold for my liking, given how new it was. And drivers? Well, you can imagine. Some were oblivious, some were clearly annoyed, and a few, bless ’em, actually seemed aware and even tried to make a little space. But “a few” is the key phrase there.
Dipping My Toes In – The Practice
After a bit of just observing, I decided I’d try to understand the practical feel of it. I didn’t just dive in. No way. I started super cautiously. I’m talking about situations where traffic was at a dead stop, on specific roads I knew well, and where I had a clear view and what felt like enough space. My internal checklist was long: Is traffic completely stopped? Is there genuinely enough room? Am I going super slow? Can drivers even see me?
My first few “attempts” were more like inching forward a few feet between stopped cars at a red light. It felt… weird. Not because of the act itself, but because of the unpredictability of the cars around me. You’re hyper-aware of mirrors, of the potential for a sudden door opening, or someone deciding to change lanes without looking, even if they’re barely moving.
- I focused on making eye contact if possible, though that’s a rare gift.
- I kept my speed way, way down. Like, walking pace or slower.
- If I felt even a tiny bit unsure, I just wouldn’t do it. Simple as that. Hang back, wait my turn.
What I’ve Recorded in My Mental Logbook
So, after all this time, what’s my take? Well, it’s not the magic bullet some riders might have hoped for, and it’s not the traffic apocalypse some drivers might have feared. It’s… a tool. A very specific tool for very specific situations, and it requires a ton of situational awareness and, frankly, a healthy dose of skepticism about what other people on the road are going to do.
Here’s what I’ve jotted down in my own experience log:
Driver awareness is still the biggest hurdle. Many drivers just aren’t expecting a motorcycle to be there. They’re not looking for us in that space. That’s not even malice, just habit. This law is new for them too.
The “rules” are a minimum, not a guarantee of safety. Just because the law says you can do something up to a certain speed, doesn’t mean it’s always smart to do it at that speed, or even at all. My personal speed limit for filtering is way lower than what the law might technically allow. I go by feel, by the density of the traffic, by the vibe I’m getting from the cars around me.
It’s not for every rider, and not for every situation. If you’re not feeling 100% confident and hyper-alert, just don’t. If the gap looks tight, it probably is. If traffic is moving, even slowly, the risks multiply fast. For me, it’s strictly for stopped or barely crawling traffic, and usually only for a short distance to get to the front of a light, if there’s ample room.
So yeah, that’s been my journey with it. I didn’t just read a headline and go wild. I watched, I learned, I proceeded with caution, and I’m still learning. It’s one of those things where the written law is just the very first step. The real “law” is what happens on the tarmac, and you gotta write your own safety manual for that every single day. Stay safe out there.