Walking the Fine Line: Lane Splitting Hot

While lane splitting on a motorcycle is generally not recognized as a safe practice, in California and some other states, there is no law stopping motorcycles from lane splitting. In fact, lane sharing is legal in the Golden State. Drivers are supposed to check for other vehicles in the next lane over and motorcycles traveling between the lanes. As long as the motorcycle isn’t traveling at a high rate of speed or changing lanes erratically, the other motorist is usually at fault if he/she fails to clear all traffic before changing lanes.

If you do share a lane, there are some important things you, as a motorcyclist, should be aware of. Look out for vehicles making abrupt lane changes or car doors opening. Drivers may also try to squeeze by you by sharing your lane. Your best defense to this situation is ride in the center of the lane. By doing this you will take up as much of the lane as possible leaving little room for another vehicle.

Even though lane splitting is allowed in California, riders can still get a ticket. Giving the ticket is a judgment call for the officer making the stop. You could be ticketed for unsafe speed or even an unsafe lane change so use common sense and try not to put yourself in dangerous situations.

Another important safety reminder is to leave a safe distance between you and the car or truck in front of you. Here, a good rule of thumb is to use the four-second rule. It works like this: when the vehicle directly before you passes a stationary object, four seconds should pass before you pass that same object.

If you are involved in an accident, you should get legal representation. No matter what type of case, motorcycle crashes or otherwise, if you decide to retain a lawyer, choose one with a track record in the field. Lawyers like Russ Brown and Chuck Koro are motorcycle riders themselves and understand what motorcyclists face out on the roads. This real-world experience can be imperative because motorcycle-related cases often require specific knowledge other attorneys may not possess.

Remember, even if the other driver is at fault that will be little comfort to you if you suffer a serious injury. Allow all vehicles a full lane and never share. It is unsafe. Many riders have seen or been involved in close calls or may have seen another rider sustain injuries even though they did nothing wrong. That’s why it’s better to adjust your riding based on what is going on around you and adapt as traffic changes. Be aware of your surroundings and keep in mind you are a moving target.