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Let me start by stating that I am just getting back into motorcycling but I started riding back in 1989 and gave up on it in early 2000. I have noted over those years that most of the riders who want unhindered lane splitting seem to sportsbike squirrels who also do not believe they should have to register or insure their bikes. Most have their license plates bent in such an angle so that it makes it hard for anyone to be able to note their numbers. In Europe, particularly in France, there seem to be 2 traffic laws. One is for motorized 2-wheeled vehicles; the other is for everybody else. And it is utter chaos!! You never knew when some idiot was going to run into your car when you are trying change lanes or make a turn. It was hard enough to watch out for other drivers but having to watch for entitled riders who can put a dent on your car and then make their escape through the traffic adds to the stress.
Lane splitting should only be allowed under special circumstances and not as a rule and only if the road conditions (IE: lane width and weather) allows it to be performed safely. It should also be LIMITED TO INTERSTATES AND ROADS WITH AT LEAST 3 TRAVELING LANES. As the situation and weather allows, and when traffic is moving at a steady pace, all motorbikes need to maintain their place in the traffic queue and overtake safely as the situation allows for it like everybody else.
When traffic is going VERY SLOW PACE (IE: maybe 30 mph or less?) lane splitting should be allowed. When traffic is at a STANDSTILL lane splitting AND riding on the shoulder, AS LONG AS IT CAN BE DONE SAFELY, should also be legal.
As far as during emergencies, as in while stopped in traffic and you observe a car coming up behind you who seem unaware of the stopped traffic, it is already legal to lane split in order to escape a collision. So is riding on the shoulder or even the sidewalk under similar circumstances. There is a precedent and legal term for this - but I forget what it is.
As both a rider and cage driver I hate lane splitters when the traffic is moving at a decent speed. The last time I was driving in the LA area (about 20-years ago) a squirrel came within a couple of inches of taking out my elbow while we were moving along at about 60 mph. But this is JM2CW.
Lane splitting should only be allowed under special circumstances and not as a rule and only if the road conditions (IE: lane width and weather) allows it to be performed safely. It should also be LIMITED TO INTERSTATES AND ROADS WITH AT LEAST 3 TRAVELING LANES. As the situation and weather allows, and when traffic is moving at a steady pace, all motorbikes need to maintain their place in the traffic queue and overtake safely as the situation allows for it like everybody else.
When traffic is going VERY SLOW PACE (IE: maybe 30 mph or less?) lane splitting should be allowed. When traffic is at a STANDSTILL lane splitting AND riding on the shoulder, AS LONG AS IT CAN BE DONE SAFELY, should also be legal.
As far as during emergencies, as in while stopped in traffic and you observe a car coming up behind you who seem unaware of the stopped traffic, it is already legal to lane split in order to escape a collision. So is riding on the shoulder or even the sidewalk under similar circumstances. There is a precedent and legal term for this - but I forget what it is.
As both a rider and cage driver I hate lane splitters when the traffic is moving at a decent speed. The last time I was driving in the LA area (about 20-years ago) a squirrel came within a couple of inches of taking out my elbow while we were moving along at about 60 mph. But this is JM2CW.
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