Motorcycles in Traffic Jams: Bas Debate Fuels Petition for Legalized Lane Splitting

• Weaving between lanes of traffic is illegal in Germany and is punishable as improper overtaking on the right, carrying a fine of around 100 euros.
• A petition to the Bundestag’s Petitions Committee calls for legalization and had gathered around 7,700 signatures by mid-June 2026.
• In France, lane splitting has been legal since early 2025 following two traffic trials, and other countries including Austria, Spain, Belgium, and Greece permit it under certain conditions.

The topic has been a perennial companion to motorcycle season, yet it has rarely received as much public attention as in recent days. The catalyst was a television appearance in which a government minister openly admitted to breaking the rules while stuck in traffic. The debate touches on several levels at once: existing law, the safety of both motorcyclists and motorists, and the question of whether Germany should follow the example of numerous neighboring countries.

What Did Bärbel Bas Say on the ARD Talk Show?

Bärbel Bas admitted on Sunday evening, June 7, 2026, on the ARD talk show “Caren Miosga” that she rides her motorcycle through stationary columns of cars. Host Caren Miosga had asked whether the minister was one of those motorcyclists who weave through traffic jams. “Yes, you have to,” Bas replied. Miosga reacted with surprise: “But that’s not allowed.” Bas initially defended her behavior by citing the heat buildup from the engine, saying: “I need airflow.” She then made a request that drew laughter in the studio: “Every car driver: please make room when motorcyclists are coming.”

When pressed further, the politician became more cautious. “I honestly don’t know,” she said with a laugh. She explained that an engine gets hot in traffic and not every machine has adequate cooling. In essence, she suggested that before a motorcycle catches fire, one should try to keep moving. According to media reports, Bas rides an older Harley-Davidson Low Rider S with an air-cooled V2 engine, which originally retailed for around 20,000 euros.

Is Lane Splitting Legal in Germany?

No, lane splitting is not legal in Germany. Unlike in some neighboring countries, there is no legal basis for so-called lane splitting or filtering. The Straßenverkehrsordnung (German Road Traffic Regulations) provides no exception for motorcycles in either slow-moving or stationary traffic. Anyone who weaves through nonetheless violates several key provisions under current law, typically the overtaking rules under Section 5 of the StVO and lane discipline under Section 7, Paragraph 2 of the StVO.

A court has confirmed this position as well. The Oberlandesgericht (Higher Regional Court) Düsseldorf ruled in 2019 that a motorcyclist riding between vehicles is no longer traveling in their original lane. This constitutes overtaking in violation of general traffic regulations, even when the surrounding vehicles are stationary. The ADAC summarizes the situation concisely on its website: “Lane splitting is prohibited.”

What Are the Penalties for Lane Splitting in Traffic Jams?

In Germany, weaving between lanes of traffic is classified as improper overtaking on the right, carrying a fine of around 100 euros. Driving on the hard shoulder costs at least 75 euros and one penalty point in Flensburg. Unauthorized use of the emergency corridor incurs a minimum fine of 240 euros, two penalty points in Flensburg, and a one-month driving ban. If the violation causes an obstruction, the fine rises to 280 euros; if it creates a hazard, to 300 euros; and if it results in property damage, to 320 euros—each accompanied by penalty points and a driving ban.

Stopping on the hard shoulder is only permitted in a genuine emergency, such as circulatory problems, nausea, or an imminent heatstroke—situations where there is an acute danger to life or health. A mere desire to cool down does not justify pulling over. The emergency corridor under Section 11, Paragraph 2 of the StVO is reserved exclusively for emergency vehicles, even if motorists voluntarily create a gap out of courtesy. Only overtaking on the left, between the outermost lane and the central barrier, is not fundamentally prohibited, provided a minimum clearance of one meter is maintained on both sides. In practice, however, this maneuver is considered risky because partial liability may apply in the event of an accident. Police also take a critical view of the practice. A spokesperson for the Berlin police stated as early as 2022: “Motorcyclists who weave through traffic jams are committing a regulatory offense. Such violations are penalized.”

What Is the Petition for Legalized Lane Splitting About?

The petition calls for the legalization of lane splitting for motorized two-wheelers and is addressed to the Petitions Committee of the German Bundestag. It was submitted by Jens-Uwe Langner on the openPetition platform, launched on April 10, 2026, with the signature collection running until October 9, 2026. By mid-June 2026, approximately 7,700 signatures had been collected, of which around 7,300 counted toward the 30,000 quorum required for a parliamentary response within Germany. The petition can be found at https://www.openpetition.de/petition/online/legalisierung-der-staudurchfahrt-fuer-motorisierte-zweiraeder.

In terms of substance, the petition references the regulations of numerous European countries and argues that easing the existing ban would relieve individual traffic. Benefits cited include shorter traffic jams, reduced congestion frequency, and lower emissions. Critics counter with an increased accident risk and see the danger that “tailgaters” would be given preferential treatment. However, this term only partially fits the situation, as slowly passing stationary or barely moving vehicles is quite different from the aggressive tailgating and close following in flowing traffic that the expression actually describes. The demand is not new: motorcycle associations such as the Bundesverband der Motorradfahrer (Federal Association of Motorcyclists) have been advocating for a regulated framework for years, at least on highways and expressways under strict safety conditions. The last notable discussion at the federal level took place during the 2021 StVO reform, but it yielded no result for motorcyclists.

What Benefits Would Legalized Lane Splitting Bring?

Proponents primarily expect relief for traffic and the environment. The petition cites shorter traffic jams, reduced congestion frequency, and lower emissions. Since a motorcycle takes up significantly less space than a car in stop-and-go traffic and merges back in more quickly once past the jam, traffic backups could be shortened without significantly impeding following motorists.

There is also a safety argument relating to the tail end of a traffic jam. A stationary motorcycle offers little protection if an inattentive driver rear-ends it from behind. Riders who move past the jam leave this vulnerable position. Heat-related health risks could also be reduced if motorcyclists did not have to stand motionless in direct sunlight for extended periods. As the French example demonstrates, such a regulation can be implemented under clear conditions without permanently compromising road safety.

What Dangers Do Motorcycles Face When Stuck in Traffic?

When motorcycles are forced to remain stationary in traffic, the primary risks are heat-related problems and an increased likelihood of rear-end collisions. While motorists wait relatively comfortably with their air conditioning running, motorcyclists sit at high ambient temperatures in heavy protective gear on a vehicle whose engine generates and radiates additional heat. This can lead to loss of concentration, circulatory problems, and in extreme cases, heat-related emergencies that in turn require emergency services.

The technology also reaches its limits. Many modern machines do feature powerful cooling systems and electric fans capable of handling extended standstills, but this offers little help to the rider, as the fans blow the hot air directly toward them. Cases are also known from practice where an engine, despite a functioning fan, became so hot in stationary traffic that the cylinder head gasket was damaged. Many motorcycles are simply not designed for prolonged standstills at temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius.

Lawmakers argue the opposite case, pointing to the dangers of lane splitting itself. Motorists in traffic jams do not necessarily expect motorcycles between the vehicles, meaning even a minor lane change or an opened door can lead to serious accidents. Furthermore, other road users could follow the example and thereby block the spaces that must remain clear for emergency services.

What Do the French Traffic Trials Show?

The French traffic trials show one thing above all: whether lane splitting works safely depends critically on whether other road users are prepared for it. Since 2016, the practice was tested in initially eleven départements. Between the two outermost left lanes, an additional corridor could be used by motorcycles at a maximum of 50 km/h and with a speed differential of no more than 30 km/h compared to the other vehicles. After roughly five years, this first trial ended in January 2021 with a sobering result: on the designated routes, the number of accidents rose by twelve percent, while on comparison routes without the trial, accidents dropped by ten percent.

The critical weakness was insufficient public awareness. During the first trial, other road users were not specifically informed that they should expect lane-splitting motorcycles on the test routes. Motorists simply did not anticipate a two-wheeler approaching between the lanes and reacted accordingly unprepared. The primary accident causes identified were inattentive motorists and motorcyclists riding too fast; a conclusive causal link solely to lane splitting could not be derived. Moreover, the significantly increased traffic volume during the test period was not factored in.

Following nationwide protests, which included a rally of approximately 20,000 motorcyclists, rider organizations were involved in designing a second trial. This ran from August 2021 to 2024 across 21 départements under significantly modified conditions. The most important difference: the corridor was now signposted, actively alerting motorists to the practice, and lane splitting became a mandatory component of Class A driver education starting in early 2022. With this broad awareness campaign, the second attempt proved successful and culminated in legislation. Since early 2025, through a decree dated January 9 with effect from January 11, lane splitting has been universally permitted in France.

How Do Other European Countries Regulate Lane Splitting?

In several European countries, passing stationary traffic is permitted under clear conditions. In France, the regulation applies only on highways or roads with at least two directional carriageways separated by a median strip and a speed limit between 70 and 130 km/h. Motorcycles may travel at a maximum of 50 km/h and must abort the maneuver as soon as traffic in either lane reaches 50 km/h again; moreover, it is restricted to vehicles no wider than one meter. Violations carry a fine of 135 euros.

In Austria, cautiously weaving past stationary columns is permitted when sufficient space is available, provided no obstruction or hazard results. In Belgium, motorcycles may overtake the column by no more than 20 km/h and may only move between the two outermost left lanes. In Spain, motorcycles are allowed to overtake at red lights within urban areas, and in some places dedicated stop boxes are provided directly in front of traffic lights. Greece legalized lane splitting in slow-moving traffic in September 2024. In other countries such as Portugal, Poland, Italy, Norway, and Sweden, the practice is tolerated. Germany remains firmly in the prohibition camp in this comparison; according to the responsible transport ministries, no legislative relaxation is currently planned.

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