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California is often held up as a leader, allowing lane splitting. However, as the California Highway Patrol says in their \u201cCalifornia Motorcycle Safety Program\u201d, lane splitting is not illegal in the state of California when done \u201cin a safe and prudent manner\u201d. While not specifically permitted or prohibited in the California Vehicle Code, lane-splitting authority comes from the California Highway Patrol.<\/p>\n
The term lane splitting, sometimes known as lane sharing, filtering or white-lining, refers to the process of a motorcyclist riding between lanes of stopped or slower moving traffic or moving between lanes to the front of traffic stopped at a traffic light.<\/p>\n
California notes three key points to consider:<\/p>\n
Motorcyclists who are competent enough riders to lane split, should follow these general guidelines if choosing to lane split:<\/p>\n
As they note: Consider the total environment in which you are splitting. That\u2019s seemingly sensible and self evident, but that\u2019s why it\u2019s so tricky. Not every rider or driver is sensible.<\/p>\n
Last year at this time, the UC Berkley, California, added to the discussion with the release of the study \u201cIs motorcycle lane-splitting safe?\u201d http:\/\/news.berkeley.edu\/2015\/05\/29\/motorcycle-lanesplitting-report\/<\/a> . Their experts found that lane splitting is relatively safe, if done in traffic moving at 50 mph or less. They also went on to note, \u201cCompared with other motorcyclists, lane-splitting motorcyclists were more likely to ride on weekdays and during commute hours, use better helmets, and travel at lower speeds.\u201d<\/p>\n Update: May 2016 from the \u201cLane Splitting is Legal.com\u201d camp<\/strong>. They mention in their news release that lane splitting is to be recognized. http:\/\/lanesplittingislegal.com\/lane-splitting-news\/support-ab-51-to-officially-legalize-lane-splitting-in-california<\/a> . What might be the most interesting view is one of the comments that noted : Making this a law increases responsibility and accountability for car drivers. As it stands today, I figure if I get hit by a car, while lane splitting, I\u2019m pretty much hosed. Insurance and law will likely go against me. But\u2026 if this law passes, the car driver is at least somewhat (if not entirely) liable as well<\/em><\/p>\n To move the issue forward may require a discussion of semantics. Specifically, while California talks \u201csplitting<\/strong>\u201d, Australia has made progress around \u201cfiltering<\/strong>\u201d. There you can actually be fined for \u201csplitting\u201d.<\/p>\n In Australia, they enacted the Road Transport Legislation Amendment (Lane Use by Motor Bikes) Regulation 2014, allowing motorcycles to lane \u201cfilter\u201d between vehicles providing they do not exceed 30 KPH. I think \u201cfiltering\u201d is the important subtle difference. Their basic rules pretty much mirror those of California:<\/p>\n What motorcyclists need to know about safe lane filtering:<\/p>\n\n