Follow-up on CA Lane Spitting Survey and potential next steps

OFF THE WIRE

It was great seeing you again at this year's NCOM Convention. I wanted to first send you the CA OTS survey first so you can go through them and get your input. We can then setup a call to discuss.

This first link shows the results of the polled Motorcycle Riders

http://www.ots.ca.gov/Media_and_Research/Press_Room/2012/doc/Motorcycle_Lane_Split_Survey-MC_Rider_Response_Section.pdf

This next link shows the results of the polled cage drivers

http://www.ots.ca.gov/Media_and_Research/Press_Room/2012/doc/Motorcycle_Lane_Split_Survey-Reg_Vehicle_Driver_Response_Section.pdf

Give me a ring or reply by email when you can. We need help coming up with a counter strategy, media program and legislative approach to head this off at the pass before OTS attempts to use it to try and paint a picture that lane splitting is a problem in need of legislative relief.

I am going to call the LTF hotline and let them know what's going on with this to get it on the radar.

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Respectfully,

Robert (Bobby) Tabaldo
Secretary, Violators MC, Bay Area Chapter (violatorsmcbayarea.com)
Executive Director, Motorcycle Clubs Are NOT Street Gangs, Inc. (mcansg.org)
Div Mgr, Modified Motorcycle Association of California - Div 4 Frisco (mma-ca.org)
Co-Chairman, NorCal COC
Unit Commander, NorCal COC US Defenders (http://usdefenderscalifornia.webs.com)

https://mail.google.com/mail/h/jd0hf7s0twso/?&v=b&cs=wh&to=usdefenders.ca@gmail.com
(650) 302-0513

Bobbi,

Thanks for the follow-up. No problem. Emails are fine for now until we decide to form a team to begin some real planning here. Going forward, I am going to copy several individuals I work with with MMA of California and C.O.I.R/USD, so when you and I correspond, please reply all. It is my hope that MMA of CA will take point in working proactively towards preempting any attempt to bring lane splitting up to committee this year or next. For the moment, let me see if I can answer these questions.

1) Yes, this (assuming the first) CA OTS Survey is 'official' and what you have is the publicly published version. One of our division managers just happened to come across it by chance.

2) As I mentioned to you, back in January, during our annual motorcycle rights rally at the Sacramento Capitol, it was a member of our CA Assembly (one who supports motorcycle rights) who brought up the rumor probably based on water cooler discussions regarding lane splitting. At the time, no one knew if there was a campaign to develop one, who would sponsor it and when it may be presented. We kept our eyes and ears open, but no formal bill was registered by the Feb cut-off date. However, we remained vigilant because we know bills do at times get slipped into other bills throughout the year without much notice.

3) As far as we know, there is no existing or pending legislation regarding lane splitting, just rumors that began in January. However, I personally (among others) are NOT going to just sit around and react when the bill does come. Many of us believe that it is not a question of IF, it is a question of WHEN such a bill will be presented. It might not even be its own bill, it could very well be some added language or mod in another bill, one that could go through transportation, then appropriations without public knowledge. Several of us believe that this survey is the FIRST step by the CA OTS to 'paint the picture' that 1) There needs to be more work studying the potential safety issues associated with lane splitting (and of course, funding) or 2) laying the groundwork in the form of studies, corroborated by expert testimony and other evidence to find a legislative sponsor/crusader to develop a bill to mod traffic code, again, using the all too familiar cover of 'safety' to make the argument. As far as standard CA bill processing, all bills for each session are supposed to be submitted to their perspective committee calendars before the end of February. However, other mechanisms (such as spot bills, etc.) are used to get legislation in committee hearings and passed throughout the year.  

4) During the week, I am usually available to talk by phone after 6pm (Pacific Time) on Mon, Tue and Thurs. Today, Friday, I should be around if you want to discuss.