Lane splitting refers to the act of riding the motorcycle in motor vehicle lanes through cars that are stalled or moving very slowly. Riders do it in order not to be hit at the rear and save time in traffic jams. In California one need not guess. To deal with it, the state included it in the Vehicle Code. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) was assigned with the responsibility of developing safety guidance for riders and drivers by that law.
California Lane Splitting Law
California has now legalized lane splitting in the vehicle code, and CHP has issued clear guidelines as far as safety is concerned. The CHP has to remind all the people that drivers are not to block or deliberately hinder motorcycles. The agency also enumerates sections of vehicle codes in the state that remain applicable, including unsafe maneuvers in lanes and too-close following. To summarize: lane splitting is free provided that one does it safely, but regular road regulations do not go away.
Practical Safety Limits
When riders discuss safe limits, there are two sites that are frequently used. The CHP brochure advises that you should maintain your speed at not more than 10 mph of the surrounding flow, and you should not split the lanes when the traffic is moving at around 30 mph and above. These are riding rules that are conservative and easy to remember.
AUC Berkeley academic study examined close to 6,000 motorcycle accidents and observed that, given certain conditions, lane splitting can be rather safe. Researchers did not find any significant growth in injury till the speed of traffic reached about 50 mph. They also discovered that even the best of 15 mph of speed differentials was not correlated with increased injury rates in their figures. That research is one of the reasons why some individuals provide a little higher numerical boundary than the CHP brochure does.
Suggestions for Riders
Keep it slow. Do not pass faster than passing traffic. Be visible. Make yourself visible by use of your lanes and lights. Anticipate the unanticipated change of lanes by a car. Do not pull up beside gigantic trucks. Don’t divide at night or during bad weather; on a highway, one does not know. Efficient helmet and protective clothing: good decisions make more sense than smart riding. These pieces of advice can be traced to CHP advice and safety studies.
Advice for Drivers
Avoid dangerous driving practices, such as lane weaving and always look before changing lanes. Provide motorcycles with additional space. Don’t open doors into traffic. In case you notice a motorcycle in the middle of the lanes, remain calm and stable. It may be unlawful to block or slow down a motorcyclist. The CHP requests the drivers to be considerate and to leave riders some room.
Common Misconceptions
Lane splitting is against the law: false. It is identified as legal in the state of California and included in CHP directives.
There is no responsibility of drivers: false. Drivers should drive safely, keep in their lanes unless it is safe to maneuver, and should not avoid blocking motorcycles.
Bottom line
In California, it is legal to split lanes provided that it is done safely. Ride at your own level, and ride towards the side of caution according to the CHP instructions. In case you are new to it, attend a motorcycle safety school and train in low-field conditions. The legal system and the research provide practical and clear means of mitigating the risk to both the riders and the drivers.