Lane splitting is a maneuver made by motorcyclists that involves riding between two lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic. While it is legal in a handful of jurisdictions, lane splitting is against the law in Ohio. The police will issue tickets for improper lane changes, and a conviction can carry hefty fines. State law also says that motorcyclists must exercise due care when passing stopped vehicles, which is difficult to do when speeding between two lanes of congested traffic.
What Is Lane Splitting?
Lane splitting is a controversial topic due to its reputation for either improving or reducing motorcyclists’ safety, depending on who you ask. When motorcyclists split lanes, they ride down the middle of a lane between vehicles and lanes of traffic. This is typically only done when traffic is moving slowly, such as in traffic jams or in low-speed areas. When motorcyclists split lanes at stopped intersections, it’s called lane filtering.
This riding technique is common in many parts of the world, but it is illegal throughout the United States outside of California. However, many motorcyclists believe it’s safer for riders, as riding between vehicles renders them less vulnerable to rear-end collisions compared to remaining in the lane of traffic.
On the other hand, riders who straddle lanes between vehicles may be injured if drivers or passengers open their doors or suddenly change lanes in their direction. In addition, drivers in tractor-trailers and other large vehicles may have difficulty seeing motorcyclists who split lanes, as they may ride directly in their blind spots.
Is Lane Splitting Illegal in Ohio?
Lane splitting is illegal in Ohio. If you find yourself speeding on a motorcycle between two lanes of stopped traffic, the chances of receiving a citation are high. Your ticket will not reference lane splitting specifically, but law enforcement officers have a number of moving violations they could cite.
Many officers rely on Ohio Revised Code 4511.33 in these situations. This statute bars improper lane changes, which require motorists to remain within a single lane or line of traffic. Unsafe lane change tickets can lead to costly fines.
Is Lane Splitting Really Safer?
An in-depth and well-regarded study conducted on motorcycle safety called the Hurt Report seemed to indicate that lane splitting improves motorcycle safety by reducing the risk of rear-end crashes. However, Professor Harry Hurt, the author of the study, later said that there was no actual research or factual data supporting this theory.
In California, a state where lane splitting is legal, there are 30% fewer rear-end motorcycle collisions than in Florida and Texas, states with similar weather and large riding populations but no laws permitting lane splitting.
A study conducted in May 2015 by researchers at UC Berkeley’s Safe Transportation Research and Education Center discovered that 4.6% of lane-splitting motorcyclists are rear-ended compared to 6% of non-lane-splitting riders. In addition, they were 8% less likely to suffer head injuries, 10% less likely to suffer torso injuries, and 1.8% less likely to die in accidents.
Lane Splitting Can Make the Insurance Company Even More Biased Against You
At Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy, our Ohio motorcycle accident lawyers have learned an important lesson in our many years of representing injured riders: insurance companies almost always believe that motorcyclists are to blame for their own crashes. Even in cases where it’s clear the other drivers weren’t paying attention, riders often are assigned liability and denied settlements.
There could also be consequences for a potential personal injury case if you are hurt in a crash while lane splitting. As a motorcyclist, you already face an uphill battle if you’re injured in an accident. The last thing you should do is give the insurance adjuster even more reasons to deny your claim or make a lowball offer to settle your case.
How to Reduce Your Risks Without Lane Splitting
If you don’t want to risk getting a citation, but still want to reduce your risks of a rear-end crash on your motorcycle, the following tips can help you stay safe:
- Make yourself as visible as possible. Drivers aren’t always on the lookout for motorcyclists. And when they don’t look, riders are at risk of rear-end crashes. Avoiding a rear-end crash is all about being seen by the driver behind you, and that means being as visible as possible. Wear brightly colored clothing and a brightly colored helmet, and ensure that your brake lights and taillights are in good working condition.
- Change lanes if you’re being tailgated. Drivers who follow you too closely in moving traffic may take too long to brake in slowed traffic or at intersections. If a driver is too close to your rear tire, change lanes and let them pass.
- Check your rear-view mirrors. When you’re riding, it’s important to always be aware of the entire space around your motorcycle, including the space behind it. It’s especially vital when you’re stopped at a red light. Check your mirrors frequently, and be prepared to perform an evasive maneuver if a vehicle approaches you from behind and the driver doesn’t see you.
We’re Here to Help After Motorcycle Crashes
Riding a motorcycle is risky. Even the safest riders who wear all the gear all the time are potentially risking their lives every time they get on their bikes. When riders are hurt in crashes that aren’t their fault, they often suffer serious, debilitating injuries that put them out of work. We believe that those riders deserve maximum compensation, but it doesn’t always work out that way when insurance companies get involved.
If you or someone you love is hurt in a motorcycle crash, we want to help. We have decades of experience upholding motorcyclists’ rights against biased insurance companies, and we want to put that experience to work for you, too. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Revised September 15, 2025.
