This Just In from the AMA:
OFF THE WIRE
This Just In from the AMA:
California lawmaker withdraws bill that would have restricted lane-splitting by motorcyclists
PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The sponsor of a California Senate bill that
would have restricted the current practice of lane-splitting by
motorcyclists will withdraw the bill from consideration, the American
Motorcyclist Association reports.
Lane-splitting by motorcyclists in California is recognized by the California Highway Patrol and helps ease traffic flow.
An aide to state Sen. Jim Beall (D-San Jose), who sponsored S.B. 350,
confirmed in an email to the AMA Tuesday afternoon that the bill would
be withdrawn, pending the results of a University of California-Berkeley
safety study expected later this year. The bill, introduced Feb. 20,
would have allowed lane-splitting only in certain instances: on divided
highways with three or more lanes of travel in the same direction, only
when traffic is congested and only at "a safe" speed.
Nick
Haris, AMA western states representative, noted that lane-splitting has
been an accepted custom and necessary strategy to ease traffic
congestion in California for years. He noted that Beall's bill proposed a
sudden and significant shift in traffic management strategies in the
state with respect to motorcycles, which could have had a serious impact
on traffic flow.
"We are pleased that Sen. Beall's office is
withdrawing the bill, but we remain watchful of any legislative action
on lane-splitting that could penalize motorcyclists," Haris said.
"Lane-splitting has been done safely in California for decades, so there
is really no need to impose new restrictions, especially given the
guidelines just released by the California Highway Patrol that make no
mention of a three-lane minimum."
According to the California
Highway Patrol, lane-splitting occurs when a motorcyclist rides between
lanes of stopped or slower-moving traffic or moves between lanes to the
front of stopped traffic. The convention is recognized as a benefit to
urban traffic flow because it allows motorcycles to make maximum use of
roadways when traffic is stopped or significantly slowed. The controlled
flow of motorcyclists through stopped traffic also permits more space
for other road users.
"Lane-splitting by motorcyclists, when
done correctly, helps improve traffic flow for everyone on the road,"
Haris said. "That helps everybody save time, gas and hassles, and
promotes safer roads by mitigating traffic backups. It's important that
we work to preserve lane-splitting for the benefit of everyone on the
road."
