Motorcycle lane-splitting is legal, but should it be?
Q I am so saddened that a motorcyclist died on Interstate 880 recently while lane-splitting. With the number of terrible and unsafe drivers we have, I wish this law could be changed. In other states this is illegal. What is your valued opinion?
P.S. I am an X-ray technologist. Need I say more? — Carol Martin, San Lorenzo
A No, you’ve made your case. These types of tragedies really sadden me. This accident occurred when Matthew Newman, 33, of San Ramon clipped two vans as he split traffic between the two far-left lanes near Davis Street in San Leandro.
However, some research shows that lanesplitting can be done safely. A UC-Berkeley study a couple of years ago concluded that the practice actually reduces crashes because motorcyclists are less likely to slam into a vehicle ahead of them when using the same lane.
California made lanesplitting legal as of Jan. 1, becoming the first state to do so. However, the California Highway Patrol has yet to develop guidelines that will determine at what speeds motorcyclists may do this.
But your feedback makes this an appropriate time to address this again.
Q I am finally emailing you about this safety issue of splitting lanes. As traffic slows down to 10, 15 or 20 mph, motorcyclists come up on either side of one’s car, bobbing and weaving through traffic.
Needless to say, there have been occasions when I have been startled, especially when “attacked” almost simultaneously on both sides of my car.
I have been frightened and angered enough to the point that if I hit one, I’d almost want to get out of the car and physically express my anger. It seems that over the years, it has gotten worse.
While I don’t want to hit or harm anyone, I don’t want to be responsible for some jerk who pretends to be invincible. — Kirk Lawson, Oakland
A When freeway speeds are low, experts say lane-splitting is OK but that motorcyclists should only go 10-15 mph faster than traffic. And they should limit splitting to the two far-left lanes. Also, when motorists change lanes, signal.
But don’t lose your temper, Mr. Lawson. Be cool and watchful. — Fred Parkinson, Oakland
A It means to always be on the alert for lane-splitters for they are usually traveling much faster than the rest of traffic. Look once, then look again before changing lanes.
The CHP encourages all riders, new and experienced, to enroll in the California Motorcyclist Safety Program, which has 120 sites throughout the state and trains approximately 66,000 motorcyclists a year. Go to californiamotorcyclist.com for details.