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You might think "who cares?" because very few of us are motorcyclists, but most -- if not all -- of us are drivers, and many drivers have strong opinions on the subject.
Here in California, and in many other places in the world, motorcycles are legally allowed to ride between lanes of traffic when it is stopped or moving very slowly. Until recently the practice was tolerated, but not explicitly legal; but last month the CHP released guidelines on safe lane-sharing, signaling that the practice now enjoys some amount of legal sanction.
So how would you react if lane-splitting became legal in your state? Or, if you're in California or Europe or some other place that currently allows it, how do you currently react? When stuck in traffic, would you resent motorcycles zipping past you between lanes, would you scoot over to help them get through, or would you just not care?
(I predict that this discussion, if it takes off, will cut across ideological lines in some interesting ways.)
I'm OK with it as long as the motorcyclist legally takes ALL responsibility for any accident no matter who's at "fault". If a car changes lanes while you are lane splitting and hits you then it's your fault.
If it is legal there is not much you can do. But I agree with katzpaw, the liability rests totally on them. I don't think I would do anything different except try to be more aware of them now that this is sanctioned.
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I ride a motorcycle (on good weather days - I'm not hardcore) but I will not do this. I think it is an unsafe practice. It does help during traffic congestion though.
Yes, allow them to lane split. traffic in CA is horrendous. Why should I have to wait behind smoggy vehicles breathing in their exhaust, when I can fit between cars and be on my way and not contribute to the congestion.
and motorcycle riders are SAFER while they are in motion. I don't know how many times I've escape being hit, when I was at a stop light, or coming to a stop due to inattentive drivers.
Sure. As long as cars are also allowed to pull up next to a motorcycle in the same lane with him, and pass him, too.
What's the problem, with either scenario?
Quote:
Originally Posted by pch1013
Until recently the practice was tolerated, but not explicitly legal;
Ummm, it HAS been explicitly legal in California. At least for the fifty-plus years I've been driving here. You didn't know that? Look up "lane sharing".
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