Lane Splitting On Motorcycles

Motorcycles are smaller than cars. You’ve probably noticed that. A highway lane that can accommodate one car can handle three bikes abreast, as long as everyone is a good rider, of course. But almost anyone can ride two abreast in a lane.

Not that I’m suggesting you do this. I’m just making a point about size. And here’s what I’m getting at. There’s a lane on any multi-lane road that goes almost unused. It’s that center lane where the stripe is painted. Now, if you’re riding a Kawasaki Concours 14 you might have difficulty slipping in between cars and trucks on that center lane. If you’re on a slim little Yamaha FZ1, however, you’ve usually got plenty of room.

It’s call lane splitting, and unless you live in California it is illegal in your state. But laws can be changed. In Europe everyone does it. If you’re on an interstate in bumper to bumper, stop and go traffic, taking that center lane can speed your journey enormously.

Of course you have to do so carefully. In California they have limits as to how fast traffic can be moving if you’re going to lane split, and that’s OK. If traffic is going even 30 miles an hour you’re best just to stay in your line and cruise. But when the freeway becomes a parking lot, why not take that wide open avenue?

Now, in Europe they take it to an extreme. On the highways around Paris you’ll see bikes zooming up the middle, down the median, and on the shoulder as well. No jurisdiction in this country allows that kind of stuff. And on the streets of Paris it’s a sight to see. The traffic light turns red and cars stop. Soon, scooters and small motorcycles start filtering to the front, pulling in front of the cars when they can, and often stacking up five or six deep in the center lane. The light turns green and, with their quicker acceleration, the bikes zoom ahead and are halfway down the block while the cars are just starting to roll. Do that again and again and you’ve cut your commute in half or better.

There are a lot of advantages to lane splitting. It encourages people to ride motorcycles and scooters, and every person who leaves their car at home reduces congestion by one car. Motorcycles burn less fuel and thus they conserve resources, although the jury is still out on whether they actually put out less air pollution overall. When you get to work and need to park, four or five motorcycles can fit in the space needed for one car, so you’re cutting parking congestion even more than congestion on the streets.

Lane splitting has its risks, make no mistake about that. In California it evolved gradually, with the police usually looking the other way. Thus, drivers became familiar with it and learned over time to watch out for bikes when they needed to change lanes. Eventually the legislature passed a law stating flat out that it was legal.

Changing laws in other states is a hard sell, but it does come up from time to time. A couple state legislatures have actually approved such legislation but then the governor vetoed it. It could be pretty scary for awhile in a state where it was legalized, until the drivers learned to be on guard. Heck, it’s hard enough riding a motorcycle in heavy traffic even when you’re staying in your lane. I can’t count the number of times I’ve been doing exactly that and someone ahead of me and to the right or left decided they wanted to be in my lane. And of course, they didn’t actually look to see if anyone (me) was there.

Still, it could happen. If you want it to happen you’re going to need to start communicating with your legislators.

By: Ron Ayalon

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

For a New York Motorcycle, visit Island Powersports at www.IslandPowersports.com or call 516-795-4400. We have rock bottom pricing, outstanding customer service, and knowledgeable staff to satisfy your thirst for fun. Schedule an appointment today to get out and ride!