FINALLY - Lane Sharing is supported in CA

[ocoas]

I have been stopped from lane splitting several times by cagers, but the best one.

Traffic completely stopped on the freeway, accident 7 miles ahead.
I come up on the very end and started putt-putting between the two lanes.
I was splitting lanes in 1st gear and at idle.
I came upon a tour bus, the driver ran out of the bus and stood on the white line with his back to me.

I stopped he looked over his shoulder and then forward, he was not going to move. I got out my phone dialed the number on the side of the bus and said that their driver was weaving back and forth, I wasn't sure if it was a machanical problem, he was drunk, or falling asleep. Before I even hung up I heard his radio in the bus calling to him.

He spun around said something or another and run into his bus. And I putt- putted to the front of the line.

 

[backup]

I have been stopped from lane splitting several times by cagers, but the best one.....

That's a great story! :rofl

 

[DataDan]

CHP commissioner Farrow has stepped down before issuing the guidelines. This is likely going to mean it will be some time before they are issued and the media blitz that goes with it is started.

Sounds like egregious micromanagement typical California government.

But, AB51 passed. Guidelines are just fluff, really.

The guidelines are the only reason AB51 exists. The law defines the term and authorizes CHP to issue guidelines--nothing else. One-sixth of California motorcycle crashes occur while splitting, so the opportunity to prevent 1000 motorcycle crashes a year is pretty compelling. Not to mention prevention of splitting fatalities--8 so far in 2017, by year-end likely to equal the 14 seen in both 2015 and 2016.

 

[RightCoastBias]

Sounds like egregious micromanagement typical California government.

The guidelines are the only reason AB51 exists. The law defines the term and authorizes CHP to issue guidelines--nothing else. One-sixth of California motorcycle crashes occur while splitting, so the opportunity to prevent 1000 motorcycle crashes a year is pretty compelling. Not to mention prevention of splitting fatalities--8 so far in 2017, by year-end likely to equal the 14 seen in both 2015 and 2016.

I didn't see a large need for AB51 to exist in the first place, given splitting was already legal.

Im skeptical of guidelines reducing splitting accidents, but would welcome more rider training regarding splitting. Don't see why CMSP can't integrate that without AB51 or guidelines.

I've not done the TC CMSP course, but the MSF course didn't mention splitting at all, as far as I recall.

 

[Marcoose]

...would welcome more rider training regarding splitting.

The way my simpleton's mind sees it, a good amount of splitting is due to road congestion, which in itself is at times due to (1) poor driving habits; wrong speed/lane, frequent lane-switching, tail-gating, inattention, poor planning, etc, and (2) everybody wanting/needing to be on road at the same time. I'd welcome more training on the root causes (as well).

 

[ToraTora]

I've not done the TC CMSP course, but the MSF course didn't mention splitting at all, as far as I recall.

They don't really cover much that's outside of a parking lot. It's a great start, but that's really all it is--a start. You most certainly are not prepared to ride on the freeway after taking the CMSP.

 

[budman]

I didn't see a large need for AB51 to exist in the first place, given splitting was already legal.

Im skeptical of guidelines reducing splitting accidents, but would welcome more rider training regarding splitting. Don't see why CMSP can't integrate that without AB51 or guidelines.

.

You would have if you were in the room when the DMV wanted to ban it in our motorcycle safety committee meeting. There was a battle ground movement to protect it started that day.

 

[two wheel tramp]

You would have if you were in the room when the DMV wanted to ban it in our motorcycle safety committee meeting. There was a battle ground movement to protect it started that day.

Thank you and thank Surj for all you two have done on this issue.

This thread also makes me aware that I miss silversvs.

 

[budman]

I still catch him in our meetings. I miss his presence here too. He was one of 5 of us who refused to accept a ban. ort

He is way into building old trans am's now. :cool

 

[two wheel tramp]

Will you tell him Cootz says hello? Thank you!

 

[budman]

Done!

BTW -- another study on the cause of LS accidents is being funded. This will not provide additional data on new accidents. It is going into a more in depth analysis of existing data to try to expand the knowledge on how the accidents take place. This could help educate riders in particular. At least that is my hope from it.
I expect info to come out next year... at some point.

 

[gixxerjeff]

Done!

BTW -- another study on the cause of LS accidents is being funded. This will not provide additional data on new accidents. It is going into a more in depth analysis of existing data to try to expand the knowledge on how the accidents take place. This could help educate riders in particular. At least that is my hope from it.
I expect info to come out next year... at some point.

Just lemme know when you're gonna head back to the DNA Lounge for further celebration.
arty
:ride

 

[budman]

:teeth

Sounds like a plan.!!

 

[LittleBigGirl]

From both a rider's and a driver's perspective, I think EVERYONE would benefit from a little re-programming/training about lanesplitting safety and "laws".

They should include lanesharing safety training in driver's education training and the MSP, as an added safety feature. This should also be part of a DMV + CHP media advisory and ongoing campaign, without much added to the state budget, seriously...

But back to drivers... I have noticed some really aggressive behavior recently and I am convinced it's due to our shakey political climate, but that doesn't matter. The point is, DRIVERS NEED TO BE TRAINED. I know it's OUR responsibility as riders to keep ourselves safe, but a little re-programming on the part of driver's ed/CHP/DMV wouldn't hurt at all. AND it would so easy to do.

I know they discussed this a little bit at the CHP meeting a few months ago in Sacramento, but I think it's imperative that the initiative start sooner rather than later.

 

[budman]

From both a rider's and a driver's perspective, I think EVERYONE would benefit from a little re-programming/training about lanesplitting safety and "laws".

Totally agree.

They should include lanesharing safety training in driver's education training and the MSP, as an added safety feature.
I proposed this two years ago and it became an action item with the SHSP and assigned to the DMV. This year after little follow through (people not showing up to meetings and no info shared) we got some excuses and it was put on hold. I complained and at the meeting last week put them on notice that I want this to come back and we need to find someone who can be more dedicated to it. Seems they hand the action to someone who has other full time duties and that person cannot make time to work on it. After a year of frustration and no info at least we now know it was a fail.

This should also be part of a DMV + CHP media advisory and ongoing campaign, without much added to the state budget, seriously...

There are informational posters being located in the DMV locations. One geared to Motorcycles and one geared towards drivers.
This was again a suggestion via barf at the CMSP Advisory commitee on how to spend the 1.2 Million of extra $$$ that were broken loose by additional suggestions to said committee. The media campaign has a 800K budget and much of the work is done. We just need the guidelines to launch to launch the campaign.

But back to drivers... I have noticed some really aggressive behavior recently and I am convinced it's due to our shakey political climate, but that doesn't matter. The point is, DRIVERS NEED TO BE TRAINED. I know it's OUR responsibility as riders to keep ourselves safe, but a little re-programming on the part of driver's ed/CHP/DMV wouldn't hurt at all. AND it would so easy to do.

I know they discussed this a little bit at the CHP meeting a few months ago in Sacramento, but I think it's imperative that the initiative start sooner rather than later.

There ya go.. it was nice to see you at the meeting...:thumbup

There are two distinct pieces to the moto safety effort.
1. SHSP CA Motorcycle Safety Committee
2. CMSP Advisory Committee

SHSP comes up with actions that the State can implemented with the Federal funding for moto safety that lands with the OTS (office of traffic safety). They also do some grants -- the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Authority/ Vision Zero campaign is one of those. If you live in the City you will start to see some stuff on that soon. Several barfers were key in working with them to get this launched. It was successful enough that they have received two more years of funding for it.

CMSP reviews the training program and has now become a more active safety elements. Getting the 1.2 M released for awareness is an example. The fund was growing and man I was getting nervous the Jerry dude would grab it for the general fund. That will be on going and includes the big media push.

There were other ideas presented via barf. In fact we had more than any other member by a mile. One I am very fond of and I believe will move forward is - Adding Lane Splitting to the advanced CMSP class and also establishing an online lane spitting training tool. These sort of things require continuing pressure as I have found it is easy for them to fade away because they take hard work to establish and the state likes to take quicker actions - thus showing some success.

To that regard I have a safety vest committee meeting in 20 minutes so I am :later

 

[ScottRNelson]

But back to drivers... I have noticed some really aggressive behavior recently and I am convinced it's due to our shakey political climate, but that doesn't matter. The point is, DRIVERS NEED TO BE TRAINED. I know it's OUR responsibility as riders to keep ourselves safe, but a little re-programming on the part of driver's ed/CHP/DMV wouldn't hurt at all. AND it would so easy to do.

I received my California Driver License in 1988. I Haven't been required to do anything other than get a couple of new photos taken and give them a thumbprint since then. No training whatsoever.

Until California starts making you take a written test and maybe even a driving test once in a while, what you're asking for is never going to happen.

 

[DataDan]

Here is an article on lane splitting today in The Malibu Times, an independent newspaper in Malibu: Motorcycle Accidents: Is Lane Splitting to Blame?

A motorcycle accident on Pacific Coast Highway early last week caused big delays driving into the city during the morning rush hour. Though details were hazy, it appeared the rider was splitting lanes of stop-and-go traffic and got into an accident near the intersection of PCH and Las Tunas in far Eastern Malibu. As Malibu commuters know, motorcycle accidents are fairly common, both on PCH and canyon roads. Malibu’s beauty and climate attract bikers from all around the world, but traffic means it is not always the safest place to ride.

With the motorcycle rider suffering serious injuries, The Malibu Times decided to delve into the controversial practice of lane splitting.
​

Yeah, I know: Fucking rich L.A. beach fucks. Fuck 'em! But it might be worth understanding how their traffic can be affected by motorcycle crashes.

The City of Malibu covers most of the coast between Sunset Blvd and the Ventura County line, about 20 miles of SR-1, Pacific Coast Highway. There are no alternate routes through town, so they're touchy about crashes that slow traffic or, worse, close lanes. Malibu is an incorporated city, but they contract with the L.A. County Sheriff for law enforcement, including traffic.

IMHO it's a fair article. The LEO quoted is reasonable, and they include motorcyclist viewpoint too.

 

[budman]

Fair but has some inaccuracies. I don't know the area but I would guess it has a mix of tourists thrown in once in a while. I bet there has been some car accidents that has screwed up the commute too. I wonder if they write about those?

Thanks for sharing Dan.

 

[TheRiddler]

But back to drivers... I have noticed some really aggressive behavior recently and I am convinced it's due to our shakey political climate, but that doesn't matter. The point is, DRIVERS NEED TO BE TRAINED. I know it's OUR responsibility as riders to keep ourselves safe, but a little re-programming on the part of driver's ed/CHP/DMV wouldn't hurt at all. AND it would so easy to do.

I know they discussed this a little bit at the CHP meeting a few months ago in Sacramento, but I think it's imperative that the initiative start sooner rather than later.

Roughly 1 in 5 people I stopped in the bay area were unlicensed/suspended/revoked. I'd like to start even more basic by getting them off the road.

 

[FreeRyde]

Roughly 1 in 5 people I stopped in the bay area were unlicensed/suspended/revoked. I'd like to start even more basic by getting them off the road.

This.