MOTORCYCLISTS will be allowed to zip around stationary vehicles in parts of the Sydney CBD under a trial announced by the NSW government.

The three-month trial to begin on February 1 next year will test if motorbike lane filtering improves traffic flow, Roads Minister Duncan Gay said on Thursday.

Lane filtering will be confined to the areas bordered by Sussex and Market Streets, St James Road, Macquarie and Alfred Streets and Hickson Road.

"Lane filtering is currently against the law, however there will be an exemption for motorcyclists in this part of the CBD which will permit them to filter through traffic when vehicles are stopped at traffic lights," Mr Gay said in a statement.

"This trial is not about favouring one road user group over another, it is a system which could benefit all motorists in the CBD.

"It needs to be tested to ensure it improves traffic flow while not jeopardising road safety."

Originally published as Motorbike lane filter trial for Sydney