Push to legalise lane-splitting in America

[onearmedbandit]

Actually I didn't know it was illegal in both Canada and the US. Recently, as stated by the article, 3 motorcyclists were killed and a further 6 injured when a truck driver failed to stop and ran over them. According to the article the practice of lane splitting which is encouraged in most other countries could have saved the riders, yet it is illegal to do so (although what it would have done to the car drivers it doesn't say). They make mention of 'The Hurt Report (1981) which 'is the last and only major statistical analysis of motorcycle accident cause factors' which concluded that lane splitting saves lives and eases congestion.

One of my main reasons for splitting has always been to remove myself from being tail-ended. Even at the front of the intersection I'll constantly scan my mirrors watching approaching vehicles. Getting to the front of the queue is just the cherry on the top. So keep safely splitting guys and girls, the life you save will be your own.

Link to article (short read) (http://jalopnik.com/5502943/the-phoenix-dump-truck-motorcycle-deaths-were-preventable?skyline=true&s=i)

[oldrider]

Bloody good post OMB!

This kind of information needs to be put out into the NZ media in order educate they general public at large ("and" Nick Smith and his AA and ACC puppets) the reasons and safety benefits of filtering.

The general public also need to be re-educated in the fact that "motorcycles" are a legal and legitimate form of transport in this country and should be recognised as such!

Organisations such as the AA have spent a lot of time and energy brainwashing the public at large that motorcycles are dangerous, unwelcome and unnecessary nuisance on our roads!

The challenge is though, how do we get it out there! :brick:

[Ixion]

It varies by State. Specifically legal in California, varies from NZ style not specifically legal but tolerated, to specifically illegal in other states.

Apart from being rear ended, the other danger in pretending to be a little car and sitting in the traffic is that idiots will see a gap with no car in it, and decide to swap lanes into said gap. Once they realise a motorcycle is in that gapo, they're committed and don't care.

[Cayman911]

We do also need Lanes and roads as wide as those in america.

but i do agree. needs to be legalised

[CookMySock]

needs to be legalisedI think this a slippery slope.

On one hand, we could have it affirmed to us that splitting and filtering was fully legalso we could relax and go for it, but on the other hand we could have it outlawed completely.

What is the point in clarifying it? Simply so we can feel better about it? We have much to lose if it backfires, and the only benefit if we win it, is the insecure get to relax.

I don't like it. I say we shut the fuck up, carry on, and keep our nose clean. It is the case of the question that cannot be asked again if you get the wrong answer.


Steve

[bogan]

I think this a slippery slope.

On one hand, we could have it affirmed to us that splitting and filtering was fully legalso we could relax and go for it, but on the other hand we could have it outlawed completely.

What is the point in clarifying it? Simply so we can feel better about it? We have much to lose if it backfires, and the only benefit if we win it, is the insecure get to relax.

I don't like it. I say we shut the fuck up, carry on, and keep our nose clean. It is the case of the question that cannot be asked again if you get the wrong answer.


Steve

I disagree, yeh it doesn't change much for those already splitting, but once its legal, more will split, more may even ride cos they can then split, cagers wont get so pissy at us doing it, maybe even become more aware and courteous to splitters. The majority of cagers don't realize its not illegal to split, so get angry bout it (the ones I've talked to anyway). I think now is a good time to be asking too, bikers are already pissed about the ACC levies, if they ban splitting as well rage may just overcome apathy and we could turn out in great number to protest both!

[Ronin]

I think this a slippery slope.

On one hand, we could have it affirmed to us that splitting and filtering was fully legalso we could relax and go for it, but on the other hand we could have it outlawed completely.

What is the point in clarifying it? Simply so we can feel better about it? We have much to lose if it backfires, and the only benefit if we win it, is the insecure get to relax.

I don't like it. I say we shut the fuck up, carry on, and keep our nose clean. It is the case of the question that cannot be asked again if you get the wrong answer.


Steve
I would have thought that someone with such a dim view of the Police would prefer that they be told that what you are doing is legal and to leave you alone.

[onearmedbandit]

Steve, giving it legal status would mean more motorcyclists taking advantage of it, and therefore a reduction in accidents (this has been proven in California). Also it would give the polic powers to charge drivers who purposefully 'close the gap'. So no, it's not only the 'insecure' benefiting. I understand what you are saying about 'not asking the question', but with all the evidence on hand (and the current attitude most of the police have about it) I would think that it would not backfire.

[p.dath]

Very interesting. Would like to know what the actual legal rules are for lane splitting.

[pzkpfw]

Very interesting. Would like to know what the actual legal rules are for lane splitting.

You are allowed to pass someone, in their lane, if you do it on their right side, and stay within the lane.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/10838-The-law-and-Lane-Splitting-Filtering



So if they specifically outlaw lane-splitting, they'd have to be careful with the wording or it'd become illegal for cars to pass bicycles...

[CookMySock]

it doesn't change much for those already splitting, but once its legal, more will split, more may even ride cos they can then split, cagers wont get so pissy at us doing it, maybe even become more aware and courteous to splitters. The majority of cagers don't realize its not illegal to split, so get angry bout it (the ones I've talked to anyway). I think now is a good time to be asking too, bikers are already pissed about the ACC levies, if they ban splitting as well rage may just overcome apathy and we could turn out in great number to protest both!Everything you typed is about how you feel. Think about it.

You are all assuming it goes your way. What if it does not? Then what will you do and how will you feel? You have only the status quo to gain and lots to lose.

The law already makes it perfectly clear it is legal to pass stationary traffic on the left, and moving traffic on the right, provided there is room and it is safe, and you don't cross a no-passing line or use a median strip, or pass across an intersection or a pedestrian crossing.

There will also be far more law-writers that want to ban it than allow it, simply on emotive and political terms. You can offer all the logic you like, but you and I both know logic doesn't mean jack shit to them.

Be it on your head. I still don't like it.

Steve

[bogan]

Everything you typed is about how you feel. Think about it.

You are all assuming it goes your way. What if it does not? Then what will you do and how will you feel? You have only the status quo to gain and lots to lose.

The law already makes it perfectly clear it is legal to pass stationary traffic on the left, and moving traffic on the right, provided there is room and it is safe, and you don't cross a no-passing line or use a median strip, or pass across an intersection or a pedestrian crossing.

There will also be far more law-writers that want to ban it than allow it, simply on emotive and political terms. You can offer all the logic you like, but you and I both know logic doesn't mean jack shit to them.

Be it on your head. I still don't like it.

Steve

anything anyone types is how they feel! think about it ;)

And no, see second part, I realise it might not go my way. But I highly doubt asking the question will cause them to make it illegal, they seem to be well aware of lane splitters, if they wanted to make it illegal they would do so, probly in the road to 20safety or whatever that BS is called if you look hard enough anyway.

[Max Preload]

One of my main reasons for splitting has always been to remove myself from being tail-ended.

That was always my philosophy too - it's impossible for two stationary vehicles to sideswipe each other and even when they're moving they cant get that much speed toward each other - certainly nothing like the speed involved in a nose to tail with you as the meat in that sandwich.

[imdying]

The only reason it's legal in California is because Harleys (including Californian Highway Patrol bikes) were overheating in traffic.

[onearmedbandit]

The only reason it's legal in California is because Harleys (including Californian Highway Patrol bikes) were overheating in traffic.

Now that wouldn't surprise me.

[Squiggles]

We have much to lose if it backfires

and we havent exactly been "winning" any battles lately

[Swoop]

The only reason it's legal in California is because Harleys (including Californian Highway Patrol bikes) were overheating in traffic.
I would have thought that Texas and Arizona would have similar laws, since the climate is at least as hot there.

[imdying]

I would have thought that Texas and Arizona would have similar laws, since the climate is at least as hot there.I guess the slow traffic is a population density thing... the I5 can have 12 lanes of stationary traffic at times. You'd have to ask on a Yank forum, as that's where I picked up that bit of info.

[Swoop]

I guess the slow traffic is a population density thing...
*chortle* When I was in Arizona, some of the population could easily be described as dense!:rofl:

Some bloody good folks out there as well though.

[p.dath]

You are allowed to pass someone, in their lane, if you do it on their right side, and stay within the lane.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/10838-The-law-and-Lane-Splitting-Filtering



So if they specifically outlaw lane-splitting, they'd have to be careful with the wording or it'd become illegal for cars to pass bicycles...

No, I meant what does the German law permit or say.

[Ronin]

No, I meant what does the German law permit or say.

NEIN!!! NEIN!!!

Or somesuch

[imdying]

*chortle* When I was in Arizona, some of the population could easily be described as dense!:rofl:Arizona ain't shit... Six times the population of Arizona in California, and Phoenix is tiny compared to LA.

[Elysium]

I only lane split if the traffic moves too slow for my bikes engine to coast in first gear. My left hand can quickly lose feeling if I keep engagng the clutch continuesly to prevent an engine stalll.

[Fatjim]

Well I for one wouldn't be here if I didn't lane split.

[schrodingers cat]

I for one didn't buy a bike to sit in a queue waiting for some idiot to rear end me.

Are you seriously proposing to air this issue in the public forum? By the time the media 'filter' and misunderconstumble the story we'll all be on the bus if there is a law change...

[MIXONE]

Well I for one wouldn't be here if I didn't lane split.

Might as well drive to work!

[CookMySock]

I only lane split if the traffic moves too slow for my bikes engine to coast in first gear.I only lane split when I feel like toasting the car in front of me. :bye::finger:

Steve

[MIXONE]

I only lane split when I feel like toasting the car in front of me. :bye:

Steve

A bit of difference between the three cars you see daily and the multitudes we ride through in the morning commute.

[onearmedbandit]

Are you seriously proposing to air this issue in the public forum? By the time the media 'filter' and misunderconstumble the story we'll all be on the bus if there is a law change...

Not too sure who your post is for, but I'll assume me seeing as I created the thread. All I wanted to do was highlight the importance of lane splitting, never been my intention to 'air this issue in the public forum'. Any legal reference is solely related to what's happening in America.

[CookMySock]

A bit of difference between the three cars you see daily and the multitudes we ride through in the morning commute.Yes, a bit, obviously worth mentioning here.. (no sarcasm smiley) Exaggeration and superior overtone ignored.

Steve

[Okey Dokey]

I learned to ride motorcycles back in Orange County, California. Motorcycles always filtered (that was the expression used rather than lane-splitting) up to the front when traffic was stopped. I did it as a matter of course, too. Motorists NEVER seemed to mind; they didn't seem to care it all- it was just what bikes did. I wish we could import that attitude here. Some of the things I've read on KB about cars trying to squish bikes in the big cities here make my blood run cold.

[wysper]

Well I for one wouldn't be here if I didn't lane split.

you mean you would be stuck in traffic rather than stuck on kiwibiker?

[Spearfish]

It varies by State. Specifically legal in California, varies from NZ style not specifically legal but tolerated, to specifically illegal in other states.

Apart from being rear ended, the other danger in pretending to be a little car and sitting in the traffic is that idiots will see a gap with no car in it, and decide to swap lanes into said gap. Once they realise a motorcycle is in that gapo, they're committed and don't care.

Your assuming they have enough brain cells left after doing something other a primary function to "realise",well, anything!

Being buggered by those with 4 wheels is something that has no real alternative other than not being there in the first place.
Filtering is an art tho and needs to be properly legalised with some expectations made of us and those being filtered past, in regards of behaviour. (not that its normal to have problems tho)
If it was made almost routine then I'm sure those in cages on the edge of joining the biking fleet will jump over.

[MIXONE]

Yes, a bit, obviously worth mentioning here.. (no sarcasm smiley) Exaggeration and superior overtone ignored.

Steve

No exaggeration at all.On a normal day I split between 800+ cars.And of course I'm superior.

[robertvi]

:baby: Noob question: how do you know that the lights won't change (there's no amber before green in this fine country, unlike wot they 'as in Bligh'y) after you start filtering before you get to the front, whereby you'd be stuck next to a solid line of cars trying to merge in again as they pull away. Or would you just merge in again? Having already experienced the response of a local hoon who thinks I'm holding him up (already 10ks over the speed limit actually :innocent:), I would rather avoid this.

It also seems to motivate you to take off fast when the lights change, risking a collision with any vehicle running a red light. :shit:

[scracha]

:baby: Noob question: how do you know that the lights won't change (there's no amber before green in this fine country, unlike wot they 'as in Bligh'y) after you start filtering before you get to the front, whereby you'd be stuck next to a solid line of cars trying to merge in again as they pull away. Or would you just merge in again? Having already experienced the response of a local hoon who thinks I'm holding him up (already 10ks over the speed limit actually :innocent:), I would rather avoid this.

Just find a gap on the left between the cars and plonk your bike in front of it. Otherwise gas it hard and fuck off ahead of the cars.




It also seems to motivate you to take off fast when the lights change, risking a collision with any vehicle running a red light. :shit:

You should always be looking for red light runners anyhoo.

[Paul in NZ]

I think they call it 'filtering' over there.

I did read about 1 state that had laws along the lines of trying to make filtering safer by specifing it was only legal if traffic frow was below a certain speed and the filtering bikes were not allowed to travel at a speed of X plus speed of the traffic.

Seemed hard to police but a sensible compromise...