Lane-splitting or filtering as it’s called in Europe is practiced all over the world and in the state of California. It is illegal in the rest of the US, but it’s past time that was changed. First, it is not specifically legal in many countries where it is done as a matter of course, but it is tolerated and accepted by both law enforcement and the general public just as it is widely accepted and tolerated to drive somewhat over the unrealistically low speed limits in the USA.
We motorcyclists must to lead the charge to make lane-splitting both accepted and legal in our country first by safely lane-splitting ourselves and secondly by encouraging our elected representatives to change the laws.
Why should you lane-split and why should the law be changed? It simply benefits all of society, especially motorcyclists. Here’s how:
Our streets and highways are choked with traffic in most metro areas and is only getting worse. Most cars are occupied by one person, the driver. The time-saving benefit of lane-splitting will encourage drivers to get out of fuel-wasting cars and on motorbikes and scooters. This will save fuel and save road space without any cost to taxpayers or to those who choose to drive cars. Motorcycles and modern scooters take up very little space and quickly accelerate out of the way, not holding up the cars behind them. Everyone benefits with less large, relatively slow vehicles on the road.
Starting the day you read this, start lane-splitting safely* so car-drivers will both get used to it and realize that they too can benefit by getting on two wheels. The more of us that do it, the more it will become the norm. Start doing it now!
Contact your elected officials and encourage them to help solve their city, state or country from the creeping paralysis of traffic congestion at no cost to the taxpayers. Elected officials all need solutions to traffic congestion and one that is cost-free will appeal to them. Emphasize that it has been done safely in California and the rest of the world for decades. Links to your elected representatives are at the bottom of this page. E-mail them today!
*Safe lane-splitting is moving forward between or around the lanes of cars when they are either stopped or moving very slowly. On the highway this slowly advances you through traffic. In city traffic it moves you to the front of the cue at traffic signals.
Do it now!!!
