At the MCC's Motorcycle Awareness Week launch in Martin Place, the Honourable Duncan Gay, Minister for Roads and Ports, announced that a trial of lane filtering for motorcycles in a section of the City of Sydney will begin in February 2013.

Note that the first month of the trial will now be an observation of existing conditions. The exemptions for filtering will now start March!

For more information see the press release video of the announcement and text below or the PDF file of the press release at the bottom of the page.

The latest from Transport for NSW on the trial here

Map of the trial area here

Duncan Gay Lane Filtering Trial Announcement - YouTube

18 October 2012

AUSTRALIAN FIRST LANE FILTERING TRIAL FOR MOTORCYCLISTS IN THE SYDNEY CBD

The NSW Government will allow motorcyclists to filter through stationary vehicles at CBD intersections to test if the practice improves traffic flow.

Roads Minister Duncan Gay said the unique trial developed by Transport for NSW will start on 1 February 2013 and involve three months of data gathering by the Centre for Road Safety.

“The project will include using video to monitor lane filtering behaviour at intersections and also detect whether traffic movement improves in a selected northern CBD area,” Mr Gay said.

“Lane filtering is currently against the law however there will be an exemption for motorcyclists in this part of the CBD which will permit them to filter through traffic when vehicles are stopped at traffic lights,” he said.

“The NSW Police CBD Motorcycle Response Team, recently funded by Transport for NSW, will also be policing the intersections to ensure road rules are still being adhered to.

“This trial is not about favouring one road user group over another, it is a system which could benefit all motorists in the CBD.

“It needs to be tested to ensure it improves traffic flow while not jeopardising road safety.”

Mr Gay said the initiative comes after motorcycle groups campaigned for changes to laws around filtering for some time and in response to the consultation on the NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan.

“The practice exists in other countries such as the United Kingdom however we need to ensure there is strong evidence it works before we can make any changes to road rules.

“As usual, other motorists will need to check for motorcycle riders when they are turning and changing lanes.”

Superintendent Stuart Smith, Operations Commander of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, said police were keen to find a solution that improved both the city’s traffic flow and the safety of motorists and pedestrians. “The NSW Police Force is committed to improving traffic flow in the Sydney CBD and we are working closely with Transport for NSW on this innovative trial,” Superintendent Smith said. “However, the safety of all motorists and pedestrians remains our number one priority.

“We will be monitoring the trial sites regularly and, as always, ask that motorists drive carefully and considerately.” The lane filtering will be confined to an area bound by Sussex Street, Market Street, St James Road, Macquarie Street, Alfred Street and Hickson Road.

Rules for motorcyclists

• Lane filtering means motorcyclists can only move between stationary vehicles at intersections.

• Specific conditions will include taking extra care when filtering near buses, no filtering on the left in the kerbside left lane or dedicated turning lanes, and riders must stop at the intersection stop-line.

• Lane filtering has to stay within a lane, it is not overtaking.

• Lane splitting will not be allowed – this involves motorcyclists weaving through moving traffic instead of stationary traffic.

Media: Lance Northey 0467 743192

Lance Northey

Head of Communications

Office of the Minister for Roads and Ports

_____________________________________________

Mobile: 0467 743 192

Email: lance.northey@minister.nsw.gov.au

Tel: 02 9228 5271

Fax: 02 9228 5499

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