Posted on 03/31/2010 7:29:11 AM PDT by Dick Holmes
One barrier to widespread adoption of motorcycles as transportation in the USA is that of practical advantage. In most places, two-wheeled transport offers few advantages over the four-wheeled kind. That's partly because unlike almost every other country on Earth, the practice of "lane-splitting"-riding in between lanes of stopped or slow-moving vehicle traffic-is outlawed in what is allegedly the Home of the Free. That means that in every state but California, not only do motorcyclists have to endure the privations of motorcycle travel, they also have to bump along at the maddeningly slow pace of traffic-snarled trucks and automobiles, even though there is little evidence that the practice of lane-splitting (if done in a safe and reasonable fashion) is particularly dangerous.
So kudos to the Arizona legislature for honoring the Goldwater legacy of personal liberty tempered by individual responsibility with Arizona House Bill 2475. Introduced by Harley-Davidson-riding Representative Jerry Weiers (say "wires," R-District 12), the bill will legalize, for a one-year probationary period beginning January 1, 2011, lane-splitting in stopped traffic. It will only apply in counties with populations greater than 2 million (according to 2006 population estimates, this is just Maricopa county, with the Phoenix-Glendale-Scottsdale megalopolis). The bill sailed through the Transportation committee (which Weiers chairs) and the House Rules committee, and has been read to the State Senate as well. It's looking like there is little opposition to the bill so far, which makes sense: those who lean to the left should like the message of encouraging the lower environmental impact of motorcycle transportation, and those on the right should appreciate the individual-rights angle.
(Excerpt) Read more at motorcycledaily.com ...
Do you have any idea how many of you lane-splitters I have almost killed?
Traffic is moving at ten to twenty miles per hour and all off a sudden just as you are about to make a land change, here comes a guy at 30 miles an hour out of nowhere.
As hard as you try, it’s literally impossible to spot folks like this, especially if there’s a slight bend in the road.
As convenient as it may be for you and other bikers, it’s just not worth the risk to your life and limb IMO. And the drivers of cars shouldn’t be exposed to having to feel guilty for taking one of you out by accident for the rest of their lives either.
I did ;-)
Right on brother ....
Boy ,you deserve every bit of disdain anyone has for you and your elitist attitude.
Those stupid cage drivers pay through gas and vehicle taxes for the road you like to ride on.And would you want to guess the percentage of freight hauled by motorcycles?Or how many people are rushed to the hospital by motorcycle?Do you take the motorcycle grocery shopping?Carpool?Load it up for a trip to grandma's or the zoo with the kids?If it breaks down will it be towed to the shop by a motorcycle?
Cars are popular with "stupid cage drivers" because they allow travel in comparative comfort and safety with room for other people and stuff.Motorcyclists ought to be grateful they are allowed to use the same roads as everyone else.
Never ridden in Cali, but the 6 weeks (and 4000 miles) in Germany was a revelation. Drivers actually got out of your way if you were going fast, not like the USA where someone will purposely clog the left lane when they see you coming. A big bike got a lot of respect there, too. You couldn’t just hop on one at 16; you had to spend a couple years on smaller bikes first, and the license tests were no joke, either, also unlike here.
This seems reasonable AS LONG AS: Motorcyclists ALONE accept ALL FINANCIAL LIABILITY for any accidents resulting from a collision that occurs because a lane splitting motocyclist flies out of nowhere into a motorist who has the misfortune of trying to change lanes when the lane-splitter shoots through.
The reason why you “almost” killed them is probably that they saw you and got out of the way in time. You on the other hand need to pay a little more attention.
As for me, I don't trust most car drivers when we each have a full lane, much less splitting lanes with them.
Some of the comments on this thread indicate that distrust is well placed.
Most of the squawking comes from cage (car) drivers that are just jealous that they have to sit in traffic while the bikers zip by.
Yeah, and most of them have air conditioning. Go figure.
whatever.
I wear a skid-lid when I drive the Jeep open top and doors off. I do, seriously.
And I would also like EVERYONE to remember that if we think it’s right or wrong, as freedom-loving patriots we must first default to a stance of liberty and freedom.
A law shouldn’t be passed that allows or dissallows risky behavior, OR (And this is important!) The passing of that law should be handled with the greatest care and thought. (Drinking and Driving is a risky behavior that should be outlawed - Loud stereos in cars ? Not so much. But both have a similar effect)
Thanks! Next time go easy on the sugar!
And you'll have to have a seatbelt added to your motorcycle. Actually, the car IS your helmet; it just fits a little more loosely.
We pay the same taxes ...
And would you want to guess the percentage of freight hauled by motorcycles? How much "freight is hauled by a Toyota ?
Or how many people are rushed to the hospital by motorcycle? I've rushed me to the hospital on my bike
Do you take the motorcycle grocery shopping? ALL the time
Carpool? Bikes are considered a HOV and can use the diamond lanes
Load it up for a trip to grandma's or the zoo with the kids? ALL the time
If it breaks down will it be towed to the shop by a motorcycle? You gonna tow your broke down cage with your Toyota ?
Who's the elitist here ?
That's the only time I did it when I had my bike in California, moving between lanes at about 2 mph to get to the front of a line of traffic at a stop light. When traffic is STOPPED, lane splitting makes sense and is safe when done slowly.
Lane splitting is FINE, depends on the speed. Lane splitting at 5mp fun. Lane splitting at 30mph and up=Russian Roulette.
Who’s the elitist here ?
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I think you are, as the one who feels entitled to rules of the road unavailable to others, for no other reason than your sense of convenience.
Hate to break it to you BUT cars can split lanes in Calif too if there is room. What’s the matter cager ... you didn’t like that I answered the questions on your list in a way you didn’t like
That was to all cagers and not meant to you personally BTW
In Germany, cops ticket slow drivers for impeding the flow of traffic, you don’t find people puttering in the fast lane refusing to move over.
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