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*The definitive laneSHARING thread*

JPM said:
Lane sharing at that speed is questionable; acceptable speeds are usually 0-25 MPH. And if you have to accelerate above the posted speed limit to make the pass it is definitely illegal.
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To be clear, and this goes all the way back to post #6 of this thread.. there is nothing in the code that gives a specific speed difference. You will not find a code section that states what it written above. JPM is giving his opinion as to what he preceives as "safe and prudent" lanesharing practices. If you (in the opinion of the stopping/citing/investigating officer) are in in violation of the basic speed law (unsafe speed for conditions) or any other specific law (straddling, unsafe lane change, following too closely, failure to signal lane change, unsafe passing), you can be cited for same (even multiple violations or reckless if the officer feels the cumulative result was reckless). But, in an of itself, lanesharing is legal.

That said, I think the most relevant California Vehicle Code section pertaining to laneharing is 21754 CVC, which states: The driver of a motor vehicle may overtake and pass to the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions:
(a) When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn.
(b) Upon a highway within a business or residence district with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles in the direction of travel.
(c) Upon any highway outside of a business or residence district with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width and clearly marked for two or more lines of moving traffic in the direction of travel.
(d) Upon a one-way street.
(e) Upon a highway divided into two roadways where traffic is restricted to one direction upon each of such roadways.
The provisions of this section shall not relieve the driver of a slow moving vehicle from the duty to drive as closely as practicable to the right hand edge of the roadway.

The reason I find this section so pertinent is that in sections (b) and (c) above, it says in is okay to pass on the right if there is sufficient room. As far as I can tell, this is the only section in the CVC that addresses sufficient room for passing within the same lane.
 
motorman4life said:
That said, I think the most relevant California Vehicle Code section pertaining to laneharing is 21754 CVC, which states: The driver of a motor vehicle may overtake and pass to the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions:
(a) When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn.
(b) Upon a highway within a business or residence district with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles in the direction of travel.
(c) Upon any highway outside of a business or residence district with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width and clearly marked for two or more lines of moving traffic in the direction of travel.
(d) Upon a one-way street.
(e) Upon a highway divided into two roadways where traffic is restricted to one direction upon each of such roadways.
The provisions of this section shall not relieve the driver of a slow moving vehicle from the duty to drive as closely as practicable to the right hand edge of the roadway.

The reason I find this section so pertinent is that in sections (b) and (c) above, it says in is okay to pass on the right if there is sufficient room. As far as I can tell, this is the only section in the CVC that addresses sufficient room for passing within the same lane.
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I once took a traffic school class in Redwood City to get a ticket erased from my redord (85 mph on 280!, told the arresting officer I was clearing the sparkplugs on my kawasaki 500 triple), and passing on the right was discussed in the class.
According to the officer doing the class, it meant passing in a lane to the right, not passing in the same lane on the right, or on the right shoulder.
It's my understanding that riding on the shoulder still isn't tolerated in California. If someone does pass a car (from the right) that's in the right lane but tries to stay within that lane ala the current interpretation of "lane sharing", would that be ignored?

This is still an issue that ought be spelled out in the vehicle code. Oregon actually had a bill in commitee that would have defined conditions under which motorcycles could pass between lines of traffic. I haven't heard the fate of that law yet.
 
being an ex local pd officer and a sheriffs dep. its always been a gray area. if I was in traffic in my unit, and someone lanesplit passed me drawing no other attention than the sight of his bike, well...so be it.. but if you drew attention to yourself, now, you're a personal project.

lanesplit safely.
 
Bad Santa said:
Think the CHP would consider this "safe and prudent"?

Lane splitting in Japan:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-MtXymQkjs&search=motorcycle
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Very cool video. It's snug because the cars squeeze together on that two-lane road boxed in on either side. But it isn't too much different from what I go through in spots during commut to SFO every day (e.g., Van Ness is like this sometimes, as is the South end of San Rafael through the construction area). I love that stuff. I get up on my days off and ride the commut into the City and back just to be in heavy traffic. Nothing else comes close. Sick. But I'll come back on highway 1, weaving my way up to the Russian River, hanging-off. That's fun too, but not nearly as much fun as riding in ultra-heavy traffic. And in some ways, the heavier the traffic the safer...because there are no slots for drivers to lane-change into. It's when traffic starts to thin out a little that I get anxious. Otherwise, you only have to worry about being squashed or smacked in the head with a rear view mirror.
 
motorman4life said:
In accordance with 20002 and 16025(a) CVC, you are required to provide your insurance and other information (see below)whenever there is an accident resulting in any damage, regardless of fault. Failure to stop is hit and run, if there is any damage or injury, even if it was not your fault.

You can make up prepared cards to carry with you and hand to the driver if there is damage. Stop, check for damage/injuries. Ask them if they want to provide their info (exchange) or if they agree to blow it off. "I'll fix mine, you fix yours, okay?" If you get a positive repsonse and there are no injuries, you are in the wind.

If there are no injuries and they want to exchange info, hand them a prepared card that has what is required (below) and take off before the cops get called or arrive (particulalry if it is your fault). If they choose to make a counter report, per 20015, there can be no official determination of fault. If total damage is under $750, then no DMV (SR-1) accident report is required.


16025. (a) Every driver involved in the accident shall, unless rendered incapable, exchange with any other driver or property owner involved in the accident and present at the scene, all of the following information:
(1) Driver's name and current residence address, driver's license number, vehicle identification number, and current residence address of registered owner.
(2) Evidence of financial responsibility, as specified in Section
16020. If the financial responsibility of a person is a form of
insurance, then that person shall supply the name and address of the insurance company and the number of the insurance policy.
(b) Any person failing to comply with all of the requirements of
this section is guilty of an infraction punishable by a fine not to
exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

20002. (a) The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident
resulting only in damage to any property, including vehicles, shall
immediately stop the vehicle at the nearest location that will not
impede traffic or otherwise jeopardize the safety of other motorists. Moving the vehicle in accordance with this subdivision does not affect the question of fault. The driver shall also immediately do either of the following:
(1) Locate and notify the owner or person in charge of that
property of the name and address of the driver and owner of the
vehicle involved and, upon locating the driver of any other vehicle
involved or the owner or person in charge of any damaged property, upon being requested, present his or her driver's license, and vehicle registration, to the other driver, property owner, or person in charge of that property. The information presented shall include the current residence address of the driver and of the registered owner. If the registered owner of an involved vehicle is present at the scene, he or she shall also, upon request, present his or her driver's license information, if available, or other valid identification to the other involved parties.
(2) Leave in a conspicuous place on the vehicle or other propertydamaged a written notice giving the name and address of the driver and of the owner of the vehicle involved and a statement of the circumstances thereof and shall without unnecessary delay notify the police department of the city wherein the collision occurred or, if the collision occurred in unincorporated territory, the local headquarters of the department of the California Highway Patrol.
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Thanks, the prepared info is a great idea.
 
WFO said:
Funny - When I was riding back from Laguna Seca on the Friday practice day, I got stuck in the traffic between Castroville and Pajaro (Highway 1 is only two opposing lanes on this stretch.) Three CHPs on Beamers road past everyone on the shoulder. There were never any incidents further up the road when it turned back into freeway. I love how cops break the law whenever it suits them.
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Yeah, I tuck in right behind them. But not too close, as they'll get a little nerving, sometimes.
 
so call me dumb but i didnt want to read every single post...could someone let me know if sharing is prohibited or not up to a light? i figure from what i read that it is not. but im still unsure...i get scared when i see police up at the front of a light. im still new forgive me.
 
SDEddie said:
so call me dumb but i didnt want to read every single post...could someone let me know if sharing is prohibited or not up to a light? i figure from what i read that it is not. but im still unsure...i get scared when i see police up at the front of a light. im still new forgive me.
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Agreed - there are lots of posts. But there's a handy "Search this Thread" feature near the top, that will search for specific things within the thread.

That said, I think post #9 and many others like it in this thread will accurately answer your question.
 
SDEddie said:
so call me dumb but i didnt want to read every single post...
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Not dumb, maybe lazy.

Just start with the first post and you'll eventually find your answer.

The reason it's a sticky is to make it easier to find the answer rather than searching through probably a hundred posts discussing it.

Short answer? Depends....
 
Last edited:
I know this topic is like :deadhorse. I did a search, skimmed through this thread and the threads linked but did not find what I was looking for. I have not had much success doing a google search for filtering or lane sharing studies, except for the hurt report and one from Italy. What I am looking for are studies from the UK Japan or other countries that allow filtering. I have a speech coming up next week to try and persuade my classmates to adopt my point of view that filtering should be allowed in all 50 states. Any help or links provided would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Jimi
 
BIGJIM510 said:
What I am looking for are studies from the UK Japan or other countries that allow filtering. I have a speech coming up next week to try and persuade my classmates to adopt my point of view that filtering should be allowed in all 50 states. Any help or links provided would be greatly appreciated.
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I would start by checking out http://www.laneshare.org/ and maybe contact them to see if they have more. I believe a couple of western states have attempted to legalize lanesharing (aka: flitering) on motorcycles in recent years and there may be study data that was referenced in the legislative package. If you can find the author of the legislation (whether it passed or not), you may be able to get a great deal of research material from them.

Keep us posted here!
 
motorman4life said:
I would start by checking out http://www.laneshare.org/ and maybe contact them to see if they have more. I believe a couple of western states have attempted to legalize lanesharing (aka: flitering) on motorcycles in recent years and there may be study data that was referenced in the legislative package. If you can find the author of the legislation (whether it passed or not), you may be able to get a great deal of research material from them.

Keep us posted here!
Click to expand...

Thanks MM4L! I had already done my speech a month and a half ago but will share what I found. According to laneshare.org Mass, Nevada, Oregon, Texas and Wash have attempted to approve lane filtering(my preferred term) and according to timberwoof.com Germany is one of the only countries to have an actual ruling on it in the EU. I also used info from bike-law.com. The Aussies did a study published by the National Transport Commision of Australia referred to as the Oxford Systematic Report as researche by the Monash University Accident Research Center. The Hurt report gave some info about m/c being rear ended and right of way violation accidents. I also used some research from the Australian Bureau of Transport Economics. I will try to update with links when I find them and if wanted can post or e-mail my outline for the speech I gave, if I do that use it for research please do not plagarize or pass off as your own.
 
OK, so I can pass on the left OR the right, as long as I do it safely, within the limit lines, or at least as safely as any officer nearby might deem appropriate.

So, basically it comes down to the nearest officer's perception of your maneuver, safe or not, and how badly you are willing to confront said officer with a judge... based on what you read on BARF.

What about passing on the right, when there is an unoccupied bus lane between traffic and the limit line? EG, traffic is stopped so I pass 4 cars using the empty bus lane on the right?

I got nailed for that, and it was $400. 'Cause I'm a menace, apparently.
 
If you were in the bus-only lane, then you are not lanesharing lawfully.

Do NOT pass go, do NOT collect $200. :twofinger
 
Question (yes I read much of the thread)

So I'm going home on 280N toward the Bay Bridge on Friday. It's rush hour and it's pretty much bumper to bumper traffic, cars going about 10mph. I'm in the carpool lane the whole time going between 15-20mph and cars are moving over for me and allowing me to pass (was a hot day and my engine was at around 230f) in the carpool lane only, note I was not changing lanes at all. A motorcycle CHP pulls up next to me and yells/snarls etc. "GET IN THE LANE!" as he continues to split the other lanes to get through traffic.

Was I doing something wrong to encourage him to yell at me? Was it that I was lanesharing in front of a CHP officer? I just don't understand the reason for yelling at me to get in a lane.

Do I
a) Get in the lane and let my bike overheat in traffic
b) continue to laneshare, safely and prudently

Can I get some input?
 
[Shrug]

Maybe he didn't like how you were holding him up, if that's what you were doing.

I would have followed him on my bike. A motor LEO in bumper-to-bumper traffic is like seeing Moses before the parting Red Sea -- fun to watch and to follow in his wake. :)
 
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