A lot of Montanans are what I like to call Norwegian Nice. Very nice, polite people. But if you aren't polite, or you try to cut in line- no more Mr. Norwegian Nice guy.

Have you ever been pulled up to a stoplight and all of a sudden a motorcycle cuts right in between you and another car in another lane of traffic? I imagine this can probably get some Montanans pretty fired up and irritated. Why did that guy just cut in line, and right in between traffic like that? But this is not only legal in Montana, apparently it is safer as well.

The question came up on the Billings Reckless Drivers Facebook page.

Why do you motorcyclists drive though cars just to get in front at a light? I feel like that could be so dangerous and the ones today who got infront of me I’m glad no one needed the walking path you decided to block. Just to be infront of me.

Here was one of the first responses to that question that popped up:

Chill Tammy it’s called lane splitting

Several of the other commenters also noted how lane splitting is used so that the motorcycles are more visible to other traffic, and also so that they don't get rear ended while at the tail end of traffic sitting at a stoplight.

Some people call it "lane splitting." Here in Montana it is officially known as "lane filtering." According to Grok, "Yes, lane splitting is legal in Montana, but it is specifically referred to as lane filtering and is subject to certain restrictions. As of October 1, 2021, Montana became the third U.S. state to legalize lane filtering for motorcycles under Senate Bill 9." 

Here's the specific section of Montana law which covers lane filtering: