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General Category >> Politics, Religion (Tall Table) >> Lane splitting in Washington State.
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Message started by 1st2know on 03/08/15 at 22:07:48

Title: Lane splitting in Washington State.
Post by 1st2know on 03/08/15 at 22:07:48

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-S.pdf

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.

Title: Re: Lane splitting in Washington State.
Post by Paraquat on 03/09/15 at 06:12:38

I'm torn.

I've been stuck in traffic where I turned my Savage off and walked it because I didn't want it to overheat.
I've sat on the side while bikes pass in the break down lane. I can't be that guy. You wait in line, you do your time like everyone else, don't be an ass.

I can see the advantages but I am upset by the inequality, if that makes sense.
Also I think it's dangerous as Hell and I can't even back out of my garage without dragging my bags on something. People are stupid and you never know who is having a bad day and will open a car door into you.

--Steve

Title: Re: Lane splitting in Washington State.
Post by Ed L. on 03/09/15 at 08:39:33

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.

Title: Re: Lane splitting in Washington State.
Post by WebsterMark on 03/09/15 at 09:10:21

I travel to CA often and drivers out there are used to lane splitting and I've not seen anyone purposely swerve over or open a door. Not that it doesn't happen, but I've not see it.

in another state that just starts lane splitting, I'd say you will have problems in the beginning. Guarantee some dude is gonna get sideswiped by a car pissed off at him zipping by.

Title: Re: Lane splitting in Washington State.
Post by verslagen1 on 03/09/15 at 11:34:49

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.

Title: Re: Lane splitting in Washington State.
Post by Dane Allen on 03/09/15 at 12:54:04

655750414657407F534059320 wrote:

The other part of the lane splitting equation is the penalty for cutting off a motorcyclist. In California, it is illegal to block the bike with a car and Washington will have to do the same.

I lived in Washington from 1974 through 2001 and I got back every year to visit family. If the lane splitting thing gets passed then I just might look into moving back. ;)

Title: Re: Lane splitting in Washington State.
Post by 1st2know on 03/09/15 at 14:41:08

0C2D160567490 wrote:

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.

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.

Title: Re: Lane splitting in Washington State.
Post by cyclesarge on 03/15/15 at 18:06:15

I'd really only use it to filter past very slow or stopped traffic. I CAN see some idiots wheelying past everyone, but I see that occasionally anyway.

Something I was really surprised to find out about Washington is that they don't require any kind of insurance for motorcyclists, pretty forcing the worst driving, least responsible people to ride the fastest most dangerous vehicles on the road, yep, makes sense to me, haha.

Title: Re: Lane splitting in Washington State.
Post by mpescatori on 03/16/15 at 03:06:11

5D6C7F6C7C786C790D0 wrote:

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.

http://https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTUy5kjR1mmS5Xdoc6sqQwP1f085Q_WkXWOBS6EYCLF9gfZGtHF

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.

Title: Re: Lane splitting in Washington State.
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/16/15 at 07:31:33

I don't expect our laws to make sense... it took till th70's for them to admit people are smart enough to turn right on a red light and not get killed..

Title: Re: Lane splitting in Washington State.
Post by Paraquat on 03/16/15 at 09:09:30

What is GBH?

--Steve

Title: Re: Lane splitting in Washington State.
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/16/15 at 09:17:01

My guess

Gross bodily harm

Like gross negligence

Title: Re: Lane splitting in Washington State.
Post by Rylee on 03/18/15 at 00:35:55

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.

Title: Re: Lane splitting in Washington State.
Post by Serowbot on 03/18/15 at 08:38:11

There are certainly times that I would like the option...

Title: Re: Lane splitting in Washington State.
Post by mpescatori on 03/24/15 at 02:43:57

4574677464607461150 wrote:

What is GBH?

--Steve

IIRC, GBH means "Grevious Bodily Harm"

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

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charged_GBH

::)

Title: Re: Lane splitting in Washington State.
Post by 1st2know on 01/19/17 at 13:18:24

Well, after two failed attempts to get lane splitting legalized, they're going to try to get it passed again.
http://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1157&Year=2017

What's different now is that congestion in the Seattle area is really, really bad. (And getting bad in the Tacoma area as well). As motorcycle technology improves (like ABS, rain tires), riding year round is becoming more common.

We'll see what happens. If is passes, I need to find a welder to fasten 'door guards' to my frame should someone try to to door me.
(something like this: http://www.drivingenthusiast.net/sec-blog/images/2008/07/04/4.jpg) ;D

Title: Re: Lane splitting in Washington State.
Post by verslagen1 on 01/19/17 at 13:57:30

Finally written into law here.
Hope you get it too.

Title: Re: Lane splitting in Washington State.
Post by old.indian on 01/19/17 at 14:05:23

243720213E3335373C63520 wrote:

Finally written into law here.
Hope you get it too.

In the late '60s and early '70s in California it was legal to use the shoulder of the road in stalled traffic ON A MOTORCYCLE as long as you did not exceed 15 MPH.

Title: Re: Lane splitting in Washington State.
Post by verslagen1 on 01/19/17 at 14:19:51

5E5D551F585F5558505F310 wrote:

[quote author=243720213E3335373C63520 link=1425877668/15#16 date=1484863050]Finally written into law here.
Hope you get it too.

In the late '60s and early '70s in California it was legal to use the shoulder of the road in stalled traffic ON A MOTORCYCLE as long as you did not exceed 15 MPH.
[/quote]
I don't what technically that required a new bill and vote to legalize it.
I know lane sharing was in the m/c handbook until recently.

1 key issue that I know of, lane sharing wasn't legal in the car pool lane.
Which just so happens to be where everyone including the motorcops do it.