Colorado State Patrol Warns Motorcyclists: Lane Splitting Is Illegal After I-76 Crash

Description: Colorado State Patrol warns that lane splitting is illegal after dashcam video captured a motorcycle crash on I-76 in Adams County. Know Colorado’s lane filtering rules...

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Colorado State Patrol Warns Riders: Lane Splitting is Illegal and Dangerous

Dashcam footage shows the danger of riding between moving vehicles

(ADAMS COUNTY, COLO.) At approximately 7:00 a.m. on Friday, August 7, 2026, two marked Colorado State Patrol vehicles were traveling westbound on I-76 near East 88th Avenue. Dash camera video shows a motorcycle riding between the two patrol vehicles while traffic was moving. Moments later, the motorcycle is seen colliding with the rear of a white sedan as the sedan changes lanes and the motorcycle approaches from behind.

The maneuver shown in the video is lane splitting, not lane filtering, because the surrounding vehicles were moving. Lane splitting remains illegal in Colorado.

"Lane filtering was legalized to give motorcyclists a safer option when traffic is completely stopped, not to allow riders to travel between moving vehicles," said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. "When a motorcycle moves between active lanes of traffic, drivers may not see the rider approaching or have time to react. Riders must know the difference and use lane filtering only when every legal and safety condition is met."

Know the Difference

Lane filtering is legal only when vehicles in the rider's lane and the adjacent lane traveling in the same direction are completely stopped. The rider may carefully pass on the left at no more than 15 mph when there is enough room to do so safely and without entering a lane of oncoming traffic.

Lane splitting is illegal. It occurs when a motorcycle rides between lanes or rows of vehicles while traffic is moving. Slow-moving or congested traffic is still moving traffic and does not qualify for legal lane filtering.

Colorado's Lane Filtering Rules

1. Traffic in the rider's lane and the adjacent lane traveling in the same direction must be completely stopped.
2. The lane must be wide enough for the motorcycle to pass safely.
3. The motorcycle may not exceed 15 mph while filtering.
4. The rider must maintain control and pass safely.
5. The rider must pass on the left and may not enter a lane of oncoming traffic.

Lane filtering is optional, not required. If traffic begins moving, there is not enough space, or conditions are otherwise unsafe, the rider must remain in or return to the normal flow of traffic. Drivers should check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes, avoid distractions, and give motorcycles adequate space.

The Colorado State Patrol is releasing this footage as a traffic-safety reminder. Riders and drivers can learn more about Colorado's lane filtering law by visiting us online at https://csp.colorado.gov/lane-filtering-in-colorado.

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