Should Lane Splitting be legal in all 50 States

DAKEZ · 07-09-2008, 11:58 AM

It gets bantered about and debated in many threads. I was wondering what the ADV-riders feel about it.

Yes it should it be legal.
Yes But ONLY on the Hwy
Yes Only at controlled intersections
No It is reckless and should not be made legal.

What do you think?

NICO · 07-09-2008, 12:10 PM

Yes all the way. I hate sitting in traffic after work.

While were at it, legalize (decriminalize, at least) that other thing that gets bantered about quite often.

DAKEZ · 07-09-2008, 12:13 PM

svs · 07-09-2008, 12:26 PM

It's stupid to ask bikes to operate like cars. That's when they become invisible. Allow bikes to take advantage of their greatest assets: Small size and very maneuverable.

Thank God I live where this is not an issue.

shovelstrokeed · 07-09-2008, 12:34 PM

I've ridden where it is legal and split where it is illegal.

From my perspective, there are very few downsides to lane splitting. California, where it is not illegal (subtle difference), it reduces congestion a small amount, and allows people on motorcycles to make progress when cagers can't. According to CHP, splitting accidents comprise a very, very small percentage of all accidents.

Of course, California has some of the better freeways out there with both wide lanes and plenty of HOV lanes, making the whole thing easier. T'would be a different story in states where there freeways tend to be more narrow in and around cities.

I'm currently in the Philadelphia area and the very thought of splitting somewhere like I-76 when things are congested would be terrifying.

eatpasta · 07-09-2008, 12:50 PM

I cant think of any rider that actually wants to sit in traffic.... well, other than the Harley riders around here in LA - they love sitting in traffic for some reason.

TheBigSteve · 07-09-2008, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shovelstrokeed

According to CHP, splitting accidents comprise a very, very small percentage of all accidents.

Exactly my point. TONS more accidents are caused by cagers with unsecured loads and riders going too fast on curves. The dangers of lanesplitting are completely nullified by the benefits.

mtndragon · 07-10-2008, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svs

It's stupid to ask bikes to operate like cars. That's when they become invisible. Allow bikes to take advantage of their greatest assets: Small size and very maneuverable.

Thank God I live where this is not an issue.

+100

longrider999 · 07-10-2008, 07:22 PM

DAKEZ,i think we otta have our own lane.2 wheelers only.let us split lanes with each other.the 4 wheelers can go play with themselves.

guns_equal_freedom · 07-13-2008, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svs

It's stupid to ask bikes to operate like cars. That's when they become invisible. Allow bikes to take advantage of their greatest assets: Small size and very maneuverable.

Except for the garbage barge BMW's....

mistercindy · 07-18-2008, 06:52 AM

Couple of thoughts. First, I think the biggest opposition to lane splitting in America, whatever people may say about safety, is a combination of jealousy (ie., "I can't do it so why should he!?!") and particularly ignorance. I remember when I lived overseas how I was first exposed to lane splitting. I was driving on a busy city road in Johannesburg. At a stoplight a motorcyclist lane-split by me and it pissed off the ugly-American in me ("How rude!!!"). It didn't take but a day or two to realize that it was customary, perfectly legal, and safe. But try to convince most Americans of that and they will insist otherwise because they just don't know any better.

Lots of comments about it being illegal in America, and a couple of comments about Texas. There is no law in Texas that specifically forbids lane-splitting. Rather, the law simply does not address it. If you lane-split in Texas and get a citation it will not be for lane-splitting. It'll be for some catch-all offense like "unsafe driving." It depends on the officer. If the officer is a motorcyclist then you probably won't get pulled over, or if you do, you'll only get a warning to be safe. I've heard of people going to court over lane-splitting, and if you get a judge who is a motorcyclist you stand a decent chance of being found not guilty. It again goes to American ignorance. While you do risk a citation for lane-splitting in Texas (and most places in the USA), its not because its specifically outlawed. Its because the American culture, including law enforcement, doesn't know any better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NICO

Yes all the way. I hate sitting in traffic after work.

While were at it, legalize (decriminalize, at least) that other thing that gets bantered about quite often.

+420

Allgo · 01-01-2009, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NICO

Yes all the way. I hate sitting in traffic after work.

While were at it, legalize (decriminalize, at least) that other thing that gets bantered about quite often.

There's just something about a million lane splitting stoners that worries me....

DAKEZ · 07-09-2008, 06:23 PM

275 views 66 poll hits??????? What are you all afraid of?

rocker59 · 07-09-2008, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAKEZ

275 views 66 poll hits??????? What are you all afraid of?

I didn't like the choices...

Hatch · 07-18-2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocker59

I didn't like the choices...

+1

Its not something that could ever be 50 state legal everywhere all the time.

the first problem to address is the entire system of licensing, making drivers more educated and qualified. this includes rider education. and tv commercials about watching for cycles and such.
then you gotta consider where its a good place and where its not, which roads, which intersections, etc. and you'd have to make a sign system to inform people where splitting is allowed and where its not. then, maybe, it could work.

but yea, while we're dreaming, lets decriminalize the weed too. im down.

View Results: Should Lane Splitting be legal in all 50 States?
YES it should be made legal	1,341	76.80%
YES but ONLY on the Hwy	83	4.75%
YES but only for filtering at controlled intersections	199	11.40%
NO It is dangerous and should not be made legal	166	9.51%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 1746. You may not vote on this poll

07-09-2008, 11:58 AM	#1
DAKEZ ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2007 Location: U-gene, OR. Oddometer: 17,989	Should Lane Splitting be legal in all 50 States It gets bantered about and debated in many threads. I was wondering what the ADV-riders feel about it. Yes it should it be legal. Yes But ONLY on the Hwy Yes Only at controlled intersections No It is reckless and should not be made legal. What do you think? __________________ "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." — Dr. Seuss “Watch out for everything bigger than you, they have the "right of weight" Bib

07-09-2008, 12:13 PM	#3
DAKEZ ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2007 Location: U-gene, OR. Oddometer: 17,989	420 __________________ "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." — Dr. Seuss “Watch out for everything bigger than you, they have the "right of weight" Bib

07-09-2008, 12:26 PM	#4
svs All Hands on Deck! Joined: Apr 2005 Location: Huntington Beach Oddometer: 20,708	It's stupid to ask bikes to operate like cars. That's when they become invisible. Allow bikes to take advantage of their greatest assets: Small size and very maneuverable. Thank God I live where this is not an issue. __________________ What is this Green Energy we are looking for? *"Self Replicating Carbon Sequestering Bio-Nano Technology"*................TREES are the Answer!

07-09-2008, 12:34 PM	#5
shovelstrokeed Studly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2003 Location: South Florida Oddometer: 811	I've ridden where it is legal and split where it is illegal. From my perspective, there are very few downsides to lane splitting. California, where it is not illegal (subtle difference), it reduces congestion a small amount, and allows people on motorcycles to make progress when cagers can't. According to CHP, splitting accidents comprise a very, very small percentage of all accidents. Of course, California has some of the better freeways out there with both wide lanes and plenty of HOV lanes, making the whole thing easier. T'would be a different story in states where there freeways tend to be more narrow in and around cities. I'm currently in the Philadelphia area and the very thought of splitting somewhere like I-76 when things are congested would be terrifying. __________________ Sometimes you just gotta!

07-09-2008, 12:10 PM	#2
NICO NWGS's pwner!1!!1! Joined: May 2006 Oddometer: 18,683	Yes all the way. I hate sitting in traffic after work. While were at it, legalize (decriminalize, at least) that other thing that gets bantered about quite often.

07-10-2008, 07:22 PM	#9
longrider999 Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2008 Location: new london,wizconzin Oddometer: 1,414	Own Lane DAKEZ,i think we otta have our own lane.2 wheelers only.let us split lanes with each other.the 4 wheelers can go play with themselves. __________________ In every moment of life,youre CREATOR is revealing beauty and love to the heart of Man.-WHITE EAGLE

07-09-2008, 06:23 PM	#13
DAKEZ ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2007 Location: U-gene, OR. Oddometer: 17,989	66 of 275 Wat gives? 275 views 66 poll hits??????? What are you all afraid of? __________________ "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." — Dr. Seuss “Watch out for everything bigger than you, they have the "right of weight" Bib

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