Lane splitting Europe vs US

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TechTMW · #1 Post by **TechTMW** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 11:43 am

We were just having a Lane splitting discussion on one of my mailing lists ...

Interesting to note that Helmets are not mandatory in most states in the US, but lane splitting is illegal.
But in Europe lane splitting is legal and encouraged, but hemets are mandatory all over the EU.

In socialist countries like the EU member states, it makes sense to have helmet laws, since society really does carry most of the burden of hospitalization - but they don't regard lane splitting as dangerous.

Why do you think it's banned in the US? and ... do you think you guys could start getting some lobbying done in congress for lane splitting, because I never want to live in a country that doesn't allow it !!

Britjoe · #2 Post by **Britjoe** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 11:48 am

I believe In the US and canada lane splitting is Illegal cause maniac car drivers get upset if you split lanes and will do anything to stop you, even try to kill you with a car door.

Riding without a helmet is INSANE!!, I think BEANIES are a waste of time, and should be Banned... full face helmets that are DOT approved or snell approved should be mandatary.

Andrew · #3 Post by **Andrew** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 11:57 am

First of all, in the US it would have to be done on a state by state basis. I doubt you'll see it happen due to the ignorance of most drivers. Lane splitting is seen as dangerous and crazy, and while it may not be the truth, there doesn't seem to be much pressure to reeducate the masses.

dieziege · #4 Post by **dieziege** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 11:59 am

Because people in cars (the majority) are jealous that someone else is able to do something they can't. "It just doesn't seem fair" to them.

When I rode my bicycle more I would often ride along stretches of road where I could keep pace with traffic because I knew the light timing... I'd pedal along at a steady rate while the cars launched from the light and jammed on the brakes at the next light, charge ahead and get trapped by the next light... on and on... why am I mentioning this? Because occasionally, after a few miles, those drivers would become totally irate at me I'm guessing for "cheating" them of their right to go faster than a bicycle. That's why I always rode on the sidewalk... they would try to intentionally try to run me down, or start driving more and more aggressively until they were spinning their wheels when the lights changed or simply running the lights. The fact that a bicycle had an advantage of any sort, even a limited one like that, pissed them off.

Lane splitting does that same thing to some people. Only a tiny percentage, but they are just the ones who will act out their irrationality... more feel like you are taking unfair advantage. Of course, they wouldn't be willing to ride to get that advantage either....

Andrew13 · #5 Post by **Andrew13** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 12:55 pm

Yeah, we ought to havge tougher driver training/liscencing in this country. Driving is too often seen as a right instead of a privillege and there are some real nutjobs and incompetants on americas roads. OTOH unless you live in a big city, you really do need a car to function here...

Kal · #6 Post by **Kal** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 2:25 pm

We have lanesplitting

It is legal as long as it is safe to do so.

However just a couple of months ago I was defending my right to do so against a co-worker, as far as he was concerned I shouldn't.

I pointed out that I ride a bike, which means that I have no weather protection and no radio or other luxuries. However I can lane spilt, which not only gets me to where I am going quicker but also leaves more of the road available to cages which means that they eventually get to where they are going quicker to.

He acknowledged the arguement but even so couldn't get passed the idea that it was not fair.

We've always had lane splitting, could you imagine introducing it to a population that believes it to be illegal?

#7 Post by **zarakand** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 2:37 pm

I would love lane splitting to be legal in Illinois and all over the United States, but I just don't see it happening unless we rehaul how drivers acquire licenses. The driving license test is very easy, and there are too many idiotic drivers around due to

Chris8187 · #8 Post by **Chris8187** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 4:24 pm

In New Jersey, there is no law for or against it, so it is a grey matter. A cop could pull you over for careless driving or something, but tickets aren't given because you lane split. I do it anyway, when I can safely.

RTR · #9 Post by **RTR** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 4:51 pm

I could not imagine splitting lanes with my Goldwing. Heck some people think I am riding a small car

So to wedge that between two occupied lanes of traffic, I think not.

#10 Post by **t_bonee** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 4:53 pm

I believe once we have successfully repealed all the helmet laws here in the states, the next thing to conquer will be lane splitting laws.

It won't be too long. But the major obstacle to lane spitting laws will be training cagers that it is OK for some one on a motorcycle to have an advantage over their God given right to own the rode in their car/SUV.

Here in the U.S., it just burns peoples bottoms that someone may have an advantage over them, much less a government approved advantage over them, so they will enact their frustrations out on people on mototcycles lane splitting.

I think the way for us to overcome these issues it to require people getting drivers licenses to take renewal tests every year that have 40% of situations presented involve something with a motorcycle.