Shop Motorcycle Gear,
Parts and Apparel.

Email a Friend

*Email Addresses (up to 5):

Personal Message:

*Your Name:

*Your Email Address:

Send me a copy of this email

* Indicates a required field

Email addresses will only be used to send this message. They will not be used for promotional purposes. See our Privacy Policy.

Bryan's Blog

RSS

Font:

Lane-Splitting Coming to Arizona?

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Motorcyclists who live in Arizona's Maricopa County may soon have the right to split lanes through stalled traffic.

The Arizona House on Wednesday approved HB 2475, a bill that will allow motorcyclists to ride between stalled traffic. It will now head to the Arizona Senate for approval. If it passes, it will let two-wheeled riders to split lanes in Maricopa County for a one-year trial period.

Maricopa County is located in the south-central part of the state and has a population of around four million. There are more people in that one county than there are in 24 US states. And during the summer time, it’s freakin’ hot. I mean, really hot. If you’ve ever been stuck in stand-still traffic on a 100+degree day with the heat coming off a big V-Twin roasting you alive, you’ll be grateful that Maricopa County is working on passing this legislation.

Plus, Rep. Jerry Weiers, R-Glendale, brings up another valid point. He brought up the fact that a motorcyclist sitting at the back of a line of cars is very susceptible to distracted drivers. And if a motorcyclist gets plowed into from behind at 65 mph, it’s going to be fatal. Just last week on my ride to work, an accident on I-5 ahead of me brought traffic to a standstill. Sure enough, the third car behind me got plowed into by someone going full speed that wasn’t paying attention. The sound of the impact was frightening. I looked back in time to see the crumpled front end of a VW in between a cloud of debris and flying shrapnel. It pushed the guy who got nailed from behind into the car in front of it which just barely missed the car directly behind me. So it does happen.

Is lane-splitting dangerous? Hell yeah it is. But so is riding a motorcycle. The system works in L.A., which is the only place I ever really lane split. Even then, I’m content to sit in traffic if its moderate, but at times I use it to my advantage when it’s bumper-to-bumper. Of course, there are riders who abuse it, but those of us who use the right judiciously shouldn’t be penalized for their behavior. And if I’m riding in Phoenix next summer on a 110-degree day, I’ll be splitting some lanes in Maricopa County, too.

Post Tags: motorcycle lane-splitting, Maricopa County, lane splitting in Arizona

Blog Archive

2012: Jan; Feb; Mar; Apr; May; Jun; Jul; Aug; Sep; Oct; Nov; Dec

2011: Jan; Feb; Mar; Apr; May; Jun; Jul; Aug; Sep; Oct; Nov; Dec

2010: Jan; Feb; Mar; Apr; May; Jun; Jul; Aug; Sep; Oct; Nov; Dec

2009: Jan; Feb; Mar; Apr; May; Jun; Jul; Aug; Sep; Oct; Nov; Dec

2008: Jan; Feb; Mar; Apr; May; Jun; Jul; Aug; Sep; Oct; Nov; Dec

Comments

Russ Brown Motorcycle Lawyer -Lane Splitting September 1, 2010 11:30 AM
The only problem we see with lane splitting in California is when a motorcyclist speeds while doing it. You should not be travelling more then ten miles/hour over what the cagers are doing. We get calls from a biker that were doing crazy speeds while lane splitting all the time and the courts will not side with the biker in these instances.

u2metoo -Vetoed May 12, 2010 10:27 AM
Bummer, it looks like Gov Brewer vetoed the bill.

Rats!

Wheeler -Lane Sharing April 23, 2010 03:44 PM
I see sooo many misconceptions and false opinions on here. First, some seem the think that lane sharing just HAS to be dangerous, without ever even looking at what, why or how it is done. The engines, even the water cooled ones, can NOT take being stuck in traffic. There are no fans on them to blow the air over the engines when we are stuck in traffic. Plus that area between the lanes IS our escape route, if someone is coming up behind us and about to run into us. So it is only natural that we should use the space when traffic is stopped. As for those who seem to think we are “Special” or have or should have “Special” rights, I say Bunk. These aren’t special rights, these are safety issues. But when you get right down to it, considering the reduction in traffic, parking congestion, reduction in fuel consumption, reduction of damage to the infustructure, less use of resources, and on infinitive, I say YES, motorcycles SHOULD get better special rights, just for being such good and admirable citizens.

Noel Winters -HNIC Scottsdale AZ March 27, 2010 09:11 PM
Hell, I've always split lanes. Back in Maryland there was a 1-3 hour wait to get across the Bay Bridge and everyone split lanes...what's the big deal?

Louis -It's already done... March 27, 2010 07:38 AM
Here in Maricopa County, the police already split traffic on the freeway and even surface streets to move to the front of the line where they can watch the intersections for red light runners. Many drivers are used to that, so it's not a stretch for them to get used to civilians doing it. Actually, I already see some motorcyclists doing it on the freeway, but only between the car pool lane and the #1 lane. If this law passes, it won't take effect until January, 2011 I think.

Tom -@greg March 27, 2010 03:08 AM
"IMO, lane splitting is dangerous and shouldn't be allowed anywhere"

Oh really? What a lame statement. Then what is the purpose of riding a motorcycle. One of the great advantages is not being stuck in slow moving traffic.

So you really expect me to believe that in a total gridlock, you will happily sit in traffic, not moving, breathing the exhaust fumes of the car in front while waiting to be rear-ended by a hummer and seeing all your fellow motorcyclists scoot along at a RESPONSABLE pace?

Happy I live in Europe, lane splitting is the name of the game over here, in every country. And yes, in some countries it is prohibited, but everywhere there is a tolerance policy to filter up until 20-30mph traffic (with a reasonable speed difference).

Hell, I spend most of my time in a car in dense traffic, and all I see is a continuous parade of motorcycles zipping in between the second and third lane (highways here=mostly three lanes). Most put on all four indicators and have high beams.

Obviously, respect your fellow cagers and don't startle them with growling cans and race spec exhaust noise, or a blip of the throttle. I'm used to it, and even I sometimes get a heartattack when one of these goons comes alongside.

When on the motorcycle myself I split lanes with traffic moving from 0 to 40 mph. Just always remember that most of the car drivers won't see you coming and beware of sudden lane changes and you'll be fine. Just leave it to personal judgement. But I would ride a whole lot less if it weren't for lane splitting, it's one of the main reasons to use a motorcycle here.

And true, don't go lane splitting at 100 mph with traffic moving at 60 mph, obviously.

bikerrandy -Greg-MD rider(whatever that means) March 26, 2010 08:21 PM
FYI, Greg. I have water cooled bikes but none of them still have the cooling capacity of cars. What do YOU ride ? I've been lane sharing for decades and sorry to disappoint you, have never had an accident doing it. If you're not comfortable with doing it, fine. I've ridden street bikes for over 40 years. How long have you ridden ?

Greg -MD Rider March 26, 2010 01:29 PM
"Perhaps if the car public understood that our motors aren't as well protected as theirs from heat they would understand why it's legal."

If you're that worried about it then buy a liquid cooled bike, maybe one designed within the last decade.

IMO, lane splitting is dangerous and shouldn't be allowed anywhere. Part of the reason bikers have such a bad rep is we abuse the "we're special" excuse. EVERYONE shares the road together and ALL should follow the same laws. Bikes, cars, trucks, everyone. Loud pipes don't save lives, rider skill and a horns do.

Just because you ride a bike doesn't mean that you deserve special treatment. If you think it does then your riding for the wrong reason.

bikerrandy -lane splitting really legally "lane sharing" in CA. March 26, 2010 09:10 AM
Lane sharing should be nationwide just as it is apparently in Europe where it's called filtering.

No matter what State I'm in if I fear frying my air cooled MC motor stuck in traffic, I'm going to split lanes safely just like is legal all over California. Perhaps if the car public understood that our motors aren't as well protected as theirs from heat they would understand why it's legal. Unfortunately some riders take advantage of the opportunity and lane share at speeds above 35 mph. I've even had a CHP BMW rider split lanes when we were dong 75 mph and he had no lights on ! If I'm in a car and some bike splits lanes with loud pipes it scares the hell out of me not knowing he's coming !

Until the car public is educated about what lane sharing is all about they get jealous we can do it and they can't.

Brian von -CA rider March 25, 2010 09:41 PM
As a rider who does split lanes on a daily basis, It can be dangerous, but I feel safer there than sitting in traffic with cars speeding up behind me. Take the tragedy that happened today with the Dump truck. It is that reason that when I come to a stop, I will sit on the line and not behind a car. Yes, there are those that do exploit the law and will split lanes at 100+ when traffic is flowing, but it can be done reasonably. I will typically go only 10-15 over the flow of traffic when under 45. At 45, I will go with the flow. If some one wants to go faster, let them by.

Rich Budelier -Adams and Main March 25, 2010 02:32 PM
Outside of the fun factor, the ability to lane split is the only advantage a motorcycle has in traffic. Many automobiles get better gas mileage, give some collision protection and protect the driver from whatever excesses nature can throw. I live in SoCal and have been commuting for four decades on two wheels to insure that I will reach my destination in a timely manner. I hope the riders in AZ use their new found privilege as intended and showcase the chief advantage of a motorcycle: maneuverability!

JD Smith -Phoenix rider March 25, 2010 12:10 PM
I'll be interested to see where this goes. I've heard some people interviewed on news shows complain that they'd be startled if a motorcycle rode by them. I'm not sure what the outcome would be--peeing your pants while you're stalled in traffic, at worst? Thankfully, our congestion isn't nearly as horrible as it is in Los Angeles. Now if we could just get them to allow going through red lights that don't respond to the weight of a motorcycle . . . .

Bryan's Blog

Lane-Splitting Coming to Arizona?

You posted a comment, now share it on Facebook!