H 7354Personal

Motor and Other Vehicles - Passing, Use of Lanes and Rules of the Road

Allows motorcycles to safely pass stopped or slow-moving vehicles in the same lane at low speeds.

Held for study

Population
Affected

Introduced Jan 28, 2026Committee House Judiciary

Plain-English Summary

This legislation creates a new traffic rule allowing motorcyclists to engage in "lane filtering." Under this bill, a two-wheeled motorcycle can drive between lanes or pass other vehicles in the same lane, but only under specific safety conditions. The traffic must be stopped or moving very slowly (10 mph or less), and the motorcycle cannot travel faster than 20 mph while performing the maneuver. The road must also have lanes wide enough to allow this to happen safely. This practice is intended to help motorcycles navigate through heavy congestion.

For younger readers

This new rule is for people who ride motorcycles. Sometimes, when there is a lot of traffic, cars have to stop or move very slowly. This bill says that motorcycles do not have to wait in line behind the cars. If the cars are stopped or barely moving, a motorcycle is allowed to slowly ride past them in the same lane to get through the traffic jam. They have to be very careful, go slowly, and can only do it if there is enough room on the road.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

MotorcyclistsAutomobile DriversLaw EnforcementInsurance CompaniesCommuters

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

None

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Promotes environmental sustainability by reducing traffic congestion and idling time for motorcycles, which helps lower carbon emissions in high-traffic areas.
Enhances safety for motorcyclists by allowing them to move away from stopped traffic, reducing the risk of severe injury from being rear-ended by distracted drivers in stop-and-go jams.
Improves the efficiency of public infrastructure by maximizing the usage of existing road space without requiring expensive and disruptive road widening projects.
May increase risks for pedestrians and cyclists crossing between stopped cars who might not anticipate a motorcycle approaching from between the lanes.
Could create anxiety and stress for drivers of smaller, economy vehicles who may feel crowded or unsafe when motorcycles pass in close proximity within the same lane.
Risks encouraging aggressive driving behaviors that could lead to accidents, potentially burdening emergency services and the public healthcare system.

For Conservatives

Expands personal freedom for motorcyclists by removing unnecessary government restrictions on how they navigate traffic and utilize the roadways.
Increases individual efficiency by allowing citizens to bypass gridlock, thereby respecting the value of their time and reducing their daily commute.
Reduces government interference in driving habits, trusting individuals to exercise personal responsibility and judgment regarding their own safety while operating their vehicles.
Undermines the orderly flow of traffic and the rule of law by allowing a specific group to ignore standard lane boundaries that apply to everyone else.
Creates potential liability traps for law-abiding car owners who may be sued if they accidentally hit a filtering motorcycle while maneuvering within their own lane.
Erodes traditional social norms of fairness on the road by allowing one group of people to "cut the line" ahead of families and workers waiting patiently in traffic.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 11 additions

SECTION 1. Chapter 31-15 of the General Laws entitled "Passing, Use of Lanes, and Rules of the Road" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 31-15-1.1. Lane filtering for motorcycles -- definition.

(a) The operator of a two (2)-wheeled motorcycle may engage in lane filtering when:

(1) The operator of a two (2) wheeled motorcycle is on a road with lanes wide enough to pass safely;

(2) The overtaking motorcycle is not operated at a speed in excess of twenty miles per hour (20 mph) when overtaking the stopped or slow-moving vehicle; and

(3) Conditions permit continued reasonable and prudent operation of the motorcycle while lane filtering.

(b) As used in this section, "lane filtering" means the act of overtaking and passing another vehicle that is stopped or traveling at a speed not in excess of ten miles per hour (10 mph) in the same direction of travel and in the same lane.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.