I think it's just california.

 

*edit* talking out my ass

 

lane splitting

i know that in NJ and CA its legal.

Check out this website, it tells you the laws for each state.
http://home.ama-cycle.org/amaccess/laws/result.asp?state=nj

 

Is lanesplitting safe? According to a study done in southern California in 1996, it is. Read the SFgate article at http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2000/10/30/MN87097.DTL

How do I lane-split safely? When traffic is stopped or moving slower than ~20 MPH, you can split between lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. Keep your speed no faster than 15 MPH over what the traffic is doing. Watch out for holes to either side of you because holes attract lane changes.

checdk out laneshare.org it is an activist group to legalize it

 

None, in actuality. In Cali they don't have a specifc law that states you can't lane split...so everyone just assumes you can.

No there is a pamphlet that is issued by the CHP and distributed by the DMV that talk about lane splitting. They gave me one when I got my endorsement.

The rules are simple. No faster than 45 MPH and no faster than 10 MPH over the average speed of the stopped/barely moving traffic. (this is not verbatim)

It mentions a few other things that I have forgotten but one thing I do remember.....if you get in an accident while lane splitting it will most like be deemed as your fault. I didn't like that at all!!! That means if an idiot doesn't look over his/her shoulder and/or doesn't signal before lane changing and you nail the idiot...it's your fault!!!!????

 

CA, but das it. Texas almost got there, but the language didn't work for em in the bill.

Here's the drama.

 

None, in actuality. In Cali they don't have a specifc law that states you can't lane split...so everyone just assumes you can.

WoodK is right. I grew up in SoCal, and rode there for years before I moved to the east coast.

Now... do you know why it's legal in CA??? (trivia)

During the 84 olimpics the CHP burnt up a bunch of the air cooled Kawi 1000's they were riding, becasue of heavy trafic. They passed the law letting bikes split lanes to keep the air flow over the engine.

Oh... it's NOT legal in PA.

 

This is not true. It has never been illegal in CA, therefore it has been legal. CHP did not "pass a law". The CHP has been instrumental in standing up to oppose attempts to make it illegal, which some bastard or other does every once in a while. And I appreciated that very much when I was there.

About the only things I really miss about CA are lanesplitting and cheap good Mexican food.

PhilB

 

i know that in NJ and CA its legal.

Check out this website, it tells you the laws for each state.
http://home.ama-cycle.org/amaccess/laws/result.asp?state=nj

Are you sure about NJ? I checked the AMA and it says "not referenced". Since it doesnt explicitly state "no", is it legal to do so in "safe and prudent manner" like CA?

 

One of the most practical things about motorcycles besides there great fuel economy is the ability to split lanes. I commute to work on side streets and I split lanes at almost every stop light. It can be done very safely at stop lights, since the cars are locked in and unable to change lanes, a bit riskier on a congested freeway however. What is the reasoning behind not allowing it, in those other states?

 

In most states that the subject has been discussed by the law makers a neutral stance has been taken. The reason most often given for this is that there is no data for or against the safety of lane splitting, and legislators, regardless of their reputation, typically don't like making or ammending laws without a good reason.

 

Its questionable in Idaho.
When I checked the books, I can't find any law specifically against it. The motorcycle license handbook tells you to discourage others from lane splitting but doesn't actually say that its illegal. I've gotta find an officer and ask sometime.

 

During the 84 olimpics the CHP burnt up a bunch of the air cooled Kawi 1000's they were riding, becasue of heavy trafic. They passed the law letting bikes split lanes to keep the air flow over the engine.

I didn't know that it was specific to CHP... interesting to say the least.

Not currently legal in Massachusetts, however there is talk about introducing legislation that would permit motorcycles to share the lane, similar to the law on the California books.

 

I would hate living in a state that doesn’t allow it. Honestly thou, you guys that live in states that outlaw lane splitting, do you still do it?

I just cant imagine sitting in gridlock traffic because of some accident up the road, looking at all the space in-between the cages and not being able to make use of it because some Winnie in government that never been on a bike in his life thinks it is too dangerous. Hell if your worried about safety what don’t you outlaw unprotected left turns instead!!

:urWhats that smell?

 

It's definetely not legal to do it in NJ...

 

Lane splitting is awesome and has been proven to be safer than not lane splitting.

 

http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/motorcycle/distance.html

I think it's "discouraged" but not specifically illegal in NJ. In Texas I think it's explicitly illegal but I do it all the time. I pick my battles though, only with gridlock and in 2nd gear to keep the noise down.

Come to think of it, I dont think there's enough room on northern NJ highways to do it safely anyways.

 

I would hate living in a state that doesn’t allow it. Honestly thou, you guys that live in states that outlaw lane splitting, do you still do it?

I just cant imagine sitting in gridlock traffic because of some accident up the road, looking at all the space in-between the cages and not being able to make use of it because some Winnie in government that never been on a bike in his life thinks it is too dangerous. Hell if your worried about safety what don’t you outlaw unprotected left turns instead!!

:urWhats that smell?

Yea if its a complete stand still il do it. But man do people get pissed off. Honking and shit :lao

 

I'd be afraid some fuckin idiot would swerve to be a dick, resulting in me crashing and getting run over. I don't think i'd do it even if it was legal in NJ.

 

I would hate living in a state that doesn’t allow it. Honestly thou, you guys that live in states that outlaw lane splitting, do you still do it?

I just cant imagine sitting in gridlock traffic because of some accident up the road, looking at all the space in-between the cages and not being able to make use of it because some Winnie in government that never been on a bike in his life thinks it is too dangerous. Hell if your worried about safety what don’t you outlaw unprotected left turns instead!!

:urWhats that smell?

We don't all live in states with California style gridlock traffic. The worst traffic in Boise is still nothing compared to what you deal with every day so.

Since it isn't explicitly forbidden in Idaho, I do it when traffic is at a complete stand still and it looks safe. Generally, I'll take the right shoulder rather than go up the middle for two reasons: 1) most of our roads don't have two or more lanes per direction. 2) car doors and swerving vehicles only come at you from one direction instead of two when you are on the shoulder.

 

Yea if its a complete stand still il do it. But man do people get pissed off. Honking and shit :lao

Really? I am suprized while it is legal in California most cagers don’t know this, I know some get annoyed but I never had anyone honk or yell at me, just the occasional guy trying to block your path, or the guy that trys to race you out of a light to prove something.

I was scared to try it until one day I was riding home in 100+ degree heat in the summer and there was an accident on this really busy street. The entire street was a parking lot as far as I could see and I was baking in full gear, I just couldn’t take it anymore and decided to try it. It took sometime getting used to but, now I do it whenever traffic conditions call for it.

 

It's definetely not legal to do it in NJ...

Not to pun your state, but I think that is the last place it would be legal, NJ is probably the most controlling state in the Union.

 

CA is pretty damn bad about most things as well. It's kind of freaky to be talking about an item in which CA is a leader in freedom.

PhilB

 

yea i fully agree!

 

Its not legal nor is it illegal here in TN, so I do it! Yay!

 

WoodK is right. I grew up in SoCal, and rode there for years before I moved to the east coast.

Now... do you know why it's legal in CA??? (trivia)

During the 84 olimpics the CHP burnt up a bunch of the air cooled Kawi 1000's they were riding, becasue of heavy trafic. They passed the law letting bikes split lanes to keep the air flow over the engine.

Oh... it's NOT legal in PA.

I did NOT know that. In 1984...somehow I think I remember riders doing that before then but I can't be sure so I cannot disagree with you. Maybe doing that but not legal before then. Thanks for the info.

In the earlier 70's my Step-father was a City of San Bernardino bike cop. I do remember him talking about the training of lane splitting and even one tale of him in pursuit in excess of 100 MPH while lane splitting but that could have been just tough talk...he was a bit of a wank.

 

Not legal in MD