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California Bill AB 51 Codifying Lane Splitting To Be Introduced To Committee

3K views 16 replies 9 participants last post by  socalmarcus 
#1 ·


Here at MO, we are strong proponents of lane splitting. Not a day goes by in which we don’t filter between the lines of slower moving or stopped cars. In the process, we’re also easing congestion and protecting ourselves from being rear-ended by distracted drivers. So, naturally, we were excited last year when we heard of California bill AB 51 was making the rounds in an effort to codify the act of lane splitting by giving it a set of clear rules for riders to follow. One of the primary benefits of the rules would be that they would make it possible to educate the driving public about lane splitting.

Unfortunately, the bill was pulled last July at the request of its author, California Assemblyman Bill Quirk, because of fears that it would not pass. Since that time, Quirk has worked on changing the language of the bill to a form that will improve its chance of passing. According to LaneSplittingIsLegal.com, an organization devoted to promoting lane splitting, the wording has changed to a much less specific recipe for legal lane splitting to a more generalized one. The result is a bill that maintains lane splitting’s legality by virtue of not being explicitly illegal while giving the CHP the option of developing and distributing educational guidelines for riders and the driving public to better understand safe lane splitting.

In a mockup of the amended version of AB 51 produced by LaneSplittingIsLegal.com, the specifics of the top speed and the speed differential between the motorcycle and other traffic have been removed. In their place, the mandate for CHP to create guidelines to educate the public is inserted: 'The California Department of Highway Patrol may develop educational guidelines relating to lane splitting in a manner that would ensure the safety of the motorcyclist and the drivers and passengers of the surrounding vehicles.'

Additionally, the agencies that the CHP is to consult in developing the guidelines includes not only the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Transportation, and the Office of Traffic Safety, but it also lists the requirement of consulting with a 'motorcycle organization focused on motorcyclist safety.' So, we assume the organization selected would be either the AMA or the MSF, giving actual motorcyclists an active say in the development of lane splitting guidelines – which is very good news!

These changes were scheduled to be submitted to committee yesterday, May 31, 2016, but at the time of publication, the bill’s page on the California Legislative Information website had not been updated. Interested parties can track the progress of the bill there. California residents who want to contact their representative can search here. Those who want to contact Assemblyman Quirk’s office can visit his web site.
Read more about the California Bill AB 51 Codifying Lane Splitting To Be Introduced To Committee at Motorcycle.com.
 
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#2 ·
It'll be interesting to see what happens. Can't lane split here in Washington, even though I've done it a few times. Got thrown headfirst into the the graduate class when we went to Thailand. now sitting in traffic frustrates me even more than it did before.

I know a lot of folks think its dangerous and riders will be out of control, but honestly? i think it will make riding safer. And anything to help alleviate traffic can't be a bad thing.
 
#3 ·
Lane splitting is legal in Victoria and works well as it does in many other countries especially in Thailand .The bikes all move through the traffic to the front at lights and when they go green the bikes disappear in the distance leaving the cars to trundle on behind them.
 
#4 ·
Scares me, so I don't do it.

I do agree that at red lights and gridlock, bikes should be able to move to the front, but I think all will agree that splitting lanes when moving is very dangerous, startles the drivers, and can cause an overall dis-like of motorcyclist. I have seen cars scare motorcyclist and even move in slightly to prevent or 'teach 'em a lesson'. It is really not necessary when you can simply pass them legally.

I always thought it was kinda hypocritical to expect cars respect to your lane, but then 'sneaking' between them to split.

It may work in foreign lands, where there are no "Rules of the Road", but here, with all this road rage, it'll get you killed!

My 2 sense :)
 
#5 ·
and can cause an overall dis-like of motorcyclist in countries populated by entitled self-centered & selfish people .
Fixed that for ya. In the rest of the world where people accept that their fuel efficient cars can't get out of their own way, they're actually okay with the faster nimble vehicles filtering through them.
 
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#6 · (Edited)
^ Agreed.

DNC - I don't consider it very dangerous. Not for someone who has already chosen to ride a motorcycle in traffic. Your examples of 'teach 'em a lesson' happens here too, but maybe not as often as in states where the bike is clearly making an illegal move. Which is my point: I'm 53 and have seen it done since before I got my driver's license; its just part of driving out here, part of our "Rules of the Road" and we're used to it. As an old guy I don't ride sport bikes (yes, I do consider that bike demographic the focus of this bill) and I can't do as much splitting as I used to on my tourer, but I wholeheartedly support the practice; the allowance of it here has worked.

It looks like the latest revision has been watered it down some - removed the top speed (50 mph) and maximum differential (15 mph) which, IMO, is too low as it would set the max speed at 15 mph in stopped traffic. Close, but I think a bit more can be safe in stopped traffic. Let the cops decide what to ticket.

I don't know what this proposed law will actually correct, but I want it to not hinder safe riding.

Nobody dislikes an irresponsible rider more than a responsible rider.
 
#7 ·
Allowing a half second reaction time, at 15 MPH you can stop in about 1 car length. Quick enough that you should be able to avoid any hazards in stopped or very slow moving traffic (a door opening or car changing lanes) . At 30 mph for example, your stopping distance is going to be about 3-3.5 car lengths which would cut down on your safety margin by quite a bit. In practice, it would be hard to enforce a speed limit unless one of the stopped vehicles was a CHP with a radar set.
 
#8 · (Edited)
I've never seen this, so I'm a bit confused.

Example...
Two lanes. Two LINES of cars are stopped for a red light. Bike#1 splits the lane and stops between the two cars, waiting for the light.
Bike# 2 stops right behind him. Bike #3... etc.

Now you have 3 lanes of traffic in only 2 lanes. Is that right? That doesn't sound safe.

And if the bikes go IN FRONT of the cars, then they are WAY in front of where you're supposed to stop (you know... the stop line). Maybe they're now in the way of cars (going thru the GREEN light) trying to turn left.

Can someone explain this better?

And from what I've seen in Thailand (and other countries in that part of the world), they don't *seem* to have ANY traffic rules. Especially in cities. It sure looks just crazy. Everybody seems to be cutting off everyone else.

But... they don't seem to drive as fast as we usually do.
And they also seem to have many more bike riders than car drivers.
 
#11 ·
I've never seen this, so I'm a bit confused.

Example...
Two lanes. Two LINES of cars are stopped for a red light. Bike#1 splits the lane and stops between the two cars, waiting for the light.
Bike# 2 stops right behind him. Bike #3... etc.

Now you have 3 lanes of traffic in only 2 lanes. Is that right? That doesn't sound safe.
In the rest of the world where filtering is acceptable, there are "filter zones" at the front. The way it works is there's the crosswalk, then the filter zone for two-wheelers, and the line where cars stop. The bikes filter to the front and take off when the light turns green, leaving the four wheeled accordion to work its lengthy crawl behind them.

The problem with filtering here in the US --- even where it is legal/acceptable --- is there are no such established zones and you end up with the stacking-between-cars scenario you described.
 
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#9 · (Edited)
GAP,

There are no specific laws nor rules that directly govern that situation and I don't expect AB51 to even touch that.

What will usually happen is bike #1 simply accelerates like a bike will and is well out in front before the cars even react. IMO, the rider should ride their ride and not be concerned with how many bikes are behind him. Riders #2, #3, etc. will do what they can given what happens around them. They have no right-of-way over the cars that they decided to split between. But, bikes can and easily do move into the gaps that open between the accelerating cars. I agree, not a safe situation to get yourself into, but far from automatic death. You'll typically be settled before traffic hits 15 mph. I'll follow another splitter on the freeway but not closely on surface streets. Sometimes I'll split, without the front being the goal, because I see a gap ahead. You can't get ticketed for splitting but there's always Unsafe Lane Change, Reckless Driving, Tailgating, etc.

Bikes are not allowed to cross the 'limit line' but the front bike will typically put their front tire on the line, clearly positioned in front and in plain view of the first cars.

As for those videos in Thailand and the like - that is just chaos. It does NOT look like that here, not even close. Their ratio of scooters to vehicles is unique. If their vehicles accelerated like ours they wouldn't have a population issue, and if riders here rode like that, SoCal real estate would be cheap.
 
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#10 ·
Socalmarcus...

Thanks.
I *think* I understand better now. But...I still don't like it.

Even with only one bike involved, you're asking that bike to *gun it* when the light changes just to get in front. That doesn't sound safe.

And what about smaller bikes? If I'm on my Rebel and there's a Camaro on one side, and a Corvette on the other... do you really think EITHER of them is going to let me get in front? Not here in Florida! They buy those fast cars for a reason, and would love to *show a bike up*.
And then... I better hope that the NEXT guy is decent enough to let me in.

I just don't think I trust American car drivers to be that *understanding*. When many people get in their cars, they change.

And if they're in a hurry, and YOU just split the lane and got a better spot, I think many *non bike riders* in cars will resent that.

If that law ever gets to Florida... I think I'll just wait my turn.
 
#12 ·
In my younger days I was a very aggressive driver. I raced cars, motorcycles, boats, mountain bikes, and snow skis. I was an adrenalin junkie addicted to speed. I drove aggressively on the road also, especially my sports cars and bikes. Speed limits and other laws were just suggestions, and only mattered if you got caught. That did not happen often due to radar detectors, jammers, and radios.

It was common for me to split lanes, whether legal or not. I split lanes, shared lanes, passed between lanes, used the shoulder, etc., both when stopped at intersections, and also when going down the street, highway, or interstate.

I never had a problem, or caused any accidents, or was even involved in any accidents. I also never slowed anyone else down, because I was always going faster than anyone else. However, I continually had people yelling at me, cursing me, giving me the finger wave, and threatening to beat my a. It did not matter that I did not cause them any problems, or endanger them, or slow them down, many were still pissed off. Why, I don't know but it seems to be human nature for about half the population.

Now that I am a senior citizen, I no longer have the reflexes or skills to drive like I did for most of my life. I also gave up on the adrenalin rushes, because in order to get them now, I have to be more dangerous. I also prefer to avoid conflicts now, that I would have confronted when younger. Finally I am much more relaxed and laid back today, and enjoy the scenery at a much more leisurely pace. I don't need to pass everybody, or get there first. Life is just slower, so I would have to be in some emergency hurry to even consider doing what I considered normal earlier.

I think there will always be people in this country who take offense no matter how politely you pass them. Each rider has to decide what risks he is willing to take, whether his skillset can support the risks, and whether it is worth it if it all goes south in a hurry. Each has his own risk tolerance, and definition of risk, and will make his decisions based on those. If everyone would worry about his own actions, and quit trying to control everyone else around them, the world would be a better, and less stressful place.
 
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#13 · (Edited)
Shadow Shack...

Ah!
Filter Zones... now THAT makes sense. That would change everything.

76Paw...
" I think there will always be people in this country who take offense no matter how politely you pass them. "
I can't agree more. I see very few *polite* drivers (and NO young ones).


Before, I was talking about cars at red lights.
But as for splitting lanes on Highways (55-65) and freeways (70), I also think that's a bad idea.

For one thing, almost everyone is already doing 5-10 mph over. What's your hurry?
And motorcycles are hard enough to see in a rear view mirror.
And... there's barely enough room between cars at those speeds for many drivers. Sometimes if I'm in the slow lane doing the speed limit, or a little more (in my car), I'll get passed by some yahoo who's almost touching MY lane. It amazes me how many people can't keep their cars centered in their lanes
And then there's cell phones.

Here's a thought... I wonder what the INSURANCE cost would be for the same bike, same rider, same coverage, etc., in states WITH this law... and states without it.
If they DID charge more, that'd be proof that this is a dangerous idea.
THOSE guys look into EVERYTHING! If it's going to cost THEM a dime more, they'll charge YOU 15 cents.

I'll bet that they'd take this into consideration and would charge more where lane splitting is allowed. They'd have to. To make up for YOUR possible bad judgement AND the other guy's too (an opened door, etc.).
And also, there'd be more a risk of road rage in those states.

I know that most riders love this idea. Who DOESN'T like VIP treatment?
But I think that the laws and rules-of-the-road should be the same for everyone.
Otherwise... there will always be that jealousy and resent.

Imagine... in states that have helmet laws... that they now say that 3 wheelers don't need the helmets.
So here you are on a 95* day, with your head in a crock pot, and some joker on a 3 wheeler pulls up next to you. His hair is just blowing in the wind as he looks over and grins.
UNFAIR!.. you think. And it would be.

That's how the cars probably feel.
 
#14 · (Edited)
76Paw...
" I think there will always be people in this country who take offense no matter how politely you pass them. "
I can't agree more. I see very few *polite* drivers (and NO young ones).
Which is evident by how many slow crawling vehicles that suddenly feel the desire to speed up the moment you grow weary of following them and attempt to pass.

For one thing, almost everyone is already doing 5-10 mph over. What's your hurry?
And motorcycles are hard enough to see in a rear view mirror.
The existing guidelines in CA already denounce this.


Here's a thought... I wonder what the INSURANCE cost would be for the same bike, same rider, same coverage, etc., in states WITH this law... and states without it.
If they DID charge more, that'd be proof that this is a dangerous idea.
THOSE guys look into EVERYTHING! If it's going to cost THEM a dime more, they'll charge YOU 15 cents.

I'll bet that they'd take this into consideration and would charge more where lane splitting is allowed. They'd have to. To make up for YOUR possible bad judgement AND the other guy's too (an opened door, etc.).
There are several studies out there that disprove the apparent danger. Here's one of the more prominent ones:

http://www.ridetowork.org/files/docs/LANE_SHARING_A_GLOBAL_SOLUTION_FOR_MOTORCYCLE_SAFETY.pdf

In a nut shell, the studies depict that it is far more dangerous to be in a position where the motorcyclist can be rear ended versus being side swiped. Consequently, anyone that took a high school drivers ed class also learned this is equally applicable to automobiles.


And also, there'd be more a risk of road rage in those states.
Well, these days nobody really needs another reason to justify road rage, but yeah...agreed. See my opening statement on the matter. ;)

I know that most riders love this idea. Who DOESN'T like VIP treatment?
But I think that the laws and rules-of-the-road should be the same for everyone.
Otherwise... there will always be that jealousy and resent.
It's not so much a VIP treatment rather a solution for congestion (again, my opening statement ;) ). If you force a motorcycle to behave like a Mack truck, you get more congestion. Back in the late 2000's France was considering repealing their lane splitting & filtering laws. Now I probably don't have to tell you or anyone else that European motorcyclists are a different breed from their American counterparts --- they actually utilize bikes as transportation instead of pleasure --- but let's just leave it at the fact that there are far more of them than we have. That's not to say our domestic motorcycle population is insignificant, CA pretty much has more motorcyclists than the rest of the country combined, but we're still a growing segment.

Anyways the cyclists organized a country-wide effort and rebelled at this news, in short they began behaving like everyone else: they would ride in huge packs one per lane and staggered out like automobiles, and did not filter to the front at lights for a week straight. The result: excessive congestion and EVERYONE who operated a motor vehicle was late for work by at least half an hour. The following week they decked themselves out in full riding gear and took public transportation, thus clogging up THAT system as well, and the results were the same: everyone was late for work.

Let's just say that it didn't take long to get the non-cyclists to get behind them in their cause.
 
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#16 · (Edited)
Yes, it would.
And in countries where almost everyone has had a motorcycle past, and still have family members and friends with bikes, I can see where it would work well. It's a big part of their culture.
And that "filter zone" that Shadow Shack mentioned would help, too.

But sadly, that is there... and this is here.
It's not the same.
 
#17 ·
Agreed, different transportation cultures.

They do it their way, we do it ours.

Come on out to CA some time and try it, or not, your choice. Either way, you'll see what it is.
 
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