Phytrax
Zone Head
Posts: 526
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posted October 29, 2006 02:10 PM
Lane splitting
I just noticed on ama-cycle.org that lane splitting is not illegal in MS. It's not necessary legal, but it's not mentioned in the laws it seems. I'm not too excited about riding between cars when traffic is moving but I wonder if I'd get a ticket for pulling up to a stoplight on the center line. They can't cite me for lane splitting obviously but I guess they could call it wreckless driving or something. Anyone have any experience with this?
I only know of one motorcycle cop in my town, but next time I catch him I'm going to ask him about this.
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Concourse14- Corbin Seat, Candy Apple Red Paint, Area P Slip-On
RIP+ZX-14- Brock's Gen3, Heli Risers, Corbin Bags, Corbin Seat and Oval Backrest (Burgandy Snakeskin and black alligator), Muzzys Frame Sliders, flies out, 18t front sprocket, PC3, Puig Double Bubble, Pirelli Diablo Strada's
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TJ
Zone Head
Posts: 604
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posted October 29, 2006 02:24 PM
Lane splitting/sharing is legal here in California. In fact, it's a part of everyday life. Cars here are generally courteous and make room.
However, even in CA where car drivers are very used to splitters, it can be very dangerous. I don't think I'd even try it in any other state (where cars might not know what you are doing).
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ninja14
Pro
Posts: 1136
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posted October 29, 2006 03:24 PM
The MS law may mention it, but probably does not because usually 2 vehicles can't fit in one lane..............bikes were probably not a consideration. My understanding is that only here in CA is it legal. Ask your local Highway Patrol and get the real answer.........
I do it here a lot, but it does depend on the situation..............I am in SoCal.......
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TJ
Zone Head
Posts: 604
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posted October 29, 2006 04:46 PM
I would add that in any state where there is not a specific law forbidding lane sharing, it could most likely be considered reckless driving.
Just because something is not specifically illegal won't mean you will get away with it 
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Bently
Needs a life
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Posts: 5428
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posted October 29, 2006 04:56 PM
I also thought californa was the only state that allowed it.
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mugsymd
Expert Class
Posts: 169
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posted October 29, 2006 05:33 PM
Illegal here in Virginia according to the local cops
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1987 Red/White Ninja 750
1988 K1
1991 FatBoy
2004 VROD
2005 K1200S
2006 ZX-14 - Red
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zerMATT
Pro
Posts: 1931
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posted October 29, 2006 05:49 PM
 Edited By: zerMATT on 29 Oct 2006 17:50
State law doesn't have to say lane splitting is specifically "illegal" since it's only legal to travel in one lane of traffice at a time. It's a basic traffic law that you must maintain your vehicle in one lane unless you are changing from one lane to another - motorcycle or car, it doesn't matter.
Don't think I'm right? Try driving your car or motorcycle down *any* line on the highway - dotted line, solid while line, yellow line... take your pick. I gaurantee that if a cop sees you doing that for any amount of time, you'll get pulled over and charged with whatever they call their "failure to stay in one lane" law.
Lane splitting is only on the books as a law in California. It was done to promote the use of motorcycle's for commuting to reduce smog in SoCal. Apparently no other state has has the pollution problem that SoCal does (most of us aren't in a basin that traps pollution and fog), so it's just not a priority for local lawmakers.
Texas has tried to get a lane splitting law passed a couple of times now, but it's flopped every time. Even so, it wouldn't be like California's law - previous attempts have only allowed for lane splitting ONLY when traffic flow is less than 20mph, and even then you can ONLY travel at 5mph faster than existing traffic. Sure, we've got heavy traffic in the DFW area, but rarely are we at a standstill for long periods of time like SoCal seems to be on a regular basis.
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Phytrax
Zone Head
Posts: 526
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posted October 29, 2006 07:20 PM
Pulling up to a red light between cars is hardly reckless, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't call it that. Other states around me, ie. LA, AL seem to specifically prohibit lane sharing and lane splitting. Mississippi seems to have a total lack of any reference to motorcyles other than requiring helmets and insurance.
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Concourse14- Corbin Seat, Candy Apple Red Paint, Area P Slip-On
RIP+ZX-14- Brock's Gen3, Heli Risers, Corbin Bags, Corbin Seat and Oval Backrest (Burgandy Snakeskin and black alligator), Muzzys Frame Sliders, flies out, 18t front sprocket, PC3, Puig Double Bubble, Pirelli Diablo Strada's
KX450F - kickstand
>>> MySpace --CLICK-- <<<
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zerMATT
Pro
Posts: 1931
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posted October 29, 2006 08:07 PM
I don't think the proposed TX law even mentioned pulling up at red lights, but that would probably be the most beneficial to me if they did. I think the verbiage that they used only addressed multi-lane, limited access freeways - not surface streets with lights. That sure would be cool though...
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'06 Passion Red ZX-14 | Black D&D Slip-ons | Speedo Healer | V1 | zumo 550 | Heli-Risers | PhantomX
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INTIMIDA2OR
Needs a life
RED rider!
Posts: 13081
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posted October 29, 2006 08:47 PM
At any rate seeing a sight like this would for the moment make me think twice about sharing a lane 
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'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted October 29, 2006 09:03 PM
(cough) Oh I know none of us would ever break the law such as speed, split lanes, or even park in an illegal spot during a twistie ride break in the mountains!
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'08 R1 YAMAHA
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SanteeZX14
Parking Attendant
Posts: 23
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posted October 29, 2006 10:25 PM
Actually in California it's not legal - it's just not Illeagle, and yes there is a differance. The rules are determined by the arresting officer at the time of the offense. It may be passing on the left - aggresive driving, to many lane changes, unsafe operation of a motor vehicle. Generally speaking to stay out of trouble the 'rule of thumb' is:
1) Only split between lanes 1 and 2 (left most lanes) this is because there are fewer cars changing lanes.
2) No chicanes - keep lane changing to a minimum.
3) surrounding traffic should be below 30mph
4) You speed should not be faster than 10mph over the surrounding traffic.
The sharing/splitting rules have been around for decades, it wasn't done for smog but has been around for so long no one can remember why it's allowed.
And I know that's someone is going to say they split every day at 60mph and have never had a problem - naw, you just haven't been caught....
Also, since the rules are up to interrpretation the CHP rules and City rules may be differant. I know that in San Diego if your caught splitting in town you've had it.
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2006 ZX14 (Faster RED Version)
2004 EX250 (Baby Ninja)
2003 ZRX (Green of course)
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INTIMIDA2OR
Needs a life
RED rider!
Posts: 13081
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posted October 29, 2006 10:33 PM
Edited By: INTIMIDA2OR on 29 Oct 2006 22:35
In the pic i was letting the cop open up the lanes for me while i followed behind.
Later on he pulled into traffic and allowed me to go ahead and open the lanes for him 
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'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
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UK_ZZR1400
Parking Attendant
Posts: 3
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posted October 30, 2006 12:43 AM
....how on earth did you get in the situation where 'lane splitting' was illegal?
Our roads are so crowded in the UK that you might just as well drive a 'tin box' if you had to wait in line!
I must overtake 2 - 300 vehicles in my 20 mile commute into work, at least 80% by lane splitting coming up to traffic lights and where the lanes are slow moving or stationary.
Journey time is 25-35 minutes by bike, 65-80 minutes by car!
Car drivers in the UK and Europe are generally very aware of bikes coming up behind and most go out of there way to move over and make space for you to pass.
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ninja14
Pro
Posts: 1136
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posted October 30, 2006 12:46 AM
I have both follwed cops through traffic and passed cruisers and bikes that were stopped........
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SoCal ZX-14 Rider
Expert Class
Posts: 351
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posted October 30, 2006 12:42 PM
quote:
Actually in California it's not legal - it's just not Illeagle, and yes there is a differance. The rules are determined by the arresting officer at the time of the offense. It may be passing on the left - aggresive driving, to many lane changes, unsafe operation of a motor vehicle. Generally speaking to stay out of trouble the 'rule of thumb' is:
1) Only split between lanes 1 and 2 (left most lanes) this is because there are fewer cars changing lanes.
2) No chicanes - keep lane changing to a minimum.
3) surrounding traffic should be below 30mph
4) You speed should not be faster than 10mph over the surrounding traffic.
The sharing/splitting rules have been around for decades, it wasn't done for smog but has been around for so long no one can remember why it's allowed.
And I know that's someone is going to say they split every day at 60mph and have never had a problem - naw, you just haven't been caught....
Also, since the rules are up to interrpretation the CHP rules and City rules may be differant. I know that in San Diego if your caught splitting in town you've had it.
Here in california, I have talked with both city cops and CHP plus read the new rules on the CHP website. The city cops say to check with each city individually for their rules but Huntington beach, Santa Ana ect... around where i ride its ok if you are doing it in a safe way. The same goes for on the Highway. The CHP has changed their 10 mph faster rule, in fact they have taken all the rules away and just have one:
you can lane split if you do it in a safe and prudent manner.
This leaves it all up to the interpretation of the cop. It doesnt matter if you going snail slow, if the cop thinks your not riding safe he's gonna hit you with reckless driving. All the cops told me the ticket is not a cheap one if you are riding in an unsafe manner. It goes from everythings ok to reckless driving with no middle ground. So be really safe when doing it in California.
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SanteeZX14
Parking Attendant
Posts: 23
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posted October 30, 2006 01:05 PM
Yea, Safe and Prudent is the catch all phrase - Of course it also follows that if there is any contact with another vehicle it's your fault...
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2006 ZX14 (Faster RED Version)
2004 EX250 (Baby Ninja)
2003 ZRX (Green of course)
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SoCal ZX-14 Rider
Expert Class
Posts: 351
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posted October 30, 2006 03:31 PM
Yes the contact will always be your fault if it was caused by the action of you lane-splitting. Of course this would be a judgement call if, like this that happened to me, you get swiped by another bike while you were between lanes. The only time I have ever made contact with another vehicle was when some commuter idiot passed me on the right while I was already in between cars.
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blitzkrieg
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Road kill = Free lunch.
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posted October 30, 2006 05:34 PM
I'm sure you guys that live in Cali are used to it, and I'm sure I would get used to it too but man the thought of being sandwiched between some yahoo in a Suburban and a soccer mom in a minvan putting on her makeup and yapping on the cell phone doing 55 initially scares the hell out of me.
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SoCal ZX-14 Rider
Expert Class
Posts: 351
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posted October 30, 2006 05:51 PM
Lane splitting isn't as bad as you think. I think because the cars and trucks here in california are used to looking out for bikes. Like someone said earlier the cars are generally polite and move for ya. I wouldn't want to be splitting in a state that just enacted a lane spitting law and all the cars and trucks aren't used to seeing bikes come up between then. They would probably freak out and do something bad. Here its been going on so long it's pretty safe if you use you head and give the other guy respect.
But those cell phone users are trouble no matter what you are doing.
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INTIMIDA2OR
Needs a life
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Posts: 13081
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posted October 30, 2006 06:12 PM
If you ask me there is no better thrill than lane splitting at high speeds thru down town L.A
The mili-second decisions that are needed to execute ,and the anticipation of actions of others on the roadways is a one of a kind experience.
Keeps me sharp let me tell ya
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'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
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SoCal ZX-14 Rider
Expert Class
Posts: 351
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posted October 30, 2006 06:21 PM
Ya , We've seen what you like to do to traffic lol
As we were riding behind you, saying to ourselves" hey where did Intimida2or go?, is that him way way way..............................way up there?"
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If I'm not riding her, I'm dreaming about riding her! Mount up!
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INTIMIDA2OR
Needs a life
RED rider!
Posts: 13081
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posted October 30, 2006 06:47 PM
Really ? 
Damn and i wasn't going that fast that day!
I just didn't slow down
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'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
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SoCal ZX-14 Rider
Expert Class
Posts: 351
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posted October 30, 2006 07:26 PM
Just kiddin bro, ur fun to ride with
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If I'm not riding her, I'm dreaming about riding her! Mount up!
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mugsymd
Expert Class
Posts: 169
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posted October 31, 2006 04:51 AM
I miss living in So Cal - in Virginia, you are FRIED if you split a lane, cut off traffic - oh, and only if you get caught. I guess the same goes for using a radar detector in VA.
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1987 Red/White Ninja 750
1988 K1
1991 FatBoy
2004 VROD
2005 K1200S
2006 ZX-14 - Red
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