New Maryland Bill Would Authorize Motorcycle Lane Splitting if Passed

Kyle_E

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Utah has a decent shot at passing it this year. Passed the House now in the Senate and Highway Patrol came out in favor of it. Its not California style, would only be allowed on streets with less than 55mph speed limit to filter to the front at red lights. But its a start.

I heard something about the Oregon bill having a good chance as well. But couldn't find any reputable reports other than the typical 30 sec new story about them considering it.
 

Sierra1

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Texas thought THEIR's was going to pass. Even went so far to put it in the books with an effective date....never made it. That being said, I still "filter" when it can be done safely, and my boys and I ride side by side; we have comms and plenty of practice for it to be done safely.
 

Defekticon

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Bill was DOA having been sponsored by a delegate from Harford County. As a former prisoner resident of Harford and Cecil county MD there isn't much of a conversation in Annapolis thanks to long gerrymandered voting districts. If there was ever two states that needed lane filtering it was VA and MD. I don't miss the traffic - at all having commuted to Tysons Corner, VA frequently.
 

Checkswrecks

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The ALREADY existing thread is here: https://advrider.com/f/threads/lane-splitting-bill-in-maryland.1368420/page-2#post-37134095

As somebody involved in the effort, I'll add some items that people seem to miss:

1. The Bill was modeled on the one which passed in California and also used as the basis for the Bill which passed in Utah.

2. Nobody expected it to pass on this first attempt, recognizing that opposition will need to be chipped away year after year. Don't bitch - Do help.

3. The Bill called for an education campaign for 4-wheel drivers.

4. It would limit lane sharing to a certain speed faster than traffic UP TO A MAXIMUM. It would probably be the California numbers (iirc) of 10 mph faster than traffic and stop lane sharing when traffic reaches 30 mph.

I'm standing in front of the Maryland flag in the video below and want to note that the few people you see are all who showed up. If you agree then please show up next year.

https://www.wbaltv.com/article/lane-splitting-bill/26575353
 

jbrown

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The ALREADY existing thread is here: https://advrider.com/f/threads/lane-splitting-bill-in-maryland.1368420/page-2#post-37134095

As somebody involved in the effort, I'll add some items that people seem to miss:

1. The Bill was modeled on the one which passed in California and also used as the basis for the Bill which passed in Utah.
I wasn't aware that a bill actually passed in California. The CHP had lane sharing guidelines posted for a while before they were forced to take them down. As far as I know, there is no California law that specifically makes lane splitting legal. It's just up to the CHP to decide if you are doing unsafe lane changing. Of course, I'd be happy to be proven wrong on that!
 

Kyle_E

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I wasn't aware that a bill actually passed in California. The CHP had lane sharing guidelines posted for a while before they were forced to take them down. As far as I know, there is no California law that specifically makes lane splitting legal. It's just up to the CHP to decide if you are doing unsafe lane changing. Of course, I'd be happy to be proven wrong on that!
Yes there was actually a law passed in 2016 for CA.
https://lanesplittingislegal.com/lane-splitting-news/ab-51-signed-by-governor-brown-lane-splitting-is-officially-on-the-books-in-california
 

jbrown

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Well what do ya know! I sure missed that!
It looks like it just says lane splitting is real and the CHP is now allowed to develop and publish guidelines. It doesn't actually set any guidelines or limits. So it is still pretty much up to the CHP officer to decide if you are being unsafe.
 

Kyle_E

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Well what do ya know! I sure missed that!
It looks like it just says lane splitting is real and the CHP is now allowed to develop and publish guidelines. It doesn't actually set any guidelines or limits. So it is still pretty much up to the CHP officer to decide if you are being unsafe.
Literally nothing changed when the law was passed.

They did actually publish guidelines for a few years. I forget off the top of my head, something like 35mph max and 10 above what traffic is moving (common sense) Stick to left most lanes etc. Just generally putting in ink what everyone with a brain had been doing anyway.

Then they got sued because they called it rules not guidelines and it came down. Not sure what the status of it is currently.
 

Defekticon

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I can respect the effort, Bob. After testifying in Annapolis in support/opposition of other bills while I was a resident there, my eyes's were really opened at how much contempt the MD General Assembly has in for it's constituency. Zero respect or open an open mind to anyone willing to show up and testify in support or opposition to proposed legislation. I completely lost faith in my state's government after those trips to Annapolis and led to being a big part of the reason I don't live there anymore.

The ALREADY existing thread is here: https://advrider.com/f/threads/lane-splitting-bill-in-maryland.1368420/page-2#post-37134095

As somebody involved in the effort, I'll add some items that people seem to miss:

1. The Bill was modeled on the one which passed in California and also used as the basis for the Bill which passed in Utah.

2. Nobody expected it to pass on this first attempt, recognizing that opposition will need to be chipped away year after year. Don't bitch - Do help.

3. The Bill called for an education campaign for 4-wheel drivers.

4. It would limit lane sharing to a certain speed faster than traffic UP TO A MAXIMUM. It would probably be the California numbers (iirc) of 10 mph faster than traffic and stop lane sharing when traffic reaches 30 mph.

I'm standing in front of the Maryland flag in the video below and want to note that the few people you see are all who showed up. If you agree then please show up next year.

https://www.wbaltv.com/article/lane-splitting-bill/26575353
 

Baldrick

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I wouldn't trust the people along the I-95 corridor to pull out of their driveway without hitting something, much less abide by lane splitting.
 

Tenman

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Lane splitting is illegal everywhere I’ve been. I have never done a lot of big city riding. It’s kinda scary thought for me. I’ve seen too many close calls by idiot drivers. People just don’t look for bikes and when they see one. It’s not considered a real threat to a cager. It comes down to me not having a lot of faith in the average motorist. At 64. I don’t need to be at the ER. All the ERs around here are full of COVID-19 folks.
 

Checkswrecks

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I wouldn't trust the people along the I-95 corridor to pull out of their driveway without hitting something, much less abide by lane splitting.
The proposal is mainly a test corridor along 50 because of the bridge backups.
 

Sierra1

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For me, only time that I've done it, is when traffic is completely stopped. Either at a red light, or a long back up. But, I have lived in CA.
 

yen_powell

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Would someone explain to a UK resident what lane splitting is, is it riding between lanes of static traffic, moving traffic or overtaking on the inside lane?
 

Kyle_E

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Would someone explain to a UK resident what lane splitting is, is it riding between lanes of static traffic, moving traffic or overtaking on the inside lane?
Terminology here in the US.

Lane splitting is moving between cars that are moving at a slow rate of speed. Only legal in CA. Basically only used on freeways and when cars are going slower than 35 or so MPH. You typically do it between the carpool lane and the left most lane. It cuts MAJOR time off the morning commute. Friend lives in Corona and works in LA. In his truck the commute is 2.5-3 hours each way. 45min on the bike lane splitting. California freeways are parking lots.

Lane filtering is driving between stopped cars on regular streets up to the red light to be first to take off. Only legal in CA and UT.
 

yen_powell

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Terminology here in the US.

Lane splitting is moving between cars that are moving at a slow rate of speed. Only legal in CA. Basically only used on freeways and when cars are going slower than 35 or so MPH. You typically do it between the carpool lane and the left most lane. It cuts MAJOR time off the morning commute. Friend lives in Corona and works in LA. In his truck the commute is 2.5-3 hours each way. 45min on the bike lane splitting. California freeways are parking lots.

Lane filtering is driving between stopped cars on regular streets up to the red light to be first to take off. Only legal in CA and UT.
Thank you.
 

Sierra1

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Texas had Senate Bill 288, which was trying to pass a version of lane splitting. Even went so far to say that it was going to be effective 1SEP17. Didn't pass the final vote though. We can ride side by side though. The only time I do it though is with my kids (w/comms), and people I really trust and know. 'Cuz, it doesn't take much for it to go to s**t.
 
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