Lane Splitting

[ridersblock]

What is the law on this...

...on freeways?

...getting to the front of the line at a stop light?

:confused

 

[svclee]

in california were allowed to lane split as long as its safe..though i think you cant lane split something like 15mph faster then traffic is going..going to the front of a stop light is allowed.

 

[RichieB]

in california were allowed to lane split as long as its safe..though i think you cant lane split something like 15mph faster then traffic is going..going to the front of a stop light is allowed.

up to 30mph after that it's a ticket.

 

[rwcfrank]

Lane splitting itself is okay, normally the ticket is for speed unsafe for conditions VC 22350 (officers professional opinion) or riding back and forth over the Botts dots which tecnically is a lane change, usually without signalling, or again in the officers opinion the lane change was unsafe..CVC 21658(a) or 22107. Rule of thumb only ride slightly faster than the traffic flow and do your best to stay within on lane or at least signal when you change lanes. Lastly when you see a cop be polite and responsible and pass slowly...

 

[motorman4life]

The arbitrary speed numbers given up above are not correct. There is no stated speed in CA law. It is up to the officer's judgment as to whether they feel what you are doing is unsafe or reckless.

The advantage is that most cops in cruisers, while often quick to judge motorcycles harshly (particularly if they have no experience on 2 wheels), realize they usually cannot get through the heavy traffic to catch up to you.

Meanwhile, most cops on motorcycles lane split on a regular basis and unless you are REALLY RECKLESS or out of control, they will cut you quite a bit of slack and are much less likely to see your skillful, controlled, maneuvers as being unsafe, but are more likely to give you a thumbs up or a waive!

 

[Slowmofo]

and watch out for out state drivers dumb ass's think they can play cop and block you off from passing them while lane spliting i had 4 cars with out state plates try to block me in almost causing an accident dumb a$$ didnt even know its legal here but back where there from its not legal

 

[BigCorySBFMC707]

The arbitrary speed numbers given up above are not correct. There is no stated speed in CA law. It is up to the officer's judgment as to whether they feel what you are doing is unsafe or reckless.

The advantage is that most cops in cruisers, while often quick to judge motorcycles harshly (particularly if they have no experience on 2 wheels), realize they usually cannot get through the heavy traffic to catch up to you.

Meanwhile, most cops on motorcycles lane split on a regular basis and unless you are REALLY RECKLESS or out of control, they will cut you quite a bit of slack and are much less likely to see your skillful, controlled, maneuvers as being unsafe, but are more likely to give you a thumbs up or a waive!

To the chp, Do you guys mind when we follow you while you are lane splitting?

 

[RydTher]

I would like to know as well, I once made room for then split behind a CHP Moto on 17 (for a little bit anyway, that officer was movin' :laughing - no lights though or I wouldnt have followed ) I did keep a reasonable following distance, and made sure my high beam was dimmed. Nice having him part the waters so to speak.

 

[motorman4life]

To the chp, Do you guys mind when we follow you while you are lane splitting?

I'm not CHP, but I split on the freeways on-duty and off. My theory is that as long as you are at a safe distance (like 6 to 10 feet per 10 mph) behind him, you should be okay.

 

[Diezel]

The arbitrary speed numbers given up above are not correct. There is no stated speed in CA law. It is up to the officer's judgment as to whether they feel what you are doing is unsafe or reckless.

The advantage is that most cops in cruisers, while often quick to judge motorcycles harshly (particularly if they have no experience on 2 wheels), realize they usually cannot get through the heavy traffic to catch up to you.

Meanwhile, most cops on motorcycles lane split on a regular basis and unless you are REALLY RECKLESS or out of control, they will cut you quite a bit of slack and are much less likely to see your skillful, controlled, maneuvers as being unsafe, but are more likely to give you a thumbs up or a waive!

If i remember correctly the California MotorCycle handbook lists the same information of, you "may not exceed over 15mph over traffic flow, or exceed the speed limit."

I hope that is incorrect. There's many times you MUST exceed 15mph over to keep from getting injured by someone not paying as much attention as everyone else.

(I'm asking this as a "common sense thing", I know better but many other don't and WON'T ask.)

My question is... what are the "Guidelines" to lane splitting? What IS acceptable and what is not?

ie: You've got 3 lanes of traffic. Common sense say pick towards the left. Quicker lane of traffic and likely less lane changers... Lets throw a curve ball. Now you have 2 direct lanes, and the right lane is a turn lane. is it acceptable (notice I'm not saying safe) to lane split the outter 2 lanes ?

 

[Sidewalk]

I beleive the DMV riders handbook says that it is only guidance (somewhere in there at least).


I have followed an off duty officer at 80+ MPH while zooming through traffic. I am sure that if he doesn't want you following, he will give you a sign

 

[Dragon]

How about lane spiltting when there is only one lane? (within the solid yellow and inside the fog line)

I got stuck on HWY 37 yesterday and almost just drove on the shoulder to keep the bike from overheating... (I'm sure drving on the shoulder would have been cheaper than breaking a solid yellow)

 

[weasel]

I do it but I heard a bunch of guys got popped on hwy 1 coming back from Laguna last year

 

[Diezel]

I do it but I heard a bunch of guys got popped on hwy 1 coming back from Laguna last year

Same here, backroads on the way out of laguna. Cops seemed pretty cool about us doing it on a 2 lane double yellow back road. Hell I got passed by a cop as I was riding on the double yellow!

I've done, and probably will continue to do it. On the otherhand if it is not "legit" I'll be alot more careful and wise of where and when I do it.

 

[Kaesem]

I do it daily on a two lane while the traffic is stopped, making sure I don't venture in the bycycle lane or the center left hand turn lane.

I think there is some VC against lane splitting on two lanes though.

 

[Razel]

and watch out for out state drivers dumb ass's think they can play cop and block you off from passing them while lane spliting i had 4 cars with out state plates try to block me in almost causing an accident dumb a$$ didnt even know its legal here but back where there from its not legal

Or the out-of-state low-boy drivers in the #2 lane on 580 between Pleasanton and Livermore...yellow Ferarri in the #1 was not happy!
FWIW, it's not legal in any other state. Texas and Washington are considering allowing it, but it's being worked out by their respective (I didn't say respectable) politicians.

 

[tuxumino]

A lot of Cali drivers don't know it's legal either or at least think it shouldn't be legal and don't mind letting you know with their car.

Is it legal to lane share on a one way single lane road, like the fly over from 80 west to the bay bridge.

 

[BigCorySBFMC707]

A lot of Cali drivers don't know it's legal either or at least think it shouldn't be legal and don't mind letting you know with their car.

Is it legal to lane share on a one way single lane road, like the fly over from 80 west to the bay bridge.

that is good to know, cuz I do it all the time,lol