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FINALLY - Lane Sharing is supported in CA

I feel as if a weight has been lifted off my motorcycle.

Thanks for all the hard work and persistence!

Time to print up some "Lane Sharing :ride OK" bumper stickers
 
Thank you, gentlemen. Your efforts are most appreciated by many of us.

These guidelines are good recommendations for safe and sane splitting. They are not overly cautious and not too weak. I hope everyone remembers them.
The Message:
Motorcyclists who are competent enough riders to lane split, should follow these general guidelines if choosing to lane split:

1)Travel at a speed that is no more than 10 MPH faster than other traffic – danger increases at higher speed differentials.

2)It is not advisable to lane split when traffic flow is at 30 mph or faster – danger increases as overall speed increases.

3)Typically, it is more desirable to split between the #1 and #2 lanes than between other lanes.

4)Consider the total environment in which you are splitting, including the width of the lanes, size of surrounding vehicles, as well as roadway, weather, and lighting conditions.

5)Be alert and anticipate possible movements by other road users.
 
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Any idea when the CVC's for violating sharing "rules" are going to hit? a la CVC for sharing too fast or in dangerous conditions?

No new laws. No new violations. The posted guidelines are not laws. They are simply a set of suggestions on how to lane share safely and prudently.

Until now there has been no "official" guidance on how to lane share safely and legally. What we have done is provided a best practice/guideline for riders to follow.

This also gives us the ability to educate motorists and law enforcement. It is an opportunity to get all three groups on the same page in regard to the legality of motorcycles lane sharing on our roadways.
 
Its been a long time coming. Its taken a lot of arm twisting, arguing, and frustration. But we have taken a huge leap forward.

Lane Sharing is being supported by two of the big three in California. We have CHP on board and below is a link to their website and the info being distributed. The California Office of Traffic Safety is also supporting the information and should have the info posted on their website soon. The Department of Motor Vehicles has the information at their executive level and reviewing if they will be supporting. If they do we will get the info posted up on their website and begin integrating the info into the car and motorcycle handbooks. CALTRANS has also approved.


http://www.chp.ca.gov/programs/lanesplitting.html short version
http://www.chp.ca.gov/programs/lanesplitguide.html expanded version


What does this mean? We finally have the support of the premier traffic safety organizations in the state to promote lane sharing in California. We finally have an accepted set of "guidelines" to be used to lane share in a safe and acceptable manner.

What's next? Public education!! We will be reaching out to motorcyclists, motorists, and law enforcement. The effort will be to get all three groups on the same page. Motorcyclists need to understand that if they follow the guidelines they can help us promote safe and prudent lane sharing. Motorists will be educated on the fact that lane sharing is legal and supported by the CHP, OTS, and hopefully DMV. Law Enforcement needs to get on board and be tolerant of lane sharing motorcyclists who are sharing within the guidelines.

This is the first giant step in a long and ongoing process. We have been working on this for over two years (yes government works slow) and the obstacles we have had to overcome have been pretty steep.

In the near future you will see public safety alterts (PSAs), public outreach, press releases, videos, and more in an effort to get this data out to all three target groups.

For anyone who says its not enough, or wants to argue with what the guidelines are, take it elsewhere. Its been a long hard fight, and its time to revel in a substantial victory.

Budman has been an active participant in this process, BARF has played a role in data gathering, a few members were involved in some focus groups, and a couple of folks at CHP at the state level have been great advocates.



The Message:
Motorcyclists who are competent enough riders to lane split, should follow these general guidelines if choosing to lane split:

1)Travel at a speed that is no more than 10 MPH faster than other traffic – danger increases at higher speed differentials.

2)It is not advisable to lane split when traffic flow is at 30 mph or faster – danger increases as overall speed increases.

3)Typically, it is more desirable to split between the #1 and #2 lanes than between other lanes.

4)Consider the total environment in which you are splitting, including the width of the lanes, size of surrounding vehicles, as well as roadway, weather, and lighting conditions.

5)Be alert and anticipate possible movements by other road users.
Good show.
It may not be possible, however, I would suggest keeping specific MPH designations out of the negotiations. Once you get into a bright line test...results may vary. I have always been an advocate of the "reasonable" standard. A motor officer certainly knows what is reasonable as far as speed delta is concerned and I think most patrol cops do too.

Course reasonable to me may be different to the average Joe so...be polite, ALWAYS wave to those that make a little room (other drivers will see this was well as giving a thumbs up to those that are helping us out). If you are going too fast to wave, you are probably going too fast. Heck, I virtually never get anyone coming up my 6 and I wave at EVERY car that makes room. If someone signals and wants to change lanes, I slow and let them do so and motion to do so if they hesitate. Added 20 seconds to my drive won't hurt and perhaps another driver won't hate the next guy coming along.
 
Wowzers! Thank you so much John, and all you worked with!

For those that did not notice, the CHP used to have guidelines on 'lane sharing' which is very different from 'lane splitting'. Most of us are probably doing more of that latter, and now we have official guidance stating that is OK.

:woot
 
No new laws. No new violations. The posted guidelines are not laws. They are simply a set of suggestions on how to lane share safely and prudently.

Until now there has been no "official" guidance on how to lane share safely and legally. What we have done is provided a best practice/guideline for riders to follow.

This also gives us the ability to educate motorists and law enforcement. It is an opportunity to get all three groups on the same page in regard to the legality of motorcycles lane sharing on our roadways.

Thank you silversvs, budman and everyone else who helped, for safeguarding this and for getting the info out to everyone. Congratulations.
 
Good show.

Course reasonable to me may be different to the average Joe so...be polite, ALWAYS wave to those that make a little room (other drivers will see this was well as giving a thumbs up to those that are helping us out). If you are going too fast to wave, you are probably going too fast. Heck, I virtually never get anyone coming up my 6 and I wave at EVERY car that makes room. If someone signals and wants to change lanes, I slow and let them do so and motion to do so if they hesitate. Added 20 seconds to my drive won't hurt and perhaps another driver won't hate the next guy coming along.

Yup, good stuff, good "ambassador" behavior. I do the same thing, wave at all courteous drivers. The ones that exaggerate getting out of the way do crack me up; my girlfriend does that now, after having ridden as a passenger with me. I think my splitting is borderline unreasonable at times, so I guess my way of trying to avoid pissing off drivers (who unfortunately have the ability to lobby their legislators and vote) is to wave as much as possible to the conscious ones.
 
..... I would suggest keeping specific MPH designations out of the negotiations. Once you get into a bright line test...results may vary. I have always been an advocate of the "reasonable" standard. A motor officer certainly knows what is reasonable as far as speed delta is concerned and I think most patrol cops do too........
As stated, these guidelines are not laws. You can already be written at a LEO's discretion for unsafe splitting. He could write you for reckless, if he thinks you are riding in such a manner. A motorcycle cop may understand reasonable speed. A patrol car officer may not. The guidelines are good from my extensive splitting experience.
 
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So, practically speaking, nothing changes, right?

Not at all disparaging the effort, this is awesome. Just curious because lane splitting is already legal. Is this just further assurance that it likely won't be made illegal anytime soon, and also an educational thing for riders/drivers/officers?

I'm glad someone else brought this up because I was going to ask this too.

I'm all for official guidance that clarifies the legality of lane splitting. There are, from time to time, officers that don't seem to know lane splitting is permitted - perhaps they are new to CA. This helps make it clear that lane splitting is ok.

What I don't like is specific numbers. First, I don't agree with the specific numbers specified. I firmly believe in most circumstances that the speeds mentioned are more dangerous than higher speeds. Second, while guidelines are good from an advisory standpoint, some officers will use those specific numbers as the law and anyone splitting above 30mph or faster than 10mph above surrounding traffic will be considered unsafe or reckless.

Not for a second do I not appreciate the work in getting this done.
 
John, have I told you that you rule, lately? YOU RULE!!!
 
Thank you for all your hard work! Hopefully CA will set the example for other states to adopt Lane Sharing.
 
LOVE this:

- Intentionally blocking or impeding a motorcyclist in a way that could cause harm to the rider is illegal (CVC 22400).

- Opening a vehicle door to impede a motorcycle is illegal (CVC 22517).
 
This is great news!:thumbup


I hope the PSA's are displayed on the Ambert Alert signs as it was done before in the past.
 
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