Advocates, along with The Skilled Motorcyclist Association – Responsible, Trained and Educated Riders, Inc. (SMARTER) has sent a letter to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the Michigan State Senate urging them not to advance Senate Bill (SB) 365, which would permit motorcycle lane filtering, at this time.
Clearly, action is needed to address the high and rising toll of motorcyclist fatalities. However, there is a paucity of research on the safety impact of lane filtering, and it is mixed and inconclusive. One study found that riders filtering on urban roads have a risk of being involved in injury crashes that is nearly four times greater than for riders driving in general traffic lanes.
The same study also associated filtering with a significantly higher risk of pedestrian collisions. Considering the absence of definitive data showing a safety benefit, we urge the committee not to advance SB 365.
Motorcycles are the most hazardous form of motor vehicle transportation, and fatalities are rising. In 2023, 180 motorcyclists lost their lives in Michigan according to the most recently available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
With motorcyclist fatalities at record levels, we urge senators to table SB 365 and instead pursue an all-rider helmet use law to enhance safety for motorcyclists.
Read the full letter here.