FINALLY - Lane Sharing is supported in CA

[budman]

Done!

BTW -- another study on the cause of LS accidents is being funded. This will not provide additional data on new accidents. It is going into a more in depth analysis of existing data to try to expand the knowledge on how the accidents take place. This could help educate riders in particular. At least that is my hope from it.
I expect info to come out next year... at some point.

[gixxerjeff]

Originally Posted by budman

Done!

BTW -- another study on the cause of LS accidents is being funded. This will not provide additional data on new accidents. It is going into a more in depth analysis of existing data to try to expand the knowledge on how the accidents take place. This could help educate riders in particular. At least that is my hope from it.
I expect info to come out next year... at some point.

Just lemme know when you're gonna head back to the DNA Lounge for further celebration.

[budman]

Sounds like a plan.!!

[LittleBigGirl]

From both a rider's and a driver's perspective, I think EVERYONE would benefit from a little re-programming/training about lanesplitting safety and "laws".

They should include lanesharing safety training in driver's education training and the MSP, as an added safety feature. This should also be part of a DMV + CHP media advisory and ongoing campaign, without much added to the state budget, seriously...

But back to drivers... I have noticed some really aggressive behavior recently and I am convinced it's due to our shakey political climate, but that doesn't matter. The point is, DRIVERS NEED TO BE TRAINED. I know it's OUR responsibility as riders to keep ourselves safe, but a little re-programming on the part of driver's ed/CHP/DMV wouldn't hurt at all. AND it would so easy to do.

I know they discussed this a little bit at the CHP meeting a few months ago in Sacramento, but I think it's imperative that the initiative start sooner rather than later.

[budman]

Originally Posted by LittleBigGirl

From both a rider's and a driver's perspective, I think EVERYONE would benefit from a little re-programming/training about lanesplitting safety and "laws".

Totally agree.

They should include lanesharing safety training in driver's education training and the MSP, as an added safety feature.
I proposed this two years ago and it became an action item with the SHSP and assigned to the DMV. This year after little follow through (people not showing up to meetings and no info shared) we got some excuses and it was put on hold. I complained and at the meeting last week put them on notice that I want this to come back and we need to find someone who can be more dedicated to it. Seems they hand the action to someone who has other full time duties and that person cannot make time to work on it. After a year of frustration and no info at least we now know it was a fail.

This should also be part of a DMV + CHP media advisory and ongoing campaign, without much added to the state budget, seriously...

There are informational posters being located in the DMV locations. One geared to Motorcycles and one geared towards drivers.
This was again a suggestion via barf at the CMSP Advisory commitee on how to spend the 1.2 Million of extra $$$ that were broken loose by additional suggestions to said committee. The media campaign has a 800K budget and much of the work is done. We just need the guidelines to launch to launch the campaign.

But back to drivers... I have noticed some really aggressive behavior recently and I am convinced it's due to our shakey political climate, but that doesn't matter. The point is, DRIVERS NEED TO BE TRAINED. I know it's OUR responsibility as riders to keep ourselves safe, but a little re-programming on the part of driver's ed/CHP/DMV wouldn't hurt at all. AND it would so easy to do.

I know they discussed this a little bit at the CHP meeting a few months ago in Sacramento, but I think it's imperative that the initiative start sooner rather than later.

There ya go.. it was nice to see you at the meeting...

There are two distinct pieces to the moto safety effort.
1. SHSP CA Motorcycle Safety Committee
2. CMSP Advisory Committee

SHSP comes up with actions that the State can implemented with the Federal funding for moto safety that lands with the OTS (office of traffic safety). They also do some grants -- the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Authority/ Vision Zero campaign is one of those. If you live in the City you will start to see some stuff on that soon. Several barfers were key in working with them to get this launched. It was successful enough that they have received two more years of funding for it.

CMSP reviews the training program and has now become a more active safety elements. Getting the 1.2 M released for awareness is an example. The fund was growing and man I was getting nervous the Jerry dude would grab it for the general fund. That will be on going and includes the big media push.

There were other ideas presented via barf. In fact we had more than any other member by a mile. One I am very fond of and I believe will move forward is - Adding Lane Splitting to the advanced CMSP class and also establishing an online lane spitting training tool. These sort of things require continuing pressure as I have found it is easy for them to fade away because they take hard work to establish and the state likes to take quicker actions - thus showing some success.

To that regard I have a safety vest committee meeting in 20 minutes so I am

[ScottRNelson]

Originally Posted by LittleBigGirl

But back to drivers... I have noticed some really aggressive behavior recently and I am convinced it's due to our shakey political climate, but that doesn't matter. The point is, DRIVERS NEED TO BE TRAINED. I know it's OUR responsibility as riders to keep ourselves safe, but a little re-programming on the part of driver's ed/CHP/DMV wouldn't hurt at all. AND it would so easy to do.

I received my California Driver License in 1988. I Haven't been required to do anything other than get a couple of new photos taken and give them a thumbprint since then. No training whatsoever.

Until California starts making you take a written test and maybe even a driving test once in a while, what you're asking for is never going to happen.

[DataDan]

Here is an article on lane splitting today in The Malibu Times, an independent newspaper in Malibu: Motorcycle Accidents: Is Lane Splitting to Blame?

A motorcycle accident on Pacific Coast Highway early last week caused big delays driving into the city during the morning rush hour. Though details were hazy, it appeared the rider was splitting lanes of stop-and-go traffic and got into an accident near the intersection of PCH and Las Tunas in far Eastern Malibu. As Malibu commuters know, motorcycle accidents are fairly common, both on PCH and canyon roads. Malibu’s beauty and climate attract bikers from all around the world, but traffic means it is not always the safest place to ride.

With the motorcycle rider suffering serious injuries, The Malibu Times decided to delve into the controversial practice of lane splitting.

Yeah, I know: Fucking rich L.A. beach fucks. Fuck 'em! But it might be worth understanding how their traffic can be affected by motorcycle crashes.

The City of Malibu covers most of the coast between Sunset Blvd and the Ventura County line, about 20 miles of SR-1, Pacific Coast Highway. There are no alternate routes through town, so they're touchy about crashes that slow traffic or, worse, close lanes. Malibu is an incorporated city, but they contract with the L.A. County Sheriff for law enforcement, including traffic.

IMHO it's a fair article. The LEO quoted is reasonable, and they include motorcyclist viewpoint too.

[budman]

Fair but has some inaccuracies. I don't know the area but I would guess it has a mix of tourists thrown in once in a while. I bet there has been some car accidents that has screwed up the commute too. I wonder if they write about those?

Thanks for sharing Dan.

[TheRiddler]

Originally Posted by LittleBigGirl

But back to drivers... I have noticed some really aggressive behavior recently and I am convinced it's due to our shakey political climate, but that doesn't matter. The point is, DRIVERS NEED TO BE TRAINED. I know it's OUR responsibility as riders to keep ourselves safe, but a little re-programming on the part of driver's ed/CHP/DMV wouldn't hurt at all. AND it would so easy to do.

I know they discussed this a little bit at the CHP meeting a few months ago in Sacramento, but I think it's imperative that the initiative start sooner rather than later.

Roughly 1 in 5 people I stopped in the bay area were unlicensed/suspended/revoked. I'd like to start even more basic by getting them off the road.

[FreeRyde]

Originally Posted by TheRiddler

Roughly 1 in 5 people I stopped in the bay area were unlicensed/suspended/revoked. I'd like to start even more basic by getting them off the road.

This.

[budman]

A lot for history and good shit on lane splitting
Check here:
http://lanesplittingislegal.com/resources-links

[DJNick]

Interesting last bullet point especially since most here consider this to be rude.

Help drivers see you by wearing brightly colored/reflective protective gear and using high beams during daylight.

[budman]

Well....using high beams during daylight is legal, recommended and yes still feels rude. Push the cager/gentleman out out of you.

Light em up while splitting in daylight.
Better than revving the shit out of your shit.

I never remember to hit the high beams on purpose.

[Enchanter]

I've been riding with highbeams during the day damn near 100% of the time since 1985.

Anecdotal evidence: Over all this time I've had many conversations with other motorcyclists, some that take more risk (ride faster), some that take less, and I've noticed that I appear to have had less issues with other vehicles violating my right of way than they have had.

I agree that there are many other things that could be a part of this, but I'm still a firm believer in highbeams during daylight hours.

[ScottRNelson]

Originally Posted by Enchanter

Anecdotal evidence: Over all this time I've had many conversations with other motorcyclists, some that take more risk (ride faster), some that take less, and I've noticed that I appear to have had less issues with other vehicles violating my right of way than they have had.

And I don't ever ride with high beams when it would be annoying to other road users and have had very few right of way violations by other vehicles. In fact, I can't think of a single case since I've been a BARF member.

Save the high beams for when you're not close to other traffic and put your efforts into identifying threats before they can violate your right of way.