Why lane split?

[TCK!]

Lane splitting is not illegal. Neither is lane sharing.

You are wrong: http://bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154980

[hbliam]

You are wrong: http://bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154980

No, actually I'm not. Because they are the same thing. And your link doesn't change things. Your linked "guru" even quotes the CHP:

"Is lane-sharing legal?
Here's the text (verbatim) from the CHP's site: "Lane splitting by motorcycles is permissible under California law but must done in a safe and prudent manner." The text used to also include "The motorcycle should be traveling no more than 10 mph faster than surrounding traffic (without exceeding the speed limit) and not come close enough to that traffic to cause a collision." but has since been removed. Perhaps they wanted to give cops more latitude to interpret what they thought was safe so they removed it.

Lane sharing on surface streets is probably not addressed in city or county laws so I would do this with caution, as individual cops will decide whether or not they like what they see. As with most prudent riders, I share lanes as necessary on surface streets if I don't see any cops, but I stop immediately if I spot one.

You can also find more on lane-splitting in the DMV Motorcycle handbook (see page 20 in the current handbook). "

His plea to not call it "splitting" is his opinion and doesn't make it illegal.

[TCK!]

No, actually I'm not. Because they are the same thing. And your link doesn't change things. Your linked "guru" even quotes the CHP:

"Is lane-sharing legal?
Here's the text (verbatim) from the CHP's site: "Lane splitting by motorcycles is permissible under California law but must done in a safe and prudent manner." The text used to also include "The motorcycle should be traveling no more than 10 mph faster than surrounding traffic (without exceeding the speed limit) and not come close enough to that traffic to cause a collision." but has since been removed. Perhaps they wanted to give cops more latitude to interpret what they thought was safe so they removed it.

Lane sharing on surface streets is probably not addressed in city or county laws so I would do this with caution, as individual cops will decide whether or not they like what they see. As with most prudent riders, I share lanes as necessary on surface streets if I don't see any cops, but I stop immediately if I spot one.

You can also find more on lane-splitting in the DMV Motorcycle handbook (see page 20 in the current handbook). "

His plea to not call it "splitting" is his opinion and doesn't make it illegal.

Feel free to read the rest of the thread:

There is no specific law prohibiting lanesharing. There is a ton of info about lanesharing (which people persist in calling splitting for some reason), in this thread. I suggest you do read the whole thread.

As an asside, "splitting" suggests or implies the act of straddling, which is specifically prohibited in 21658(a) CVC. My plea is that those that want to keep it legal, please call it “lanesharring” and consistently refer to it as such. The connotation of “sharing” is much more positive and is clearly a more accurate portrayal of the legal (ie.. not outlawed, yet) act many law-abiding CA motorcyclist do safely, on a regular basis. Who wants to be the lawmaker that outlawed “sharing” in CA?

If you are against it, feel free to call it splitting

[ScottRNelson]

If you two are going to quote BARF posts, you should at least use the correct smily when you're pointing out that the other is wrong:

[TCK!]

If you two are going to quote BARF posts, you should at least use the correct smily when you're pointing out that the other is wrong:

haha Good call Scott

I just think you've got to pick and choose your battles and why make it more difficult for yourself when it's easy to be cautious and use the phrase sharing instead of splitting. Some police/judges/public are going to get a major hard-on when you use the phrase splitting might as well avoid the pre-conceived perception of bad lane splitting.

Same reason why I still have a "beer tray", reflectors and and 100% legal with any modifications I perform on my bike. I just don't want bring down any more heat then i already have.

[Popeye the Sailor]

Lane Splitting is Illegal.

Lane Sharing is Legal.

If you ever get pulled over the semantics are very important in that situation.

I thought illegality was based on what one was doing, not what one called it.

[TCK!]

I thought illegality was based on what one was doing, not what one called it.

I wish, unless the judge witnesses your act I think it's all about how you present your case at that point.

[hbliam]

I thought illegality was based on what one was doing, not what one called it.

Exactly. Just because one guy up in NoCal thinks the word "splitting" may be close to straddling, doesn't make the act illegal. His theory about 21658(a) is nothing more then his opinion. If HE pulls you over you might want to say sharing. Any other cop/person knows they are the same thing.

[TCK!]

Exactly. Just because one guy up in NoCal thinks the word "splitting" may be close to straddling, doesn't make the act illegal. His theory about 21658(a) is nothing more then his opinion. If HE pulls you over you might want to say sharing. Any other cop/person knows they are the same thing.

Well him and the HUNDREDS of other NoRCal cops on BARF that agree with him. You better stay it SoCal sounds more relaxed  

[hbliam]

Well him and the HUNDREDS of other NoRCal cops on BARF that agree with him. You better stay it SoCal sounds more relaxed  

I'm not trying to argue with you TCK (I'm failing I guess). The thread has 97 posts. 16 of them by the OP. I wouldn't say HUNDREDS agree with him.  It's just his opinion. Which does not make it illegal, and as such your original post that people need to articulate the act as sharing and not splitting is flat out, 100%, inaccurate. If it makes you feel warm and IZ_ and cuts down the fog up there to call it sharing, have at it.

[TCK!]

I'm not trying to argue with you TCK (I'm failing I guess). The thread has 97 posts. 16 of them by the OP. I wouldn't say HUNDREDS agree with him.  It's just his opinion. Which does not make it illegal, and as such your original post that people need to articulate the act as sharing and not splitting is flat out, 100%, inaccurate. If it makes you feel warm and IZ_ and cuts down the fog up there to call it sharing, have at it.

Hey doesn't matter to me if you guys want to risk getting the "one" PO that doesn't like that term, I don't even ride on the street anymore, not at least until winter. Have fun, ride safe.

[venomousr1993]

Now that I am here in Okinawa, Japan we can lane split....hell we even have the right and are encouraged to ride down the left side breakdown lane. Driving on the opposite side of the road is taking some getting used to as well as switched turn signals/windshield wipers.   On a motorcycle we almost  have the right of way more than motor vehicles do here.  Traffic is nuts here though...

[BomberHead]

it was explained to me that ....

we have a lot of CHiP's on cycles here and its not uncommon for them to be on air cooled bikes. so to keep the bikes cool in trafic they need to maintain a speed of at least 25mph. and California being as liberal as it is figures if its legal for cops. then its legal for everyone. and if you have ever seen traffic in California you will understand how gnarly it can get. think miles, and miles, and miles of 3-4 lane traffic at a dead stop.