Lane-Splitting Is An Acquired Skill
February 14, 2013 by mac
Some automobile drivers see motorcyclists as obnoxious and borderline cheaters as they cut and weave through slow freeway traffic to get ahead of others.
The practice is called
lane-splitting and only in California has it always been legal, however, state authorities have never told motorcyclists how best to maneuver between heavy and slow moving traffic safely.
Until now… you can read the complete lane-splitting regulations HERE. The new rules, which the CHP introduced in January after consulting with other state agencies and motorcycle-rider groups, apply to city streets, highways and freeways across the state.
I wonder if we’ll be seeing intermediate and advance lane-splitting courses in the future?
I’ve blogged previously about the possibility of lane splitting in Oregon HERE.
Photo courtesy of Noah Berger.
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Posted in Fatalities, Harley, Legal, Legislation, Life Lessons, Motorcycle, Politics, Safety, Safety-Conscious, Transportation, Travel | Tagged Accidents, Collision, congestion, Dangerous, Governor's Advisory Committee, H-D, Harley, Harry Hurt, HD, Hurt Report, lane, Lane-Splitting, maneuver, Motorcycle, Multnomah County, Oregon, Safety, strip-riding, Traffic | 2 Comments
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Some automobile drivers see motorcyclists as obnoxious and borderline cheaters as they cut and weave through slow freeway traffic to get ahead of others.
You are not quite right when you say “…. and only in California has it always been legal,”
I have read a lot of posts / tweets / comments about lane splitting recently and I really don’t see what the fuss is all about. Most of the world allows lane splitting and everyone does just fine with it. I live in Europe and in large cities, it is almost a necessity. Outside of the USA most of us, both bikers and car drivers are quite happy with lane splitting and most bikers do it every time they ride.
Most of the people who say lane splitting is dangerous ride in the US in states where it is not allowed and therefore they have little experience of it. Unless people ride like a complete idiot, lane splitting is safe and saves a great deal of time. Sure, there is no point in lane splitting where there is little traffic, but for most of us, that isn’t the case.
I guarantee that the people that say it is unsafe would soon be lane splitting if they actually gave it a try in countries where it is legal and there is a lot on congestion. I am certain of that!
@ Gary – thx for the comment. My reference was in the U.S., but I could have made that more clear.