CA motorcycle lane splitting laws

[pmax]

"This bill would define 'lane splitting' as driving a motorcycle, that has 2 wheels in contact with the ground, between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane, as specified,"
...

The study found that of the 5,969 motorcycle accidents in California recorded by law enforcement during that period, 997 involved lane-splitting – or 17 percent.

California Governor Signs Bill to Make Lane-Splitting by Motorcyclists Legal | NBC 7 San Diego

[jwasbury]

Not a resident of CA, but have studied lane splitting as I would like it to be legalized here in NJ (likely will never happen). I understand that the CHP issued guidelines for safe lane splitting and had to pull it back because as lane splitting wasn't technically legal or defined by law, police were then technically unable to issue regulation about it.

[wdfifteen]

There ought to be a speed limit on it.

[ossiblue]

Originally Posted by jwasbury

Not a resident of CA, but have studied lane splitting as I would like it to be legalized here in NJ (likely will never happen). I understand that the CHP issued guidelines for safe lane splitting and had to pull it back because as lane splitting wasn't technically legal or defined by law, police were then technically unable to issue regulation about it.

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

There ought to be a speed limit on it.

Yes, to both posts.

The law allows the legal establishment of guidelines. The former CHP guidelines included recommended speed limits, but no definitive ones. Being guidelines, I suppose speed limits will be imposed by what an officer deems safe and responsible at the time.

[Brando]

A law to make it legal? Where do we live, Europe?!

It's already legal. Speed limit is "as road conditions permit". Meaning, use yer damn brain and ride safe.

[Scott Douglas]

I think the reco'd speed limit was not faster than 15 mph over what traffic was flowing.

[JavaBrewer]

I am a big fan of lane sharing. That said I have been driving (cage) and seen guys fly past at 50+mph while the lanes were stopped. I would, if I were a moto Cop, ticket them for reckless driving.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by Brando

A law to make it legal? Where do we live, Europe?!

It's already legal. Speed limit is "as road conditions permit". Meaning, use yer damn brain and ride safe.

No kidding. It's always been allowed, because it was never specifically illegal. Now they think they need a law to make it specifically legal???

I remember an old adage about the difference between Russia and the U.S.:

In America, if it's not specifically illegal, it's legal.

In Russia, if it's not specifically legal, it's illegal.

Actually, I guess, in light of that - this makes perfect sense for California.

[jwasbury]

Originally Posted by Brando

A law to make it legal? Where do we live, Europe?!

It's already legal. Speed limit is "as road conditions permit". Meaning, use yer damn brain and ride safe.

Lane splitting up until now wasn't addressed in any laws. It was neither specifically prohibited or specifically permitted. The practice has been allowed in Cali.

I lane split in NY NJ at times. If you are busted, the violation is "improper passing" or "reckless driving" as there is no specific statute regarding lane sharing.

[Tobra]

If you drive/ride in a safe and reasonable manner, you will never have a conversation on the side of the road with a guy wearing a badge on his chest and flat brim hat.

If the scoot pilot is smart, it is safer to filter jammed up spots. If they aren't, well maybe they will be lucky.

Speed differential is the key. If the car is going 5 mph and the bike 50, very bad things could ensue, Incredibly, nobody injured

Thread about bike hitting me