'lane-free' originates from a modern English compound of the words 'lane' and 'free', where 'lane' meant 'a narrow way or track' and 'free' meant 'not bound or possessing'.

'free' comes from Old English 'frēo' (Middle English 'fre'), ultimately from Proto-Germanic; 'lane' comes from Old English 'lanu'/'lane' meaning a narrow way; the compound 'lane-free' is a recent formation in modern English formed by joining these two elements.

Initially the components meant 'a narrow way' ('lane') and 'not bound' ('free'); combined, they developed the clear modern sense 'without lanes' or 'not marked into lanes'.