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Lane Splitting
Quote from Gary Shearer on February 21, 2021, 4:31 pmThe Oregon Legislature is in session and the only bills I can find that concern motorcycles really do not impact a sidecar rig. I found three senate bills and two house bills that list "lane splitting" by two-wheeled motorcycles. Such bills are introduced at nearly every session but go no where. Another senate bill would require 24 hour headlight use by all vehicles, but since that is already required for motorcycles it is of no concern to sidecarists.
The Oregon Legislature is in session and the only bills I can find that concern motorcycles really do not impact a sidecar rig. I found three senate bills and two house bills that list "lane splitting" by two-wheeled motorcycles. Such bills are introduced at nearly every session but go no where. Another senate bill would require 24 hour headlight use by all vehicles, but since that is already required for motorcycles it is of no concern to sidecarists.
Quote from Edward Jones on February 22, 2021, 7:21 amI just find it amazing that such a common sense traffic flow improvement law such as lane splitting is not nationwide. I remember lane splitting in stopped traffic in CA back in the early 1980s when I was stationed there. But I suppose it just shows how little money the MC community has to throw at state politicians.
I just find it amazing that such a common sense traffic flow improvement law such as lane splitting is not nationwide. I remember lane splitting in stopped traffic in CA back in the early 1980s when I was stationed there. But I suppose it just shows how little money the MC community has to throw at state politicians.
Quote from Deleted user on February 23, 2021, 1:00 pmOnly thing I'll say about lane splitting is that it's a good thing if one is an experienced rider. I and a friend were sitting at a stop light a few years back with his broke down motorcycle on my trailer. A young kid tried splitting lanes and clipped the mirror of the car at the front of the line and went down just as the light turned green. Pretty slow maneuver and he looked OK. I didn't have a lot of choice but to make our turn and continue to get Jack's bike where it would be repaired. Sure gave us a topic for conversation though.
Only thing I'll say about lane splitting is that it's a good thing if one is an experienced rider. I and a friend were sitting at a stop light a few years back with his broke down motorcycle on my trailer. A young kid tried splitting lanes and clipped the mirror of the car at the front of the line and went down just as the light turned green. Pretty slow maneuver and he looked OK. I didn't have a lot of choice but to make our turn and continue to get Jack's bike where it would be repaired. Sure gave us a topic for conversation though.
Quote from Becky Willis on March 3, 2021, 11:39 pmPerspective from a Californian commuter: I miss the days when you could lane split through miles of rush-hour commuter traffic. Some of the interactions with the other riders you would meet coming through the traffic were just unforgettable. These days there is hardly any traffic, lane splitting is easy but you never really meet anyone 😐
I hope Oregon does make some progress soon. In CA they teach responsible and judicious lane splitting and part of the CMSP, which is the CA version of MSF. It makes riding much safer, and I kinda feel it's part of MC culture.
Perspective from a Californian commuter: I miss the days when you could lane split through miles of rush-hour commuter traffic. Some of the interactions with the other riders you would meet coming through the traffic were just unforgettable. These days there is hardly any traffic, lane splitting is easy but you never really meet anyone 😐
I hope Oregon does make some progress soon. In CA they teach responsible and judicious lane splitting and part of the CMSP, which is the CA version of MSF. It makes riding much safer, and I kinda feel it's part of MC culture.
Quote from James Neufeld on December 13, 2021, 9:25 amBack in the Dream Time I commuted between Riverside and Long Beach, CA (50 mi each way) on a Yamaha SR500. Depending on traffic I saved 30-90 mins. average per trip. I noticed that traffic turned to stop-and-go farther and farther out from LB as time passed. I also averaged 2-3 bad scares a week. We ended up moving into LB.
Since the only running bike we have now is a sidecar rig lane splitting legislation doesn't really affect me.
Back in the Dream Time I commuted between Riverside and Long Beach, CA (50 mi each way) on a Yamaha SR500. Depending on traffic I saved 30-90 mins. average per trip. I noticed that traffic turned to stop-and-go farther and farther out from LB as time passed. I also averaged 2-3 bad scares a week. We ended up moving into LB.
Since the only running bike we have now is a sidecar rig lane splitting legislation doesn't really affect me.
Quote from Ben Franklin on October 2, 2022, 12:25 amArizona finally made some progress in this area:
https://ridermagazine.com/2022/04/06/arizona-passes-lane-filtering-law/
Still more restrictive than California, but at least you can pull up to the front of the line of cars at a stop light.
Funny, this passed just a few months before my swapping my 2 wheel Africa Twin to a Hacked Africa Twin, so of little to no use to me, at the moment.
Arizona finally made some progress in this area:
Still more restrictive than California, but at least you can pull up to the front of the line of cars at a stop light.
Funny, this passed just a few months before my swapping my 2 wheel Africa Twin to a Hacked Africa Twin, so of little to no use to me, at the moment.
Quote from Tax Man on December 16, 2022, 3:36 pmI can think of a few reasons motorists would be upset about lane splitting.
Motorists are not accustomed to having to share part of the lane with another vehicle. Driving on or lapping over the lane divider is a failure to yield in most states.
Another vehicle suddenly appearing very close beside your car can cause an unpredictable reaction by the car driver. The driver may swerve to avoid what he/she believes to be a pending collision with the 2-wheeler.
Drivers on multiple lane roads in slow traffic believe they have no reason to be watching the rear view mirrors for passing vehicles in the 3-5 ft space between them and the car/truck beside them.
I have survived many years of riding 2-wheelers, sidecar rigs, and driving 4-wheel vehicles. The standards for vision, hearing, mental and physical condition for obtaining an operator license are not very rigorous. Then add to those conditions persons on prescription and non-prescription drugs and alcohol which affect reaction time and mental acuity and it is a wonder any of us have survived being on the roads with normal space between vehicles.
I can think of a few reasons motorists would be upset about lane splitting.
Motorists are not accustomed to having to share part of the lane with another vehicle. Driving on or lapping over the lane divider is a failure to yield in most states.
Another vehicle suddenly appearing very close beside your car can cause an unpredictable reaction by the car driver. The driver may swerve to avoid what he/she believes to be a pending collision with the 2-wheeler.
Drivers on multiple lane roads in slow traffic believe they have no reason to be watching the rear view mirrors for passing vehicles in the 3-5 ft space between them and the car/truck beside them.
I have survived many years of riding 2-wheelers, sidecar rigs, and driving 4-wheel vehicles. The standards for vision, hearing, mental and physical condition for obtaining an operator license are not very rigorous. Then add to those conditions persons on prescription and non-prescription drugs and alcohol which affect reaction time and mental acuity and it is a wonder any of us have survived being on the roads with normal space between vehicles.
Quote from Mick Boon on December 16, 2022, 3:51 pmI guess I can't understand people getting upset because I have lived in England for a good part of my life, nobody could care less there. Having read the above post it seems like drivers in much of North America are merchant bankers. 🙂
I guess I can't understand people getting upset because I have lived in England for a good part of my life, nobody could care less there. Having read the above post it seems like drivers in much of North America are merchant bankers. 🙂
Quote from Reardan Tom on December 16, 2022, 7:51 pmQuote from Deleted user on February 23, 2021, 1:00 pmOnly thing I'll say about lane splitting is that it's a good thing if one is an experienced rider. I and a friend were sitting at a stop light a few years back with his broke down motorcycle on my trailer. A young kid tried splitting lanes and clipped the mirror of the car at the front of the line and went down just as the light turned green. Pretty slow maneuver and he looked OK. I didn't have a lot of choice but to make our turn and continue to get Jack's bike where it would be repaired. Sure gave us a topic for conversation though.
I'm surprised to see this thread ressurected. The above story by "deleted user" was my post back when they still counted for something....
Quote from Deleted user on February 23, 2021, 1:00 pmOnly thing I'll say about lane splitting is that it's a good thing if one is an experienced rider. I and a friend were sitting at a stop light a few years back with his broke down motorcycle on my trailer. A young kid tried splitting lanes and clipped the mirror of the car at the front of the line and went down just as the light turned green. Pretty slow maneuver and he looked OK. I didn't have a lot of choice but to make our turn and continue to get Jack's bike where it would be repaired. Sure gave us a topic for conversation though.
I'm surprised to see this thread ressurected. The above story by "deleted user" was my post back when they still counted for something....