EXISTING FEDERAL LAW requires, under the Federal Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982, states to permit motorcycles in HOV facilities unless their presence creates a safety hazard.
When motorcycles were first allowed to use HOV lanes, signs were needed to inform riders and motorists alike. Now, however, as signs get damaged or worn out, Caltrans does not replace them. In fact, Caltrans' "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 2003," indicates that the use of the "Motorcycles OK" signs has been deleted from the list of allowable signs.
Caltrans typically prefers to limit the number of signs placed on the highways, if at all possible, for at least a couple of reasons:
a) To reduce the exposure of its maintenance workers in replacing signs; and,
b) To reduce distractions to motorists.
GOVERNOR'S VETO MESSAGE
"This bill would require that the Department of Transportation or a local authority post signs wherever a motorcycle is permitted upon high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. This would necessitate a significant expenditure to post and replace such signs on the state's highway systems. Additionally, no data has been established to indicate that confusion over whether a motorcycle can or cannot use HOV lanes is a widespread problem. The need for this costly signage program has not been conclusively established."
