Early this morning a press release from the office of Luke Donnellan, Victoria’s Roads and Safety Minister, confirmed Victoria would implement the same lane filtering model used in NSW, with one major addition.

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 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.”

 

http://www.amcn.com.au/news/1503/victorian-lane-filtering-laws-released/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note the date on this 

You are insane aren't you?

Already ordered mine Allde. They may look a little odd, but it's worth it. Got a temp permit so I can still do it until they arrive - only condition is I have to yell "funded flanker fitting" everytime I split until it arrives

Bloody wrong! I wont be buying any!

Im a qualified mechanic so Ive already made a good copy from some garden hose and a bit of cardboard. Ive also stuck some drinking straws to my elbows so i can stick them out for some extra emergency clearance.

Why didn't I think of that, Bonkerz & taff60.

I had to wait in line for an hour for mine.

My Forward controls are wider than my bars, do I have to get an extra set and attach them down below??????

Is this an April fools joke?

So basically we can now do what most of us have already been doing for years. But only with some gay ass overpriced government issued orange sticks on our bikes. I take far too much pride in my harley to vandalise it with those gay ass sticks. I think ill just take my chances and continue status quo. Risking a fine is better than putting those ugly ass things on. And a certified installer to put them on hahahaha I nearly pissed myself reading that.

Seriously Is it an april fools joke?

Do they come in chrome.

http://www.amcn.com.au/news/1503/victorian-lane-filtering-laws-released/

Hahaha good April fool's catch!

Teh gooD news, is that there are firm plans to introduce filtering by September. Not sure if it will be as a trial period or not. There is a little bit of formalising to be done as to the final details, but it it expected that Vic will follow the NSW arrangements regards the 30km limit etc.
Even butter, no 4f's...........haha!

anything to make more money - I don't mind giving TAC money but fines $445 and 4 demerit points to have those ugly pointers hanging off my handlebars grrr no thanks - maybe cars could stop doing their best to block bikes by driving really close to the lines

Called April Fool's joke just rang TAC there is no such thing

That is gold that someone actually called them...good effort as to whoever thought this up. It was well executed.

I wonder if those feeler guages would work on a left hand drive  grey import Harley

@taff60 Ummm yes of course I did lol ... There was no way I wanted those stupid orange things sticking out on my ride (would clash with the paint) ... Relief of highest proportions that it was a joke only but felt sorry for TAC as they'd been receiving a fair few calls ... Having had TAC help me thru most of last year when I came off my bike they are amazing and personally thought whoever setup the joke is a dick for wasting the time of the people who are needing to channel their energies into us riders who maybe injured ... (Okok soapbox moment over) 

I was foiled in my feeble attempt to fit faggoty filtering feeler fings for free, but fast found that forearms and firearms act as faboulously fair and fashionable facsimiles for these federally funded festoons....or we could just firmly free the finger at the flaccid flakes and floggers who fink fitted flotsam forces forthcoming fortotum to this fatuous farce.

Fuck em, and follow me in my felicitous and fervent felony against this fiendish fiasco!