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Arizona to Legalize Lane-Splitting, France to Ban it?
motorcycledaily.com ^ | March 30, 2010 | Gabe Ets-Hokin

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 ...


TOPICS: Extended News; Government; News/Current Events; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: freedom; motorcycles
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To: rahbert
"I started riding in CA 40-some years ago, split lanes constantly and never had a problem. I found getting rear-ended or being cut off a far more common experience."

Same here. I had long highway commutes. Never had any kind of issue lane splitting in Ca because it's expected by drivers -except those newbs from out of state that continue to frantically switch back and forth to dead stopped lanes of traffic. They are easily avoided though.

Much more dangerous to bikes is the left hand turn from the on-coming lane.

61 posted on 03/31/2010 8:36:57 AM PDT by moehoward
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To: clamper1797
Seeing as how I am one of maybe 100 million "cage" drivers who just want to get from home to work,shopping,events, or errands safely,I feel pretty common.

I'm not the one demanding special privileges.

Incidentally I recall safety studies that concluded accidents are much less likely if all vehicles are traveling at the same speed ,so 80 mph motorcycles threading through 30 mph car traffic is unwise.

62 posted on 03/31/2010 8:38:59 AM PDT by hoosierham (Waddaya mean Freedom isn't free ?;will you take a credit card?)
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To: Dick Holmes

Some of the most frightening times in my life have occurred since I moved to California. I am a good driver, a damn good driver and 2-3 times a year I am shocked out of my gourd to have a cycle zip past me just when I have been initiating a lane change. I literally have to pull over to get my heart beating normally again.


63 posted on 03/31/2010 8:41:27 AM PDT by Cyman
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To: clamper1797

You can call me, and my fellow automobilers, any name you want. I find it funny, actually.

The list actually wasn’t mine, I responded only to your question about who is taking the elitist position in this argument. It is still my opinion, despite the name calling, that you are taking the elitist position.

You want special rights and privileges for no other reason than your own convenience. Kind of the way Congress enacts laws and exempts themselves. Doesn’t get much more elitist than that.

I don’t share some of the visceral dislike some drivers feel for bikers, I save that visceral dislike for arrogant bicyclists and smokers who throw their butts out of their car windows (as though the entire world is their ashtray).


64 posted on 03/31/2010 8:42:26 AM PDT by dmz
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To: moehoward

That’s one thing I think the cagers don’t understand. Bikers ... and in particular ...bikers who are splitting lanes have a greatly heightened sense of the traffic. We usually see 10 or more cars down the road. We can see the guy who might suddenly change lanes before we get there. We can see the accident getting ready to happen from 100 feet away. We can avoid most incidents with mobility ... it used to be even better without helmets. All that advantage goes away when we have to sit in traffic and risk getting plowed into by a rear ending un-alert cager. I would rather risk that cager on the move than be a sitting duck for him


65 posted on 03/31/2010 8:42:56 AM PDT by clamper1797 (Would you hold my hand ... If I saw you in heaven ... to my angel in heaven)
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To: Celerity

Good point about laws versus risky behavior-but the point is different if the risky behavior puts other people at risk.


66 posted on 03/31/2010 8:43:09 AM PDT by hoosierham (Waddaya mean Freedom isn't free ?;will you take a credit card?)
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To: hoosierham

It’s on the internet look up the Calif study that shows that SAFE lane splitting is safer. My nephew who is a CHP showed it to me. BTW he splits lanes faster than I do


67 posted on 03/31/2010 8:44:56 AM PDT by clamper1797 (Would you hold my hand ... If I saw you in heaven ... to my angel in heaven)
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To: clamper1797

I learned to ride in CA and found it easy to do in very slow moving traffic, but once over 15mph or so, I didn’t do it. I was more paranoid about getting rear-ended in stop-n-go than having to be hyper vigilant while (technically) lane-sharing.

For normal commuting I took a train and walked to work—I hate stop-n-go and purposely picked an apt near a train station.


68 posted on 03/31/2010 8:45:28 AM PDT by Betis70 (Never Forget)
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To: dmz
"Given that the tactic is illegal in most states, your statement is false on its face."

The statement is true in both states where it is legal and those where it is accepted practice. The exception would be the unusually irresponsible bike rider.

69 posted on 03/31/2010 8:45:54 AM PDT by moehoward
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To: Osage Orange
"Then you will be wearing a helmet while you drive your car. "

And bikes would have seat belts.

70 posted on 03/31/2010 8:46:56 AM PDT by moehoward
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To: moehoward

In a car crash you want to stay with the car. In a bike crash you want to get away from the bike. Belts on bikes would be counter-productive ... kinda like helmets


71 posted on 03/31/2010 8:48:34 AM PDT by clamper1797 (Would you hold my hand ... If I saw you in heaven ... to my angel in heaven)
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To: moehoward

Anyone who’s spent time in Bay Area traffic knows motorcyclists rarely hesitate to zip between gridlocked cars. It’s called “lane splitting,” and, to the chagrin of many motorists, California is one of the few states where it’s legal.

Motorcyclists argue that lane splitting, when done carefully, is no more dangerous than riding with the flow of traffic.

“The level of safety is about the same because what you lose in space you make up for in heightened awareness,” said David Peterson, president of the Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club.

A study conducted four years ago by a University of Southern California researcher supports that claim.

The study, commissioned by the U.S. Department of Transportation, concluded that lane splitting is safer than sitting in stop-and-go traffic, where bikers are far more likely to be “sandwiched” between two cars.

“For a motorcyclist, that’s the safest place to be,” Professor Harry Hurt said shortly after releasing his study. “A lot of people think it’s a hazard, but the cold, hard facts are that it’s not.”

Motorcyclists like lane splitting for one simple reason: It whittles down the time spent sitting in traffic.

“Everybody likes to keep moving,” Peterson said. “I save a tremendous amount of time.”

Peterson said lane splitting to the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge toll plaza shaves at least 15 minutes off his commute between El Cerrito and Novato. Other riders said lane splitting halves the time spent riding from the East Bay to San Francisco.

California Highway Patrol officers embrace lane splitting because it allows a quicker response to emergencies. And those who ride air-cooled motorcycles say they have to keep moving to prevent their engines from overheating.


72 posted on 03/31/2010 8:53:58 AM PDT by clamper1797 (Would you hold my hand ... If I saw you in heaven ... to my angel in heaven)
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To: clamper1797

The statement in large part is true. They are more in tune to what’s happening around them because chances are slim they are multi-tasking. The folks in cars are putting on make-up, texting. fiddling with the radio etc etc. Another advantage is the point of view a biker has. They sit higher, so not only can they see a mile down the road, they can see down into the cars and see what the drivers are doing.


73 posted on 03/31/2010 8:57:14 AM PDT by moehoward
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To: clamper1797

of course.


74 posted on 03/31/2010 8:58:12 AM PDT by moehoward
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To: HamiltonJay
Another ticket you can get on the Autobahn is for tailgating. An unmarked car has a proximity sensor in the rear bumper; try riding up on it and [click] the camera snaps your tag. They have done this for quite a while, now.

If you bother to enforce sensible laws, and make sure drivers actually have the skills to drive before they get a license, turns out you don't need speed limits on the superslab.

75 posted on 03/31/2010 9:00:21 AM PDT by Dick Holmes
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To: clamper1797
Perhaps in California only because California drivers are used to it.

I am very sceptical of anything that increases the number or type of hazards the ordinary driver must watch for.

76 posted on 03/31/2010 9:02:38 AM PDT by hoosierham (Waddaya mean Freedom isn't free ?;will you take a credit card?)
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To: clamper1797

Thank you. I was unaware it’s legal in Ca. I believe it was not back when I was riding a bike though. Everyone did it, including motorcycle cops. It wasn’t unusual to see a chain of 6 bikes lane-splitting rush hour traffic one of them being a cop.

Much of the irresponsible antics we see bikers pull these days can be attributed to those “extreme” bike stunt videos all over youtube.


77 posted on 03/31/2010 9:04:14 AM PDT by moehoward
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To: VRWCmember
There is no reason to split lanes, when there is an open lane next to a vehicle.

Most splitting takes place between two cars adjacent to each other.

Your thesis fails. Lane splitters won't often be hit by cars changing lanes (for they can't change lanes, when there is another car next to them), or else it wouldn't be called splitting.(!)

I've only split lanes myself, when traffic came to a crawl, then I would only pass carefully at about 5-10 mph more than the stalled or slow traffic.

Let the rider decide. Then, if the cop says, "hey buddy, too fast, unsafe" the rider can sign, then pay the ticket. If he ain't dead.

78 posted on 03/31/2010 9:05:18 AM PDT by BlueDragon (there is no such thing as a "true" compass, all are subject to both variation & deviation)
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To: Celerity

This is a very dangerous maneuver, and I would not lane-split.
##

Spot on.


79 posted on 03/31/2010 9:06:31 AM PDT by SUSSA
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To: Celerity
(Drinking and Driving is a risky behavior that should be outlawed - Loud stereos in cars ? Not so much. But both have a similar effect)

Are you serious?

80 posted on 03/31/2010 9:07:41 AM PDT by Osage Orange (A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity. - Sigmund Freud)
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