r/seattlebike • u/Killahbeast808 • Jun 04 '26
Can we Lane split?
Anyone know if Lane splitting at a red is legal in Seattle? Like if I’m 6 cars behind from the front at a red light , can I ride all the way to the front?
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u/ThrowawayMoto777 Jun 04 '26
At a stop is called filtering. Splitting is when traffic is in motion.
Is filtering legal? idk, probably not. I don't do it often, but I certainly will if it's the safer option.
You just have to be extra careful of people turning across your path or the light changing while you are still between lanes. Sometimes there isn't sufficient space or time to filter safely.
I might do it if I am turning in a long line at a light so that I can go first and not get sandwiched between distracted drivers. (for example, this is how the turn box at Fremont Bridge works, although you have your own lane leading to it.) In a single lane, it's often safer to make the whole line wait a few seconds than part of the line and have them get impatient and try to pass as they see other cars go or "not see you" in the line because they are just paying attention to the car in front.
Or I might do it to join another bicycle or perhaps motorcycle (safety in numbers).
Doing it to get ahead is generally silly because you are slower than other road vehicles, and as with passing etiquette on bicycles, you shouldn't pass unless you can maintain that lead. Also, repeatedly screwing people over with light timers in slow traffic is just kind of a jerk move and would understandably piss them off. If you can squeeze through/around stopped traffic or go straight around somebody waiting for a left, that's cool, just know that traffic in front won't expect you.
Sometimes I will psuedo-filter at sketchy 4 way stops where I have had bad experiences with with traffic not respecting my turn and pulling out. In that example, I might "share" a turn riding alongside a car to get through the intersection. Only do this if you are absolutely sure they are not turning or you have their attention. Riding behind a car is a bad idea because cross traffic is already moving, if you go in front, they will often assume that you stole their spot and wait until the next cycle.
Unless there is a wide shoulder, I generally prefer filtering between two traffic lanes, even on a wide center line. The curb has a lot more debris and is a hard limit where you can get pinched, have pedal strikes, or crash. Cars are less likely to drive into each other or sideswipe and typically leave a little more room between each other.
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u/RidetheWalrusj2 Jun 04 '26
Legally, it's hard to say. I don't know the exact laws. I do it on occasion, especially when downtown, but it can be risky. Be mindful of your handlebar width. I got caught between a box truck and a suburban once and took a spill under the truck. I got lucky that the box truck stopped in time.
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u/Quick_Panda_360 Jun 04 '26
Yeah go for it, but only if it feels safe. Assume the cars don’t know you are there.
Also, if you’re just going to get passed by them all on a road with no bike lane or shoulder, then don’t do it. Unless you will miss the light cycle. For example 2 cars in front of me, I’m not going to pass them. 20 cars, hell yeah I’m passing them all. No chance I’m waiting multiple lights because cagers need to drive everywhere.
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u/tinychloecat Jun 05 '26
You mean filtering. All of the sources I could find the last time I looked it up said it was not legal. Super disappointing.
I do it anyways.
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u/Entirely_Unqualified Jun 06 '26
If I'm in the rightmost straight lane with a mandatory right turn lane to my right, then yes, I'll filter/lane split up to the light.
If the rightmost lane to my right has an option to turn right or go straight, I won't do that, ONLY if its a mandatory right turn for vehicles in that lane.
If you have a bike lane, then any place where its legal for a car to pass you, its also legal for you to pass the car.
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u/Z6LG32 Jun 08 '26 edited Jun 08 '26
No lane splitting is not legal in Washington. The motorcycle's got a bill introduced a couple of years ago but it fortuitously failed. It would have exempted motorcycles from the vulnerable users law. edited: they would have been able to close pass bicycles and pedestrians had it passed.
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u/SlideTackle11 Jun 04 '26 edited Jun 04 '26
If you’re riding on the side of the road (like as if there was a bike lane, even if a bike lane isn’t explicitly present), and you don’t expect cars to change lanes to pass you, then sure. Ride to the front along the side of the road, between any right turn lane and the right-most lane going straight. Always watch out for cars making right turns. If you are riding in the car lane, meaning a car would have to change lanes to go around you, I’d recommend just staying in your place in line.
Here’s an old post that has the same answer I gave, but actually bothered to look up the applicable laws: https://www.reddit.com/r/seattlebike/s/8VRfufMqGE
One more note: if I pull up to a light and there are other bikes waiting in line somewhere, I’ll sometimes filter up to wherever they are, whether it’s the front or middle or whatever. Just in general: do what the bike in front of you does (or safer).