- Apr 01, 2015
When filtering between rows of stationary or slow moving motor vehicles, motorcyclists must leave a minimum gap of 10cm between the edge of their handlebar and protruding car mirrors.
To ensure motorcyclists adhere to the new 10cm gap rule, all filtering motorcycles must have TAC-approved feeler gauges attached to each end of their handlebar.
The flexible 10cm-long orange rubber sticks, referred to in the minister’s press release as Four-inch Flexible Filter Feelers (FFFF) are designed to minimise the chances of a motorcyclist’s handlebar coming into contact with a vehicle’s side mirror.
When contacted by AMCN a spokeswoman from the minister’s office, Sallipa Roof said the FFFF has been designed to ensure safety for all road users.
“Despite the fact that most car drivers are unsure of the purpose of the mirrors attached to the sides of their vehicles, we do often receive complaints that riders have knocked them with their handlebar,” she said.
“Oddly, this contact sometimes also occurs with the heel of a rider’s boot.”
The decision to release information about the new Four-inch Flexible Filter Feelers ahead of confirmation of the remaining filtering laws is designed to give Victorian riders ample time to purchase a pair of feelers from their local TAC office ($55.50) and have them correctly fitted by a TAC-certified Four-inch Flexible Filter Feeler Fitter (FFFFF). The government has capped the Four-inch Flexible Filter Feeler Fitter Fee (FFFFFF) at $15.50.
“Only after the TAC-approved Four-inch Flexible Filter Feelers are fitted by a Four-inch Flexible Filter Feeler Fitter and the appropriate Four-inch Flexible Filter Feeler Fitter Fee is paid can a rider legally filter,” Ms Sallipa Roof said.
“Any rider caught filtering without a pair of orange Flexible Filter Feelers attached to their handlebar will be fined $445 and will lose four demerit points.
“We strongly recommend all riders who will be taking advantage of the new lane filtering laws to drop into their local TAC office today, preferably before midday, and purchase a pair of Four-inch Flexible Filter Feelers before they sell out.”
