OR WA Lane Sharing Legistlation

[eg23232]

Washington's bill is out of committee and on to the floor for second reading.

Oregon's bill has been changed to allow sharing only when traffic is slower than 10mph. It also does NOT allow filtering at stop lights (applies only to highways) and only applies to two-wheeled vehicles.

Keep contacting your legislators. We can't lose steam on these.

 

[bgross]

And there's an unscientific online poll with a marginally appropriate picture at Seattle PI on this very legislative question for those that might want to participate.

Vote cast, thanks for the link.

Other than the silly photo, the only problem with the article that I see is the fact that it mentions that only California allows it. While true as far as it goes, it might have helped if they'd said something like "allowed in California - and the rest of the world".

We Californians are sometimes thought of as "a bad example". Maybe mentioning the rest of the world would offer a bit of perspective.

 

[SeattleTy]

As a motorcyclist, I am all for it. I believe that just like anything else in life, it is up to the individual on how they treat the laws and regulations. Just like driving a car, it can be used foolishly and dangerously when in the wrong hands. Therefore at the end of the day, I do believe that it will do more good than bad. I hope they pass this bill

 

[eg23232]

Okay Washington, we need another push on the lane sharing bill. If it doesn't get a hearing in House Transportation by April 7, then it's basically dead. Email or phone or both your representatives.

https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/5623

 

[Niehart]

Okay Washington, we need another push on the lane sharing bill. If it doesn't get a hearing in House Transportation by April 7, then it's basically dead. Email or phone or both your representatives.
https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/5623

Will do. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[SeattleTy]

I just got done filling the form out below to help with pass this bill.

Click on the link below to help keep motorcyclist safe.

Your support is needed to pass this bill.

https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/5623

 

[Niehart]

I just got done filling the form out below to help with pass this bill.
Click on the link below to help keep motorcyclist safe.

Your support is needed to pass this bill.

https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/5623

LIKE

 

[Dagwood]

Form completed

 

[eg23232]

Oregon riders, there is a hearing scheduled for your lane sharing bill, SB 694, for this Thursday 8:00AM, Oregon State Capitol Hearing Room 50. If you can't attend, here's another opportunity to call/email your senator.

https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Measures/Overview/SB694

 

[Harald]

Reminder sent. I sure would like to see this passed.

 

[twisted]

An amendment to the Oregon law:

----------------

Proposed (-1) amendment clarifies the language regarding lanes and direction of travel. In addition, the amendment limits the authority to pass vehicles during traffic jams and slowdowns to public highways that have a designated speed limit of 50 mph or higher.

----------------

So, where there is the most stop and go traffic (in town) it would still be illegal. And, ODOT has written to the committee as opposed to this.

I would still bet it won't make it into law in any form.

 

[motoxr124]

I sat in on a town hall last week with Oregon Senator Kruse in Sutherlin. No offense to anybody but there was a lot of blue hair there. My buddy and I were the only motorcyclists there. Everybody else was really honed in on the gun control bill and marijuana. I really hope there was a better showing of riders for the other two sites Kruse was to visit. Anyway, the committee chairman likes the bill. Kruse feels hopeful and believes it will leave the committee positively.

 

[Auburn]

I just got done filling the form out below to help with pass this bill.
Click on the link below to help keep motorcyclist safe.

Your support is needed to pass this bill.

https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/5623

LIKE

Done

 

[SacramentoMike]

An amendment to the Oregon law:----------------

Proposed (-1) amendment clarifies the language regarding lanes and direction of travel. In addition, the amendment limits the authority to pass vehicles during traffic jams and slowdowns to public highways that have a designated speed limit of 50 mph or higher.

----------------

So, where there is the most stop and go traffic (in town) it would still be illegal. And, ODOT has written to the committee as opposed to this.

. . ."

Another time when we need a "dislike" button here. Really agree with Twisted's comment that follows the quote from the amendment. Terrible idea to pick and choose which parts of lane splitting they'd OK and which they'd forbid, IMO. Are they saying it's less safe to split lanes at slower speeds, or what? I swear, legislators just can't see a bill without wanting to do something--anything--to "improve" it.

And by the way, the proposed change to the same issue in California law that I recently posted about is going to its first hearing at the Assembly Transportation Committee next week. Monday, I think. I'll post in that thread what happens.

 

[Auburn]

I just got done filling the form out below to help with pass this bill.
Click on the link below to help keep motorcyclist safe.

Your support is needed to pass this bill.

https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/5623

LIKE

Done

I got a response from Senator Pam Roach's office this morning. She voted for this bill. The bill is currently in the House committee for transportation. Hopefully it will make it out there and to the floor for a vote.

That has to be the fastest response I have ever received from any of my representatives.

 

[eg23232]

I sat in on a town hall last week with Oregon Senator Kruse in Sutherlin. No offense to anybody but there was a lot of blue hair there. My buddy and I were the only motorcyclists there. Everybody else was really honed in on the gun control bill and marijuana. I really hope there was a better showing of riders for the other two sites Kruse was to visit. Anyway, the committee chairman likes the bill. Kruse feels hopeful and believes it will leave the committee positively.

Thanks for taking the time to go.

 

[eg23232]

An amendment to the Oregon law:----------------

Proposed (-1) amendment clarifies the language regarding lanes and direction of travel. In addition, the amendment limits the authority to pass vehicles during traffic jams and slowdowns to public highways that have a designated speed limit of 50 mph or higher.

----------------

So, where there is the most stop and go traffic (in town) it would still be illegal. And, ODOT has written to the committee as opposed to this.

I would still bet it won't make it into law in any form.

Anything that can get passed is a foot in the door for future changes. I would much rather see a limited lane sharing bill pass than none at all. That said, I think motorcyclists have been too focused on pushing the safety issue and not the traffic congestion issue. Decreased commute times for riders and drivers, less pollution, less impact on roads are all things lawmakers want to hear. I really think they could care less about our safety and I think they (along with the majority of motorists) consider lane-filtering unfair.

 

[SeattleTy]

I just got done filling the form out below to help with pass this bill.
Click on the link below to help keep motorcyclist safe.

Your support is needed to pass this bill.

https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/5623

LIKE

Done

I got a response from Senator Pam Roach's office this morning. She voted for this bill. The bill is currently in the House committee for transportation. Hopefully it will make it out there and to the floor for a vote.

That has to be the fastest response I have ever received from any of my representatives.

That is fantastic news, great job on the email AuburnFJR to get the immediate responds. I think we are getting some traction. Hopefully we can get more to join in the process to protect motorcycle safety and reduce traffic congestion.

 

[eg23232]

Good to see Oregon's bill still moving. Unfortunately, Washington's bill is dead.

 

[SeattleTy]