Lane Sharing

[OrangevaleFJR]

I ventured into Nevada a little until I realized I couldn't lane share and I pulled a U back to California (on a short fun ride). Are there other lane share States other than CA?

We need a worldwide lobby to implement lane sharing!

Safer, faster, less wear and tear, less commute time, less polution...heck it's awesome!

Safer? Ever been rear ended while lane sharing? Me either! Cops in CA promote it!

Related article

Safety related article

 

[twowheelnut]

Nope. We're the only ones. However, I recall that Texas and Washington were looking into it as your link confirms. And one state in the south approved the practice for emergency vehicles, IIRC. I'm not sure if this is on the AMA's lobby agenda, but you may want to email them and find out...

 

[afterburn]

It is legal in most European countries, thank God. I agree with ya, I would never ever sit at the back of a traffic jam on my bike. In a car you may hurt your neck, on a bike it can be lethal.

 

[BobbyBlue]

I'm in Texas and I do it anyway at long lights, so far so good but I'm definately taking a chance that bubba is gonna throw open a door or whack me with a mirror. I'm more concerned with this than da fuzz. Bubba dont like Neeenja bikes even blue and silver ones. B)

BB

 

[zorkler]

90 percent of the riders / bikers do it in new york ( city limits ) . i myself will lane split if the traffic is moving under 20 m.p.h.

 

[teerex51]

It is legal in most European countries

or simply tolerated, which is still OK with us bike folks B) .

The problem is what BobbyBlue said earlier, i.e. Bubba (or Tommaso, Dirk or Heinrich) opening the frigging cage door and bowling you over or suddenly swerving because they dropped their cell.

It's not so much hatred or contempt as careless driving pure and simple.

Stef

 

[leebunyard]

I lane split ONLY if traffic is heavily backed up/completely stopped. Over the years, I've had three buddies who clipped vehicles while lane splitting and went down on the roadway. Fortunately none of them were seriously injured, one broke his arm and had serious bike damage. I think it's dangerous to do unless traffic is moving VERY slowly. In California, CHP will tag you if you lane split when vehicular traffic is moving more than 20 mph. A crotch rocket rider who was lane splitting returning home via Hiway 80 from the Infineon Raceway Superbike races at the end of May clipped a vehicle and did significant damage to his bike, while resulting in traffic backups that stretched for more than 5 miles. Talk about pissing people off, I was ready to give him the finger myself when I finally rode by (yes, I was lane splitting myself).

I think it's great in appropriate circumstances but requires judicious use.

Lee in the Mountains of Northern California B)

 

[exskibum]

I lane split ONLY if traffic is heavily backed up/completely stopped.

Same here.

I think Calif. is the only one to allow lane splitting. Since I live within about 5 miles of the Nevada border, and am moving over there this summer, I am always cognizant of which state I'm in for that purpose. I'll head east on 50, splitting stopped cars at lights, until I hit Stateline at the casinos. From there on, I sit behind traffic at red lights.

 

[FJRocha]

Lane splitting is allowed in all 48 continental states... unless you get cought... in which case it is only allowed in the People's Republik of Kalifornikate.

However, in case of need, I would rather ride the "bike" lane or the median (heck, I would even ride on the shoulder despite of the nails and bolts commonly found there) than filter through cagers. They have the diabolic tendency to change lanes without warning; or they would move over at the last minute just to block you from passing through. :angry03:

 

[twowheelnut]

Lane splitting is allowed in all 48 continental states... unless you get cought... in which case it is only allowed in the People's Republik of Kaliforikate.
However, in case of need, I would rather ride the "bike" lane or the median (heck, I would even ride on the shoulder despite of the nails and bolts commonly found there) than filter through cagers. They have the diabolic tendency to change lanes without warning; or they would move over at the last minute just to block you from passing through.  :angry03:

Once you get used to sharing, you become VERY aware of the cages potential movements. Watch their mirrors for eye movement, watch their left hands going for the turn stalk (IF the friggin' bother to use them!), watch the top of the steering wheel or front tire for movements, watch for rapid head movement, etc.

It all becomes quite natural and WAY less an unnerving experience than sitting in line waiting for the cage to ram you from behind, IMO.

Biggest problem I have is P/U & SUV mirrors. I've clipped a couple over the years with my shoulders - I hate having to slow and apologize!

 

[BobbyBlue]

I have noticed I'm alot more careful with the feej than my other bikes due to the bags which I leave on 90% of the time. "Do these bags make my ass look phat?"

Bobby

 

[throttlejockeyTJ]

WA is working on it. They want to make it less judgemental for LEO than CA law. Australia also allows it. TJ

 

[moby one]

"Do these bags make my ass look phat?" Bobby

It's funny that you say that. When my wife was following me home from the dealer on my maiden voyage she said that from behind the bags look like i have gigantic legs stuffed in MC Hammer pants

mo

 

[BobbyBlue]

Damn Mo...on yer 69th post too....I'm privaledged and wet big guy !!!!

Bobby

 

[moby one]

That's a pic from my fishing trip to Alaska with the fellas. And i now see that you are way past 69 bobbyblue

 

[BobbyBlue]

Aw crap MO, I need glasses man...thats a fish yer holdin'...

Seriously, I'd like to see the one that got away! Good times Im sure !!

Bobby

 

[Bounce]

Tx had it on the docket for this year but it didn't pass. Since legislators only meet every other year, it'll be a while before it comes back around. In the mean time we have the "developed shoulder" rule that says you can move to a developed shoulder (right) to go around stalled traffic or slower traffic should move to the developed shoulder to allow other traffic to pass.

Do it cautiously and with the intent to take the next exit instead of leap frogging traffic jams and you should be okay most of the time.

 

[Woodstock]

Did someone mention Washington having this on the docket? Who do I need to pay off?

 

[twowheelnut]

Did someone mention Washington having this on the docket?  Who do I need to pay off? 

Coublowjobgh!

Seriously, has the AMA been involved on this issue in your state?