New Twist on Texas Roads: Updates on Texas Motorcycle Laws!
Attention, Lone Star motorcyclists and future riders! A significant twist hit the Texas roads effective September 1, 2023. Lane splitting and filtering, once debated actions in a gray legal area, are now explicitly illegal in Texas.
Originating from House Bill 4122, crafted by state representative Ryan Guillen in March 2023, this amendment was enacted recently after many hearings, votes, and signatures. There are two main takeaways from this straightforward amendment:
- No More Gray Areas: Motorcycles can’t zigzag between lanes of same-direction traffic or pass cars in the same lane. Goodbye, lane splitting and filtering!
- Full Lane Rights: But here is good news: motorcycles can use an entire lane, and other vehicles shouldn’t deprive them of this.
Arguments for these changes are as polarizing in Texas as anywhere else. While some riders feel lane splitting can be a life-saver against distracted drivers, others don’t like the sudden zip of a bike next to them.
Now in Texas, motorcyclists also:
- May operate the motorcycles two abreast in a single lane, but
- May not operate the motorcycle more than two abreast in a lane.
Planning to burn rubber in Texas soon? Make sure you’re clued in! Disagree with the change? Reach out to your state reps. Remember, they’re there to represent you, Texas riders.
We at the Herd Law Firm, PLLC, are motorcycle riders, too! We support bikers and motorcyclists injured on the road, and have successfully represented such victims seeking the assistance and compensation they so need and deserve.
9/14/2023
