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FINALLY - Lane Sharing is supported in CA

Reli said:
I wasn't talking about using the bicycle lane, I was talking about splitting up to the stoplight on a road where there's only one lane in each direction. Some riders seem to think that splitting is only OK when there's more than one lane -- I disagree. As long as there's enough room to do it without crossing any lines, I don't see the problem.
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With single lane traffic, that would fall under "lane sharing", yes? and I agree, if there is room, go to the front. :dunno
 
Having a camera mounted to your motorcycle or your helmet is still a good idea. I just totalled my 929rr because I was splitting lanes in the danville area. I was going maybe 10 miles over the flow of traffic when lady changed lanes from the #1 to the #2 and decided to stop on the line (impeding a motorcyclist) as it says in the guideline. She informed the insurance company that she had already completed her lane change when the video shows she did not. The chp said it was my fault, so the insurance company aligned with the police report, but they didnt ask to see the video. I had to submit it along with a letter for reconsideration. Get a action cam if you are splitting lanes and always have it on. Mine was the cheapy vivitar that records in 5 minute increments with overlapping. records in hd and is really clear. Always cover your ass.
 
pgadlin said:
She informed the insurance company that she had already completed her lane change when the video shows she did not. The chp said it was my fault, so the insurance company aligned with the police report, but they didnt ask to see the video. I had to submit it along with a letter for reconsideration.
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You haven't indicated if that actually made a difference.

Did they change their opinion due to the video?
 
pgadlin said:
Having a camera mounted to your motorcycle or your helmet is still a good idea. I just totalled my 929rr because I was splitting lanes in the danville area. I was going maybe 10 miles over the flow of traffic when lady changed lanes from the #1 to the #2 and decided to stop on the line (impeding a motorcyclist) as it says in the guideline. She informed the insurance company that she had already completed her lane change when the video shows she did not. The chp said it was my fault, so the insurance company aligned with the police report, but they didnt ask to see the video. I had to submit it along with a letter for reconsideration. Get a action cam if you are splitting lanes and always have it on. Mine was the cheapy vivitar that records in 5 minute increments with overlapping. records in hd and is really clear. Always cover your ass.
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AND? How did it turn out?
 
couldn't leave well enough alone

silversvs said:
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.
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Great a bunch of new reasons/laws to get ticketed for.
 
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Uh, what? None of what John posted (that you quoted) are laws. They're guidelines. You can't cite someone for not following a guideline.
 
Kornholio said:
You can't cite someone for not following a guideline.
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If the guidelines are for safe splitting and the biker isn't splitting safely, then it opens the door for reckless driving. But neither or there. John's post has nuthin' to do with opening the flood gates for countless opportunities for tickets. That's just nonsense.

Actually, akin to smoking, if regs aren't in place, it'll be a privilege further eroded and eventually extinct.
 
So the way it went was that the chp decided to put me at fault saying that I was traveling too fast for conditions. They didnt put in the accident report the fact that the lady in the other car didnt have enough room to complete her lane change so she stopped on the line impeding motorcyclists which violates california vehicle code 22400 which states that no motorist can impede a motorcyclist as to cause harm to the rider. They also didnt put down that her left brake light was alot dimmer than the right one which is also a violation of the california vehicle code which states that stop lamps should be visible at 300 feet in day or night time. The insurance company decided to align itself with the accident report. they didnt ask for my video. so I provided it to them after I got my "at fault" letter. I am waiting to hear back from their reconsideration department because clearly I should not have been found at fault.
 
Personally I think you're grasping to find her at fault for those two codes. It sucks that you were found at fault, but in this case I doubt you're going to sway the insurance company. Glad you weren't hurt though.
 
EastBayDave said:
the question needs to BE ON THE CA DRIVERS LICENSE TEST.

Only then, will vehicle drivers be aware of the law or practice.
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And how often do you take the CA Driver License test?

The last time I took it was 1988. Maybe it would help new drivers be aware that lane splitting is legal, but adding it to the test won't help at all for everybody else.
 
ScottRNelson said:
And how often do you take the CA Driver License test?

The last time I took it was 1988. Maybe it would help new drivers be aware that lane splitting is legal, but adding it to the test won't help at all for everybody else.
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been a few decades....:teeth

my point being, if it's on the test & they get it wrong, they WILL remember it.
 
Awesome work!!! Let us know what else needs to be done to forward this!
 
Message boards on 880 are showing the "Love your local motorcyclist." again. Month of May being "motorcycle safety awareness month".
 
CA Mission 12 and the State in action Ray!! :cool

Nice to see you post sir.
 
What happened to the published guidelines linked to in the OP? The links are dead and I can't find the official page/document on the CHP site or anywhere else on the web.
 
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Driving down 880 a rider passes by lane sharing.

He was honking his horn the whole way.

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP thumb cramp BEEP BEEP

I see something new every day.
 
thedub said:
What happened to the published guidelines linked to in the OP? They links are dead and I can't find the official page/document on the CHP site or anywhere else on the web.
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No idea. The video PSA is deleted from YouTube as well. I've sent a few emails to contacts to see what I can find out. Anyone else know anything?
 
thedub said:
What happened to the published guidelines linked to in the OP? They links are dead and I can't find the official page/document on the CHP site or anywhere else on the web.
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Surj said:
No idea. The video PSA is deleted from YouTube as well. I've sent a few emails to contacts to see what I can find out. Anyone else know anything?
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That doesn't sound good. Hopefully just a mistake.
 
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