Safety First: What Arizona’s New HB 2941 Means for Motorcyclists

Here’s a tip for family road trips: instead of playing “Slug Bug” or “Punch Buggy” when you see a VW Beetle, get your kids to spot motorcycles! Shout out “I see a motorcycle!” (or something like that!) and the kid who racks up the most sightings wins.

Why do this? When we intentionally look for motorcycles, we train our eyes to spot them, and knowing where they are relative to our vehicle helps keep roads safer for everyone. Here’s a bonus: when your kids are old enough to drive, they’ll already be conditioned to watch for two-wheeled drivers, and that makes our roads safer for everyone.

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Safety First in Arizona

We’re not the only ones making the roads safer in Arizona. If you ride a motorcycle, you know it’s even more important to ride safely.

black and gray motorcycle on road during daytime

With less protection, motorcycle riders have to be extra aware of what everyone else is doing on the road. Your smaller footprint is harder to notice, and with the myriad distractions drivers face these days, it’s on you to stay inside the lines.

A new Arizona law took effect September 12th to address one specific riding practice that creates dangerous situations in traffic.

RELATED: Motorcyclists: Is "Lane Filtering" Legal in Arizona?

What HB 2941 Changes

Arizona House Bill 2941 reclassifies illegal motorcycle lane splitting as reckless driving under Arizona law.

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs signed the measure into law, and it took effect September 12, 2026. Under the law, a motorcyclist who rides between moving vehicles traveling in the same direction or passes another vehicle in the same lane can be charged with reckless driving, a Class 2 misdemeanor.

two persons riding motorcycles

A first conviction could result in a driver’s license suspension and other court-ordered penalties. Repeat offenders with certain qualifying convictions within the past 24 months may face additional penalties, including a Class 1 misdemeanor, jail time, and a longer license suspension.

Lane Splitting And Lane Filtering Are Not The Same

The Sierra Vista Police Department posted about this on the Sierra Vista Police Fire and EMS Facebook page. They’re getting the word out to motorcycle riders that lane splitting and lane filtering are different, and you could end up with big fines if you don’t know the difference.

According to 12News, lane splitting is when a motorcycle travels between moving vehicles, and it’s illegal in Arizona.

an aerial view of two cars driving down a road

Lane filtering is a little different, and it’s still legal under specific conditions. That includes moving between vehicles when traffic is stopped, the roadway has at least two lanes traveling in the same direction, and the posted speed limit is 45 mph or less. Motorcycles may not travel faster than 15 mph when lane filtering.

The SVPD’s Traffic Tip Tuesday post said, "As always, our goal is to help motorists understand the law and make safe decisions on the road. Riders should remember that lane splitting is now subject to Arizona's reckless driving statute, while legal lane filtering remains unchanged."

RELATED: THIS is Illegal in Arizona if you Ride a Motorcycle

man in black jacket riding motorcycle on road during daytime

The Bottom Line

The new law leaves Arizona's lane-filtering rules intact, but the penalties increase for illegal lane splitting. Let’s all stay safe on our roads, and teach our kids this new Motorcycle spotting game. Now, what should we call this game? Moto Spot? Bike Bonk? Cycle Sighting? I’ll let you decide!

Keep an eye out for motorcycles! Here’s the SVPD’s original Facebook post, if you’d like to learn more: