Push to legalise lane-splitting in America

**onearmedbandit** · 5th May 2010, 09:24

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)

**oldrider** · 5th May 2010, 10:12

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!

**Ixion** · 5th May 2010, 10:12

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** · 5th May 2010, 10:18

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

but i do agree. needs to be legalised

**CookMySock** · 5th May 2010, 10:46

Originally Posted by Cayman911

needs to be legalised

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

**bogan** · 5th May 2010, 10:51

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

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** · 5th May 2010, 11:00

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

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** · 5th May 2010, 11:07

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** · 5th May 2010, 11:11

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

**pzkpfw** · 5th May 2010, 12:31

Originally Posted by p.dath

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/sh...ting-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** · 5th May 2010, 12:33

Originally Posted by bogan

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** · 5th May 2010, 12:49

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

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** · 5th May 2010, 12:51

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

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.