At what point does filtering become lane splitting?
"filtering" as colloquially understood is proceeding between two lanes of occupied traffic which is either stopped or at slow speed.
"lane splitting" is understood to be at slowish to regular moving speed.
I would argue "lane splitting" would begin when traffic exceeds 20 kph IMO. However for the sake of simplicity and due to the controversy it causes in this forum and Ontario, go with the simpler definition. If traffic is moving around you, you're splitting. We need to play with semantics here to intiate this awareness campaign. Shun the word splitting and promote the new and improved "filtering"
I would also argue "filtering" in moving traffic (cars moving to the left) is actually illegal, as this contravenes HTA passing rules. The passing lane must be clear of oncoming or overtaking traffic. So unless you filter past moving cars exclussively in the right lane, which reduces the amount of "safe" distance, you really are splitting hairs.
However if you see a car turned out to the right, or parked in the right lane, and you filter past, either a stopped or slow moving car (yourself in the right lane with enough room), then this is legal. The legal line comes when you cross into the left or oncoming lane to make a pass, and it is NOT clear of overtaking or oncoming traffic.
I repeat, it is stated in the HTA, unless the car in the left lane is signalling left, or is not moving, you cannot share a lane with a vehicle to your left!
So an instance where a full on moving filter would be legal is the following:
2 lanes in one direction. Car in right is slow moving, or indicating a right hand turn. Car in left, is moving slowing but signalling to make a left turn. You are NOT within 30 m of a pedestrian crossing!!!!
In this case it would be within the law to "filter" past these 2 moving vehicles to either side....IF there is sufficient room and the action is "safe"....which is of course subjective.
If however the 2 cars are stopped, then you can "filter" past them both even within 30m of a pedestrian crossing.
There are some subtle nuances to legal "filtering" in Ontario.