So, there is finally a bill moving to legalize lane splitting here in the Evergreen State.
(Legalize pot, then lane splitting - now that's eugenics! )

http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2015-16/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/5623-...

Summary: if passed, we can split a lane, but not faster that 10MPH faster than the flow of traffic, and not faster than 25MPH.

This pretty much means if traffic is stopped, we ride those lines.

I'm split on lane splitting - visiting California often, I'm startled and amazed by lane splitting. I see it on the freeways at 60MPH plus. I think splitting at that speed is nuts.

So, I like the 25MPH cap they put on splitting. I hope it passes.

The one thing I don't want out of this is to be pressured in to splitting 'just cuz it can be done'. That's one of the issues I had with 'Right Turn On Red' - just because I can do it, doesn't mean I have to. What if I just want to sit there and reflect on all the texting I could do if I were not driving.

All you will need is one moron in a cage changing lanes without using a turn signal and your day will be really f*cked up.  Don't know about the west coast but around here turn signals just aren't used. Even a ten mph accident can break something.
 Of course you will also get cage drivers stuck in traffic who will take offense at lane splitters and will block the lane. It's a recipe for road rage between car drivers and bike riders.

I think there's enough 1% to keep the cagers in check.
They come roaring down the line every so often.
most will move over when they notice you in between texts.

Ed L. wrote on 03/09/15 at 08:39:33:


Yep. I rarely see this behavior in the morning commute (not too may people playing games in the morning). But I do see way more zero-sum games being played in the evening commute. I get truckers straddling  lanes to block merge lanes, brake checks and other silliness in the evening.

Paraquat wrote on 03/09/15 at 06:12:38:


From a European - Italian prespective.

Motorcycles are lean, narrow, agile - and most of the time air cooled.

Way back in the 1950's they were often a family's only means of locomotion.
You would use your Vespa/ 125-185 motor to commute to work, and wiggle your way past traffic jams.
THAT is the very point of facing dust and pebbles and braving bad weather - it gets you to the office in decent time, very much unlike a car.

Now... the moment local authorities claim a motorcycle MUST abide by the same laws as a 3-ton pickup, that's when I point out the local PD has MC officers - to get "there" faster, regardless of traffic .
That is exactly the reason I face bad weather, hot weather etc.: commute by MC because I get to my destination on time.

Side note: to demand that a MC stay stuck in traffic just like a car...
...is like demanding that you walk your dog on its hind legs only...

It is not a matter of lane splitting or no lane splitting: if a vehicle is 1/4th the width of others, it is a matter of common sense.

Closing remark: here in Italy MCs regularly use the breakdown lane when traffic is stationary. We call it the "Emergency lane" because that's what ambulances, FD and PD will use in case of an accident.
It is true and undeniable, however, that the case of flashing lights in your rear-view mirror, a MC will slip back into traffic in no time at all.
Many municipalities actually have scooter ambulances with a crew of one/two, it gets on site in half the time of a full size ambulance, and provides emernency treatment.



As for the bitter motorist opening the car door at you: by European Code of Conduct, it is the motorist's fault if a MC crashes into it, no more than if a "silent" Emergency vehicle crashed into it.
We have mandatory external rear view mirrors to handle suchrequirements.
And if anyone wereto quip "He can't use the Emergency lane and I opened the car door on purpose", it's Attempted Murder and GBH.
He had better say "I had to take a pee and foolishly opened the car odoor without looking", it's GBH without the attempted murder.

What is GBH?


--Steve

Being a California resident I really enjoy lane splitting. I rarely do it in moving traffic but the option to go to the front of the light is why I ride to work. Motorcycles are also allowed in the HOV lanes on freeways here which usually gets us out of the congested nonsense of normal lanes. Cali iirc has the same rules as Washington is trying to pass the 10 and 25 rule. Doesn't get followed on the freeways though that's for sure I've been split plenty of times while in the car in traffic doing 30-40mph and the bike was doing twice that. Like Dane said in Cali it's illegal to purposely block a motorcycle and most cages will ease over "if" they see you coming. I generally give a wave if they do just so they feel appreciated.

Paraquat wrote on 03/16/15 at 09:09:30:


IIRC, GBH means "Grevious Bodily Harm"

Whoops ! I just realized it is a British, not a US expression !

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charged_GBH