Lane Splitting: Filtering out the Nonsense Because Sharing Is Caring

Lane splitting or filtering is legal in many parts of the world.  Unfortunately, despite what many think, it is still not fully legal anywhere in the United States.  Even California doesn't actually put into writing that lane splitting is legal, it is simply accepted and there is no law that expressly forbids it.  Thanks to a bill that was run through the California assembly, it may soon become fully legalized in the Golden State. Like the legalization of marijuana, this bit of legislation may stand as the first domino in a chain of events that may open up similar legislation in other states.

California seems to have a different attitude towards bikes in that they are more widely accepted as a practical means of transportation.  Likely due to being blessed with "fair" weather almost all year round, it seems that everyone in California rides or most at least know a fair number of people who do.  "Lane sharing" in California started largely due to air cooled bikes needing to stay in motion in order to prevent their engines from overheating and it has been so prevalent that it has simply become embedded in the riding landscape of California roads and highways.   However, many other great benefits come with allowing lane splitting not only to riders, but also to all motorists on the open road.

Among conversations about motorcycle behavior on the roads, lane splitting seems to be one of the most controversial.  There are entire lobby groups and organizations that are proponents of legalizing lane splitting as well as those who are so vehemently opposed to it that they threaten physical harm to those who practice it.  If one were to look at it from a practical standpoint, allowing motorcycles to split lanes decreases congestion for everyone.  As motorcycles would simply move ahead in traffic giving up precious real estate to four wheeled vehicles.  What about from a safety perspective?  Well, this is where it gets a bit tricky.

In 1981 there was the HURT report and more recently there was a study that focused on lane splitting, both of which were case studies that observed motorcycle riding behavior in relation to accidents.  Both reports offer some empirical data which shows that lane splitting could prove to be a safe option which might have little significant overall effect on the safety of riders so long as lane splitting is done in a prudent manner.  However, there are tertiary factors when determining the safety of a rider when performing these maneuvers.  As most places in the United States does not allow lane splitting, it catches most car drivers by surprise when sitting in traffic to have a motorcycle whiz by and it often leaves them flustered.  Besides the very real possibility of incidents brought on by "road rage" which no one can predict there's also the issue of awareness. Just like riding in early spring, car drivers aren't used to motorcycles being on the road let alone filtering along between lanes and I can imagine there might be some "growing pains" if the legalization of lane splitting becomes widespread.  

They say change is never easy.  Lobby groups around the country have been putting an effort in trying to push towards the legalization of lane splitting and numerous public petitions have been signed and submitted to little avail... so far.  It seems that the issue is being stirred up, however and we can only hope that the overall effort will come to some amount of fruition.