New South Wales motorcyclists will be the first in the country to be legally allowed to lane filter, driving between cars caught in traffic on multi-lane roads.

The practice, also known as lane splitting, is common elsewhere in the world but Australian riders can currently be penalised by police.

NSW Transport Minister Duncan Gay says the shift is part of a package of changes to ease road congestion and improve motorcycle safety.

"We held a successful trial in Sydney CBD last year of motorcyclists being exempt from existing lane filtering laws in an attempt to ease road congestion and measure potential safety issues for other road users," he said.

"As a result of the trial we will introduce a new law that will permit fully licensed motorcyclists to legally filter past stationary vehicles at intersections when it is safe to do so.

"Riders will be able to filter at a speed limit of 30 kilometres per hour. It is important to note the new law will not apply to school zones during hours of operation where there might be an increase in pedestrian activity."

Motorcyclists will still be banned from filtering around trucks and buses, from travelling left of cars in the kerbside lane and from travelling in breakdown lanes.

A new offence will be created for riders who lane filter at speeds over 30kph.

"Filtering at high speeds is dangerous and will increase the crash risk for motorcycle riders and other roads users, particularly cyclists and pedestrians," Mr Gay said.

"The new rule changes will give us the opportunity to communicate with riders so they better understand the risks involved with lane filtering and educate them on safe filtering practice."

Christopher Burns from the Motorcycle Council of NSW says riders are doing motorists a favour by lane filtering because it reduces traffic congestion.

"Duncan Gay... should be applauded for this commonsense move," he said.

"The benefits of lane filtering have been internationally recognised as a solution to traffic congestion in built-up areas."

Motorcyclists argue lane filtering is also safer for riders because it reduces the chances of them being rear-ended.