lane splitting vs filtering

Lane filtering is the polite cousin of lane splitting: filtering means a motorcycle sneaking between stationary or very slow traffic at low speed; splitting is doing it at higher speeds among moving cars.

In Australia, filtering is legal in many states under strict conditions, while splitting is generally illegal and treated about as warmly as a burn-out in a Bunnings carpark.

• Lane filtering – Pros: Quicker through congestion; less engine heat and clutch grief; can smooth traffic a touch.
• Lane filtering – Cons: Tight gaps, mirror-knocking risk, and fines if you ignore the specific state rules.
• Lane splitting – Pros: You’ll make faster progress, if you enjoy playing thread-the-needle at speed.
• Lane splitting – Cons: Much higher crash risk, generally illegal, and the penalties sting.

Bottom line: check your state’s road rules (and common sense) before trying either.