Lane splitting in Oregon?

[carlo]

Forgive me if someone's already posted this information, but I couldn't find anything here after a quick look. I posted a link to it at eugenesportbike.com
I suggest it's time to call your local legislators, and ask them to vote for this one. (http://www.leg.state.or.us/07reg/measpdf/sb0300.dir/sb0386.intro.pdf)

This would be of particular value to you Portland area riders.
Rush hour in Eugene lasts about 5 minutes, so not much need for it. However, I-5 construction delays would be mitigated greatly.
Note that it specifies that traffic must be moving at below 10mph before a motorcyclist can take advantage of "lane sharing", but unlike the unwritten rule in California, you can share whatever part of the lane (doesn't specify only between lanes) is available to you, which means that as long as you don't stray off the fogline, you can pass on the left or right near the shoulder.
This is a step ahead of California in that it will be written into law. The California lane sharing thing is just a "do not cite" ruling by the CHP.

[TAT2D]

Bout time! That's one of the few things I miss about California:thumbup:

["b"]

wow.. we as a motorcycle community need to be very active to get this passed..

[Nicegy525]

Its gonna be a hard fight. The opposition for safety reasons is overwhelming. But I do agree that we should have the freedom to choose.

[SpeedBump]

Coming form Cali myself, and now after four years back here, I can say this would be terribly dangerous as proposed. Oregon drivers are vindictive when it comes to protecting their lane space, and by eliminating the predictability of at least knowing what side a bike can pass on, the situation will only be aggravated. I did it every day in Cali, but the first time I did it in gridlock here I had three cars within two miles swerve over the divide to try and block me (honked at countless times), and one woman opened her truck's door and stood in the middle of the road lecturing me about how I had to wait like everyone else. This state has some of the worst drivers I have ever seen, I could never trust them enough to take the chance.

But I want it passed anyway...that would be awesome.:idunno:

["b"]

here is a link to names ,address and areas off all the senate members
http://http://www.leg.state.or.us/senate/ im personally sending a letter to all 30

[cbrgirl]

I totally agree with Speedbump. Not sure about lane splitting in WI, but I know it was previlant in Chicago. The drivers in this state are insane about protecting their lane.. oooh the story i'm most prooud comes up here, but then yeah. Looks bad on me, good revenge story. Muah ha ha!

ANYway, lane splitting in general is dangerous, but if it's something you're used to then by all means we shouldn't be told not to. But the pts that Speed brought up, are things I think about immediately upon thinking about cutting down "that one stretch to make it home faster". Car doors, swerving, all makes two wheel riding a thing of defense!

[carlo]

Coming form Cali myself, and now after four years back here, I can say this would be terribly dangerous as proposed. Oregon drivers are vindictive when it comes to protecting their lane space, and by eliminating the predictability of at least knowing what side a bike can pass on, the situation will only be aggravated. I did it every day in Cali, but the first time I did it in gridlock here I had three cars within two miles swerve over the divide to try and block me (honked at countless times), and one woman opened her truck's door and stood in the middle of the road lecturing me about how I had to wait like everyone else. This state has some of the worst drivers I have ever seen, I could never trust them enough to take the chance.

But I want it passed anyway...that would be awesome.:idunno:

If the law passes, it will require a major public relations campaign to make drivers aware that it's ok.
I'd be more than willing to put bumper stickers on my truck, car, and of course, on the windshield of my commuter motorcycle.

Resistance from ignorant auto drivers is the only thing that would make this difficult.
There are a lot more motorcyclists now than when I started riding, and it's a safe bet that nearly everyone who's not a motorcyclist at least knows someone who is.
All we need to do is talk to everyone we know about lane sharing.
At least you can inform those who're jerks about it that it's legal, and that if they try to prevent motorcyclists from excersizing their right, they're guilty of vehicular assault.
And of course, call the cops on anyone you see who does that.
BTW, speedbump, those who swerved into your path were committing a far worse violation of the law than they were trying to prevent you from committing. You could have reported them.

[SpeedBump]

There is absolutely no doubt this law's passage would require a significant public relations campaign; one of which I would be more than willing to aid in. I just don't think it will ever attain the level of exposure needed to make motorcyclists safe from ignorant Oregon drivers. Example: we are by far one of the most bike (pedal type) friendly places in the country, but when was the last time you saw any type of campaign to raise awareness of bikers that didn't just piss off the cagers even more. My mom was recently almost killed by a driver that ran her off the road, and the bicycle community probably gets more respect and attention than motorcycling. When lane splitting here it would only be a matter of time until you were knocked off your bike or worse.

I am in support of this legislation for the simple reason that I think it has some very positive aspects beyond just convenience. I only bring up these points to further develop the conversation. Thank you for bringing it to our attention.

BTW, speedbump, those who swerved into your path were committing a far worse violation of the law than they were trying to prevent you from committing. You could have reported them.
I've tried that route. The officer said (he was being fairly candid) if I pursued charges he would need to cite me and the driver would likely get off with little more than a warning.

[ArinSjorensen]

i did a lane split in sandiego in the early 90s and a cop sitting at the border station didnt think it was very legal and gave me a fat ticket for it and wasnt very kind in telling me how i shouldnt have cut between two rv's at 75mph. so lane splitting is overlooked often but its not legal

[ArinSjorensen]

if anyone thinks that law would ever make it in oregon is in fantasy land. california drivers have experienced it legal or not for 75 years. its kind of like well before i change lanes let me check for bikes, here its like oh im sorry your bike is hanging out my back end and you are dieing in my front seat cuz i didnt look. id be so careful doing it.

["b"]

you both bring up good points my thought is lets get this thing passed then do a FULL COURT PRESS with the public.. Step one right now is getting lane sharing legal..lets not put the cart before the horse.. JMO

[Skinny]

I come from So. Cal. myself and lane split for quite some time. I have to agree with what everyone is saying here though about lane-territorial Oregon drivers. Motorcyclist's are not looked for here at all but I'm not sure what the best way to make motorists aware of us two-wheelers. It seems the only ones aware of bikes are riders themselves.

I'm all for lane splitting here if people actually knew it was a law.

What are the penalties for lane splitting here? Anyone know? :thinking: I'm sure Mep could answer this one with relative ease.

[carlo]

if anyone thinks that law would ever make it in oregon is in fantasy land. california drivers have experienced it legal or not for 75 years. its kind of like well before i change lanes let me check for bikes, here its like oh im sorry your bike is hanging out my back end and you are dieing in my front seat cuz i didnt look. id be so careful doing it.


That's funny. My second motorcycle crash happened on HWY 92 West in San Mateo.
Typical afternoon gridlock headed for the 280 freeway, and I was splitting lanes.
Someone tried to nudge their car into an opening just as I was passing. Bumped me into the back of another car.
Lesson learned; don't go more than 5 mph faster than the "stopped" traffic while splitting lanes.

This was in 1969. I took my family to Disneyland about 8 years ago. LA motorcyclists split lanes while traffic is moving 60 or above. A new level of awareness for auto drivers.
One can only hope that Oregon drivers might learn to be as tolerant.

[TOM-CAT]

i did a lane split in sandiego in the early 90s and a cop sitting at the border station didnt think it was very legal and gave me a fat ticket for it and wasnt very kind in telling me how i shouldnt have cut between two rv's at 75mph. so lane splitting is overlooked often but its not legal
Lane splitting is legal in Cali. It is in place because back in the days of gridlock and air cooled bikes, every bike would over-heat waiting in traffic. The "guidelines" for lane splitting, as I understand, are: You can only travel 15mph faster than the traffic around you, and you can't excede the speed limit.

Ideally, from a legal perspective you would only be splitting if the traffic speed slowed to a near crawl, with the intention of cooling your bike down.
:2cents:

[liablemtl]

Thanks for posting that, Carlo... I meant to do it, but I've been swamped. I already emailed my state Senator and asked him to support it.

[Xusia]

+1. It is definitely legal in CA, however, there are rules around it like the proposed law here in OR, and riding between 2 RVs at 75 is most definitely against the rules of that law!

[liablemtl]

Got this in my email today...

"
Dear Mr. Liable,

Thank you for writing.

SB574 and SB 386 are both in the Senate Committee on Business Transportation, & Work Force Development. I've yet to look at both bills closely, as I do not sit on that committee. However, I do believe I will be able to support SB 574, if it comes before a vote of the full Senate. I am still considering on SB 386. I very much appreciate your imput as a motorcycle rider yourself. I'll keep your views in mind.

Yours very truly,
Senator Rod Monroe

"

Cool... we'll see where it goes. It sounds like he's not to hot on the lane sharing idea... but we'll see what happens.

[Skipbo]

I myself think a lane sharing ammendment to the law in Oregon COULD actually pass...

If... only at approaches to red lights and if the automobile traffic
is at a full stop. A 5mph maximum passing speed on left side lane only.

Sell it like this to the Oregon automobile voters:
"Help us help you reduce your wait times at our congested intersections."

[liablemtl]

Nice thing is... you don't have to sell traffic law to the public. If the law makes it through the house and the senate and is signed by the governor, then it's on the books.

However, I have a feeling that the safety nazis will win out eventually and this bill will be killed by a group of people who are too afraid to live life. A group of people who like their little wheeled cage that protects them from the real world and who believe that their beliefs are superior and must be abided by.

However... I would encourage any riders who have spent time stuck in Portland traffic for any length of time, to email their Senator. :yes:

[ArinSjorensen]

glad to see you are here to take your family anywhere after that happening to you. you guys make some great points. if i had the money id send you all to law school and hire you as my personal legal counsel. you are definitely right 75mph lane split is not legal, but well sometimes those bikes get alittle too eager underneath us. i would like to see this measure pass but still i think its a dream. my gramps bought me my first minibike in 1974. my first moped in 1982 and it only got worse when he took me to see evil knievel, bike races and endless trips to nowhere on the back of his harley. if anyone is afflicted with riding a motorcycle and hoping to see legislation in favor of me and my fellow riders, its me

[liablemtl]

if anyone is afflicted with riding a motorcycle and hoping to see legislation in favor of me and my fellow riders, its me

Yup... as someone who rides year 'round, and as someone who commutes from southeast Portland (205 area) to Beaverton five days a week, and as someone who spent 2 years in California where the law is techinically silent on lane sharing... I'd love to see this thing pass!