Although there are numerous benefits of lane-splitting – or lane-filtering – involving a motorcycle moving between lanes for vehicles traveling in the same direction, it is illegal in most U.S. states, and it has been regarded as a pretty controversial practice even in the few states that don’t explicitly prohibit it. California has been the only state where this driving maneuver has been legal, and what’s more, it could be said that it has been encouraging it in a way, with specific guidelines intended to advise motorcyclists on how to move between lanes safely. However, at the same time when other states are attempting to enact laws that would make lane-splitting legal, California seems to be backpedaling on the issue.
In a somewhat surprising move a couple of weeks ago, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) removed the lane-splitting guidelines from its website, citing a petitioner complaint to the Office of Administrative Law as the main reason. A petitioner from Sacramento opposed the guidelines and the way they could be misinterpreted as laws by the police, and the Office of Administrative Law agreed that the CHP does not have the authority to recommend these types of driving maneuvers.
However, this doesn’t mean that lane-splitting is now illegal, and motorcyclists are still allowed to ride in the space between the lanes on city streets, highways and freeways across California, but some fear that the CHP’s decision to withdraw its online guidelines could lead to a law that bans this practice.
Motorcyclists are clearly not happy that the CHP is rethinking its position on lane-splitting, as they feel that a lot of new and inexperienced riders will be engaging in this practice in the future without having access to the useful and very helpful safety guidelines that used to be available for a while. The reason why motorcyclists are so adamant that lane-filtering should be legal is that it is proven to help improve traffic safety and reduce congestion, and prevent collisions involving motorcycle riders. Various studies in the past have shown that most motorcycle accidents occur when riders move through heavy traffic, with cars constantly accelerating and decelerating, which often results in motorcyclists being rear-ended. By allowing riders to split between lanes, they can avoid being hit by cars stopping or accelerating abruptly. On top of this, lane-filtering helps improve traffic flow, and it can prevent motorcycles from overheating.
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), opposed the CHP’s decision, saying that the guidelines provided important information that can help keep riders safe, and asked the law enforcement agency to put the guidelines back on its website, since motorcyclists will not be able to learn how to perform this potentially dangerous technique in safe manner any more, given that neither the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles, nor motorcycle training schools offer any tips on lane-filtering, even though there is no law against it. In the absence of official guidelines, however, riders are advised to avoid lane-filtering if the traffic around them is moving faster 30 mph, and are still urged by the CHP to wear protective gear and stay alert and ride responsibly at all times.