Lane-Splitting Etiquette (California)

I cannot speak for Ontario but I would never consider splitting here in Canada. People just are not expecting it. The first time I tried this down in Ca, I just about shit my pants. But I did quickly learn that most drivers down there are in tune with the concept, and in fact, some seem to expect it. I found many people will see you coming up behind, and automatically make room for you to split. It is great. If they were to suddenly make it so here, that this practice is not unlawful anymore, I fear it will result in countless deaths to our fellow bikers. People here just won't grasp the concept for a long time.

What needs to be understood here is that lane splitting is not necessarily lawful in California. More accurately, there is nothing on the books there, at least right now, that prohibits that movement. There is nothing in their laws that prohibit two vehicles from occupying the same lane at the same time. So long as the movements can be made in a safe and prudent manner, all is good as far as the police are concerned. This is what is unlawful everywhere else. I think if you were to dig into your respective Motor Vehicle or Highway Traffic Act or whatever, you will find some provisions that prohibit two vehicles in the same lane, side by side.

Nice write-up Stuke. Seems that that episode with the old lady on the scooter and you on your BC Clit cause that bump to the head to fix your short circuit.

 

Sure would be convienient to get out in front at a traffic light in certain situations. But certain death on freeways going through the heart of Montreal at rush hour.
They seem to have a handle on it in Russia though.

Crazy Motorcycle Riding in Moscow, Russia - Superbike Racing - YouTube

 

:humble:The lane width on the "newer" freeways in SoCal are wider than in most other places.

Questions and answers about the California Vehicle Code?

2013 California Vehicle Code Table of Contents

Or snag a CHP LEO.

Not all cagers in Cal are hip to lane splitting. There are those that are and are still pissed off. Don't turn your ride into a Der Junker from a Der Stuka trying to ride like a courier even though all the dudes here with the exception of the rare Harley (temporary)

owner, ride better that anyone including those Moto GP fags..

This will also not be my final say on " Texting at the ton".

 

Death wish or what?
I think that was the first bike vid that I came really close of not being able to finish watching it. :fear:

 

No words for it, crazy thing is he has another video testing a turbo Hyabusa. I never finished watching that one.

 

This is the point, it is explicitly prohibited, 2 vehicles sharing a lane, in 49 states. By not explicitly making it illegal by statute in CA, it is a legal maneuver. The CA Highway Patrol have been one of the major backers of keeping the law off the books that would ban it. So it is necessarily lawful, when done in compliance with other laws on the books for safe riding, passing, etc.

 

Randy may be speaking aboot BC. So as not to be confusing not British Columbia but Baja California.

 

It's still pretty dangerous to do. I find that some cagers just don't like it when you fly past them and they're stuck in traffic. Really messes things up for the rest of us, when one won't let us pass. I find the n00b squids andmilitary squids are always the ones riding random split lanes..