1, 2017, and formally defined legal lane-splitting in California. Skip to content. This technique, while great for moving through congested areas quickly, is illegal in NYC. . It is illegal throughout most of the United States. In the states not mentioned, lane splitting is completely illegal, and lane-splitting motorcyclists may end up in. 1, 2021. There is no longer an official rule that makes lane splitting illegal or legal in California. For instance, it’s legal in California but illegal in some other states. Utah and Montana allow motorcycles to do something similar to lane splitting in very restricted conditions. Section 32-5A-242 (c) of the Alabama Code prohibits motorcycle operation between traffic lanes or adjacent lines or rows of vehicles. 3 min read. For more information, please call (800) 928-1511. Proponents said the bill was a compromise from past attempts to legalize lane splitting in Oregon and drew a distinction between the proposal and the law in California, where riders can travel in. Overtaking and Passing Certain Stationary Vehicles. Petersburg. If three or more bikers share a lane, it’s illegal. There are a few reasons why lane splitting is legal in some states. Whether you call it lane splitting, sharing, or filtering, the practice of. This can be helpful during. Do not ride between rows of stopped or moving motor vehicles. Lane splitting is a common practice among motorcycle riders, even though it is not always legal. Put differently, lane splitting involves driving along the dashed line between rows of vehicles, turning it into a temporary, mini-express lane solely for motorcycles. The official pro-lane-splitting bill became active in California on January 1st, 2017. The state does not have any specific laws that address or regulate lane splitting. Many Californians find it convenient as motorcyclists and moped drivers can go around the. In Utah, filtering through traffic is only permitted under certain conditions. Chapter 76. Though controversial in our part of the. ” Lane Splitting Law: Alabama: Lane splitting is illegal. For the other 49 states, the act of lane splitting is either fully illegal, or no clear legislation on the matter currently exists. The details of the law are outlined below, in our original piece from when the Arizona state legislature signed this bill into law in March, 2022. SB 422 does not use the terms “lane filtering” or “lane splitting. Alaska Statutes . Offenses and Accidents Section 185. 1. A vehicle could attempt to change lanes while you are improperly passing it, causing a motor vehicle collision which will likely injure you (one of many examples I. The lane-splitting law does not permit motorcyclists to ride on the shoulder of the road or to share a lane with a large vehicle such as a semi-truck or a motorhome. 4. Motorcycles and motor scooters with engine displacement of less than 50cc can beAS 28. Although lane splitting is illegal in Wisconsin, motorcyclists may violate traffic laws in this manner, and accidents can occur as a result. I did come across this when looking up the actual law awhile ago, this is the statute verbatim: Lane Splitting 257. Montana. Proposals to allow lane splitting have been introduced repeatedly in Oregon but. Lane splitting is a term to describe a motorcycle passing between lanes of adjacent slower-moving traffic. This technique is also known as white lining to experienced motorcyclists. No, absolutely do not "send it" between cars. Lane splitting in Utah. Yeah, it's illegal, but culturally, there's an unwritten, unspoken pass for lane filtering and splitting. In most accounts of lane splitting experiences, people tend to combine splitting and filtering into a single category. Lane splitting is legal for motorcyclists in California, and. Lane splitting is currently legal in California and Arizona. While this law falls under the purview of each state, only California has currently made it legal. Read on to learn more about lane splitting. Alaska requires the operator of any motorcycle with an engine displacement of 50cc or more to have a Class M1or M3 license in addition to the regular license. The state classifies lane splitting as “lane filtering” and is legal in certain situations. The Colorado Department of Transportation’s Motorcycle Laws makes it clear that lane splitting is illegal. And it’s illegal in Oklahoma. The first one is commonly known as lane sharing. B. 4 percent versus 15. by John E. Motorcyclists are required to stay within their designated lanes while riding on public roads and highways. Florida Statute 316. Lane-splitting is specifically legal only in California. Examples of driver negligence include speeding, swerving, sudden braking and lane. The Risks of Lane Splitting. In some states, it is not explicitly illegal while in others, like Tennessee, it is banned under state law. Austin Rothbard. 7 percent). You have to remember that unless your vehicle laws specifically outlaw lane splitting, it may in fact be in a legal grey area. This has been an uphill battle for many reasons, and currently, there’s no push for lane splitting to be made legal in Pennsylvania. Yes, lane splitting is legal in Alabama. Advocates point out that lane splitting reduces congestion, allowing motorcycles to move forward through traffic and take up less space on the road, thus reducing congestion. Once passed, this law will allow lane-filtering events at red lights as long as the cars are stationary. Alaska has established a law against driving motorcycles on roadways laned for traffic. You should keep up-to-date with your state’s regulations, or any other states that you might plan to driv. In December 2016, State Senator Kirk Watson (D) introduced Senate Bill 288, which would have allowed lane-splitting in Texas, so long as the rider was travelling in traffic moving slower than 20 mph and was going no more than 5 mph faster than other road users. Some states have definitions in the law for how lane splitting should be carried out, others simply allow it. SB 422 does not use the terms “lane filtering” or “lane splitting. What is the Anti Lane Splitting Law of 2019? Basically, HB 1419 states that: “Any motorcycle stopping or passing through vehicles during traffic on a broken white line in highways shall likewise be considered as lane splitting. Motorcycle lane splitting is broadly legal in California. “He hit his lights, tripped the siren. Motorcycle lane splitting has been around since the beginning of the motor age. Motorcycle lane-splitting — the rush-hour time saver for bikers that enrages many drivers — may be poised for formal legalization. The only U. Today, many states are considering whether they should change their laws to permit lane splitting. Motorcyclists often wonder if lane splitting is legal in Nova Scotia. All motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full use of a lane. There is no specific law addressing lane splitting in Alaska, so the legality of this practice is something of a gray area. Though lane splitting is not explicitly. 880 21st ave n. There is no specific law addressing lane splitting in Alaska, so the legality of this practice is something of a gray area. Motorcycle lane splitting is not legal in Alaska. OK so, while this doesn't answer your question. Lane-sharing. This would really help for both vehicle and human overheating in the hot summer months. Alaska Lane Splitting LawsMotorcycle lane splitting is not legal in Alaska. According to Code O. ” There is a lot of traffic in California, the weather is good, and there are many more motorcycle riders than in. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), motorcycles need their own full lanes to operate safely as riding between rows of cars, whether moving or stopped, can leave. Finally, most states still have laws on the books making lane splitting illegal. 309-550-7543; Home; Quote; Why Us? Posted on: May 5, 2023. Specifically, the states prohibit motorcycles from passing a vehicle in the same lane and riding between lanes of traffic or rows of vehicles. The Step-by-Step Guide California is the only state where lane splitting is legal. "A. Lane Splitting Rules of the Road. Texas Transportation Code § 545. 209 Operating motorcycles on roadways laned for traffic. Read on to learn more about lane splitting, why it’s illegal, and what the ramifications are for someone who’s in an accident while lane splitting. The law reads as follows: “ (a) The operator of a motorcycle shall be entitled to the full use of any single traffic lane, but the operation of more than two motorcycles abreast in any single traffic lane is prohibited. Currently, lane splitting is illegal in New York. While lane splitting is legal in some states like California, it is illegal in Texas. Again, lane splitting refers to the practice of driving a motorcycle between lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic, typically on a multi-lane road or highway during a traffic jam. Utah uses the term lane filtering to describe the practice and defines it thusly: “Lane filtering” means, when operating a motorcycle other than an autocycle, the act of overtaking and passing another vehicle that is stopped in the same direction of travel in the same lane. ”. In motorcycle lane-filtering, a motorcyclist who is stopped at the rear of two lanes full of vehicles may. Lane filtering is a similar activity. Lane sharing generally refers to two motorcyclists sharing space in the. Straying from your lane while on a motorcycle into lanes occupied by other vehicles is commonly referred to as “lane splitting. Lane splitting is where you can ride between vehicles that are moving slowly or are stationary. Hawk Law Group – Aiken County, SC. Stipulations in Texas Laws Regarding Lane Splitting. Lane splitting is not legal in the United States (in most states), that being said, there are some exceptions. Conversely, some states do not consider lane splitting a. ORANGE States: A bill to legalize lane splitting or filtering is being considered but the practice remains specifically. Alaska Lane Splitting Laws Motorcycle lane splitting is not legal in Alaska. 3. It was neither legal nor explicitly illegal as it is now. As we mentioned, lane splitting is not legal in the state of Florida. Filtering refers to when a motorcycle travels to the front of stopped traffic,. ”. “Lane splitting” or “lane filtering” will be legal in Montana beginning Oct. However, this does not mean that it is completely legal. In fact, while lane splitting is legal in some parts of Europe and Asia, in the United States, only California has legalized lane splitting. Despite efforts to legalize the practice, lane splitting is illegal in Texas and lane splitters may be subject to a $175 fine. Remember, Florida Statute 316. As of 2022, some states have legalized lane splitting. Passing legislation to permit lane splitting may be the easiest part of the process. Lane-Splitting in California. com has all the information you need to get on the road and stay on the road. Utah and Montana allow motorcycles to do something similar to lane splitting in very restricted conditions. S. Oakland, CA 94601. Georgia’s Motor Vehicles and Traffic Code §40-6-312 states that motorcyclists cannot operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or adjacent rows or lines of traffic. But that doesn't mean our laws are any clearer! The Ontario Ministry of Transportation states that filtering is “extremely dangerous,” but they make no reference to an actual law. In 12 other states, including Delaware, Kentucky, Texas, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, New Mexico, Missouri, Ohio. Only a handful of states don’t have laws against lane-splitting!” NO, this is looking at different data. Other states have tried to pass lane filtering laws since then, with limited success. Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent. Drivers may collide with lane-splitting riders when changing lanes. Lane splitting (also known as riding the stripe or white lining) refers to the practice of driving a motorcycle between lanes of moving traffic. . California, Utah, Montana, Hawaii and Arizona allow some form of lane splitting in state law. Lane splitting allows motorcycles to occupy space on the highway that isn. If enacted, it would amend existing Missouri state law. 14-289b) that makes lane splitting illegal. This legislation update allows motorcyclists to split lanes provided that: The rider observes a speed limit of 20 mph. The legality of lane splitting varies greatly across the United States. The short answer is no–lane splitting is illegal in Nova Scotia. Lane splitting is riding a bicycle or motorcycle between lanes or rows of slow moving or stopped traffic moving in the same direction. Lane filtering. According to the American Motorcyclist Association, lane splitting is when a motorcycle passes between clearly marked lanes for traffic traveling in the same direction. Arizona Lane splitting in Arizona is currently illegal. The law also states that maneuvering around lanes has to be done safely, which leaves some ambiguity about what exactly constitutes “safe” lane splitting. This technique is officially recognized as legal only in the state of California. Although it might save time and be convenient, lane splitting is a risky driving behavior, and therefore, illegal in Illinois. As of 2022, Californiais the first and only state to make lane splitting explicitly legal, and before that, it was a respected practice. However, lane sharing is legal, and two motorcycles can ride beside each other, or slightly staggered, in the same lane. Lane filtering is technically legal in Arizona as of 2022, but only under certain conditions. Currently, 19 states in the US allow lane splitting. As of 2022, Californiais the first and only state to make lane splitting explicitly legal, and before that, it was a respected practice. Arizona’s law focuses on lane filtering in specific instances, like the few other states that have legalized this practice. Yes, motorcyclists can share a driving lane side-by-side in Texas. California. It’s often associated in North America with California – hence the term the “California Roll”, where it’s legal under. Lane splitting is the practice of a motorcycle rider driving between lanes of stopped or slow-moving cars. A motorcycle may overtake a vehicle on the left only if that vehicle is. I think it should be legal for motorcycles to ride in breakdown lanes when traffic is at a complete standstill, but only at a low speed. Call (210) 366-4949 today for a free consultation. Brown, Jr. While this law falls under the purview of each state, only California has currently made it legal. California has had lane-splitting laws on the books for a few years now, and studies were even conducted by Dr. Hawaii. gov -. Lane splitting is a controversial topic among motorists. A: Currently, lane splitting is only legal in eight states: Arizona, California, Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. These rules often change and adapt, and a lawyer can help guide you to ensure your legal safety. Section 56-5-3640(c) of the South Carolina Code of Laws expressly states, “No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic, or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles. The lack of legislation on this issue leaves room for interpretation and enforcement by law enforcement officers. Even if it is legal, lane splitting can be a dangerous practice. There are three topics that are big sources of contention between riders and non-riders, and even between motorcyclists: helmet requirements, loud pipes, and lane splitting. Lane-splitting turns road lines into temporary lanes for motorcycles. It’s also called “lane filtering. The legalization of lane splitting in California was the first in the country, but most other states refuse to do so due to safety concerns. Lane splitting or filtering would be very difficult and dangerous on their streets, so shoulder surfing became a legal alternative in 2018. Here are three key things to know:. For example, lane splitting in Hawaii is illegal because of narrow roads, but motorcycle riders can pass on the shoulder lane if traffic is at a standstill. Lane splitting occurs when a motorcycle rides at any speed between two lanes of stopped traffic. Tea stop conversations start the same type of debate that rages when discussing crossing a solid white line to pass queuing. states, motorcycle lane splitting is barred in Alabama. When it comes to ensuring that motorcyclists are safe on the road, state traffic laws are very important, and New York has several laws in place regarding motorcyclists. Overtaking and Passing Certain Stationary Vehicles. Utah uses the term lane filtering to describe the practice and defines it thusly: “Lane filtering” means, when operating a motorcycle other than an autocycle, the act of overtaking and passing another vehicle that is stopped in the same direction of travel in the same lane. Nonetheless, due to motorcycles being smaller and harder to spot from far away distances; lane splitting can put them in danger of getting hit by drivers when they switch lanes. Additionally, riders are not permitted to travel more than 10 miles per hour faster than the flow of traffic, and if the traffic is moving at more than 30 miles per hour, lane. Austin is an experienced business leader and passionate rider. Lane splitting by motorcyclists is legal in California. Lane splitting in Utah. Lane splitting is legal in California because the state recognizes it as a tool to decrease traffic congestion. However, there are four more states- Arizona, Hawaii, Montana, and Utah where lane filtering is allowed with certain restrictions. State law prohibits this type of riding, and motorcyclists that are in an accident while lane splitting often face liability for the damage. States where modified versions of lane-splitting have been legalized: Utah; From the distribution presented above, it appears that California is the only state where lane-splitting is declaredly legal. Motorcyclists typically lane split to avoid stopping in heavy or stopped traffic. States Where Lane Splitting Is Illegal. . Filtering in Utah became legal in May. Short answer: Is Lane Splitting Legal in Michigan? No, lane splitting or filtering is currently not legal in the state of Michigan. Governor Greg Gianforte signed a bill in March to make allows drivers of two-wheeled motorcycles to overtake stopped or slow-moving vehicles at a speed not greater than 20 miles per hour, in order to “filter” between lanes of stopped traffic traveling in the same. Legal Complexities: The legality of lane splitting varies broadly. The Cons of Lane Splitting. Lane splitting is illegal in North Carolina. First, not only is lane-sharing or lane-splitting legal in California, but the CHP wrote the safety guidelines as instructed in AB51, which was approved by Gov. In the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and. A motorcycle may overtake a vehicle on the right within the same lane if it is safe to do so. Unfortunately, the bill failed to make it from the committee to the floor of the. Lane splitting is illegal in Alaska. You have to remember that unless your vehicle laws specifically outlaw lane splitting, it may in fact be in a legal grey area. state that has legalized lane-splitting is California. It does not allow lane splitting, but rather lane. Lane splitting is not permitted in Mississippi, but it is not illegal in other states. However, as of 2021, no bills have been passed that would legalize lane splitting in Florida. Motorcycles can, however, share a lane known as “co-riding. Failure to. August 12, 2022. og_rocktrash. Lane Splitting. States where modified versions of lane-splitting have been legalized: Utah; From the distribution presented above, it appears that California is the only state where lane-splitting is declaredly legal. Instead, supporters said this law will enable riders to. Motorcyclists are significantly less likely to be injured or killed if they're. Chapter 73. In all other states, it is currently illegal. 209 (3) reads “no person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles,” making this practice illegal throughout the state. , Ste 668, San Francisco, CA 94104 and at 3140 Chapman St. Drivers in the far left lane should move to the left of their lane to give motorcyclists ample room to pass. Although it was never “illegal,” the state of California enacted house bill AB 51 to officially make lane splitting legal. Given the current trends in Pennsylvania traffic laws, it doesn’t look like it will become legal anytime soon. Lane splitting is illegal in Florida. Motorcycles and motor scooters with engine displacement of less than 50cc can be AS 28. 1. Lane splitting is widely regarded as illegal in Canada. ”. I had the piss scared outa me one day: Motor cop bleeped his siren. ”. Filtering in Utah became legal in May. A track and ski kit might be fun up there. Lane splitting, which is the practice of riding a motorcycle between lanes of traffic, is not legal in Pennsylvania. com. Lane splitting, also known as “white lining” and even “lane filtering” in some regions, is a practice where a motorcyclist rides their bike between lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic on a multi-lane road. The firearm can be within reach and clearly visible, or you can conceal it. While North Carolina law does not speak specifically on lane splitting, it does talk about lane sharing. Lane splitting. Violators of this law may face fines. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature or via Westlaw before relying on it for your legal. Lane splitting laws differ from state to state. According to the University of California Berkeley, lane splitting on a. The California Highway Patrol wrote educational safety guidelines for lane-splitting after the passage of Assembly Bill 51, which became law on Jan. Lane filtering is available in Arizona, Hawaii, Montana, and Utah. (706) 437 9122. According to the American Motorcyclist Association's website, every state except California bans the practice of lane splitting. Is it legal for motorcycles to split lanes? Lane splitting is not recommended so that accidents may not occur. 2) It is dangerous to split traffic on a motorcycle just like it is on a bicycle. You should keep up-to-date with your state’s regulations, or any other states that you might plan to driv. Once people realize that the motorcycle/scooter “getting ahead” of them is. Although it may sound intimidating, lane splitting is a legal maneuver in some countries and states including California. While there are. The state allows lane splitting. Utah uses the term lane filtering to describe the practice and defines it thusly: “Lane filtering” means, when operating a motorcycle other than an autocycle, the act of overtaking and. A motorcycle may overtake a vehicle on the right within the same lane if it is safe to do so. Image Credit: motorcycle. It's not mentioned anywhere in the rules of the road. nope. So when an accident occurs due to lane splitting, how it is handled may depend on the officer that arrives at the scene. Motorcycles can, however, share a lane known as “co-riding. Lane splitting, also called lane sharing or white lining, is when a motorcyclist maneuvers their bike between lanes or rows of unmoving or barely moving vehicles that are heading the same way. While lane splitting occurs more often with motorcycles, it is also illegal to lane split in a car or any other motor vehicle. In lane sharing, you’re allowing other traffic to use the unused portion of a lane. Lane splitting is illegal in Texas, while most states have no laws expressly forbidding it. “Lane splitting” or “lane filtering” will be legal in Montana beginning Oct. Violation of this law may result in fines and penalties assessed by law enforcement. "A. Utah uses the term lane filtering to describe the practice and defines it thusly: “Lane filtering” means, when operating a motorcycle other than an autocycle, the act of overtaking and passing another vehicle that is stopped in the same direction of travel in the same lane. Motorcyclists commonly practice two types of lane splitting in Virginia. You're just being a nuisance if you're going more than ~20mph over the rate of traffic and going to get yourself killed. There are no legal speed limits applying to lane sharing or lane-splitting (for example, 40 mph). Contrary to some media reports, the new Arizona lane filtering law differs from the California lane splitting law. Motorcycle lane splitting is not legal in Alaska. (Photo courtesy of the AMA) S. From La. The motorcyclist rides the white line between the lanes of traffic to pass the slower-moving vehicle around them. The official pro-lane-splitting bill became active in California on January 1st, 2017. Lane splitting is a technique that is legally allowed in a few states throughout the country but not Washington. In cases of severe gridlock, motorcyclists may lane split through multiple lanes of traffic. What Is Lane Splitting? Lane splitting is when a motorcyclist rides between two lanes of slow-moving traffic. This means that you should not split lanes if. Petty Traffic Violation Penalties. The key to safe lane splitting is keeping the difference in speed between other vehicles and you as. Pros of Lane Splitting. However, Utah and Montana have restricted laws regarding lane splitting. Lane splitting: This is a type of road maneuver that is mostly associated with motorcycles. Utah officially. Dovah November 4, 2022 At 4:46 pm. 4. Under the legislation, motorcyclists would be able to use lane-splitting on roads with speed limits of less than 45 mph. Lane splitting as defined by the California Vehicle Code Section 21658. The second type happens when a motorcycle rides between two lanes – often on the. In January 2017, the aptly-named State Senator Jeff Kruse ® introduced Senate Bill 385, which would have allowed lane splitting in Oregon, if the rider was on a roadway marked for at least 50 mph in traffic moving slower than 10 mph. New law becomes official Sept. When done between vehicles stopped at a traffic signal, it is called “lane filtering. com. Previously, Texas had no laws addressing lane splitting at all. - The road has 2 or more adjacent traffic lanes in the same direction of travel. Today, a cop told me that it was and when I sent screenshots from a law office that says it isnt legal nor illegal and that they would cite you for reckless driving instead, he said “Go ahead and try lane splitting in Kentucky. 1 (a) was added to the California Vehicle Code. Alaska: For passengers and for all under 18: Required by law unless equipped with windscreen which is 15″ or higher above handlebars: Not. Operating motorcycles on roadways laned for traffic;Get Legal Advice on Lane Splitting as a Motorcyclist. Virginia legalized this practice in 2012. While lane splitting is legal in some. As a motorcyclist, it is important to know the laws on lane splitting in your state. Motorcyclists sometimes use lane splitting to avoid being rear-ended in stop-and-go traffic. Lane-splitting is the act of a two-wheeled motor vehicle, usually a motorcycle or other motorized bicycle, driving between lanes of traffic on the lines of a road. According to the University of California Berkeley, lane splitting on a. Lane filtering in Utah is legal only when the road has two or more lanes in the same direction. Co-riding is limited to one other vehicle, so a. Per Illinois statute 625 ILCS §5/11-703 (c), any person operating a two-wheeled vehicle such as a motorcycle, moped, or. 309-550-7543; Home; Quote; Why Us? Blog. Lane splitting as defined by the California Vehicle Code Section 21658. The Texas Transportation Code § 545. In the video mentioned earlier in this article ( here’s the link again , just in case), the Utah Department of Public Safety attempts to show what safe lane filtering looks like. ”. Nonetheless, due to motorcycles being smaller and harder to spot from far away distances; lane splitting can put them in danger of getting hit by drivers when they switch lanes. 1, 2021. Lane splitting in Utah. MotorcycleZombies. (Senate Bill 1273) Arkansas: Not specifically prohibited in state law. This means the act of lane splitting is neither explicitly legal or illegal. That was California for a long time; it wasn't specifically outlawed. Motorcycle Laws. If HB 1419 becomes a law, the penalty will be PHP 1,500 for the first offense, PHP 3,000 for the second offense, and PHP 5,000 for. Is lane splitting legal in Ohio? Let’s take a closer look at these practices and the regulations surrounding them. As of 2008, the state Code was revised to include 3-wheelers as motorcycles. Conclusion. Despite the. Arizona Lane splitting in Arizona is currently illegal. What Is Lane Splitting? “Lane splitting” is a term often used interchangeably with “lane sharing” and “filtering,” but these terms technically apply to different actions. What is the Anti Lane Splitting Law of 2019? Basically, HB 1419 states that: “Any motorcycle stopping or passing through vehicles during traffic on a broken white line in highways shall likewise be considered as lane splitting. By Michael Steinger Published March 10, 2022 The legality of lane splitting has long been a cause for debate in the United States. As of this writing, lane splitting is only legal in one state: California, though Utah and Hawaii have legalized modified versions of lane splitting. ” The simplicity of this definition is the problem—it doesn’t draw the line between splitting and filtering. Is Lane Splitting Legal in Arkansas? The statutes make no reference to lane sharing, lane filtering, or lane splitting in Arkansas. Virtually all side streets and highways have white lines used as a boundary to indicate the division between multiple lanes of traffic. Motor Vehicles Chapter 35. In Idaho, lane splitting is strictly illegal. Lane splitting, also called lane sharing or white lining, is when a motorcyclist maneuvers their bike between lanes or rows of unmoving or barely moving vehicles that are heading the same way. 185. If a vehicle driver doesn’t exercise caution when driving, vehicles around them are in danger. The state doesn’t allow lane splitting but you can’t ride on the shoulder of the road when traffic is heavy. S. ”. It isn’t allowed on freeways. 209 articles 2-4, which read: (2) The operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken. Texas Transportation Code § 545. In France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and most other countries, the practice is not just lawful, it’s expected. C. California is one of the only states that permits lane splitting, which is when motorcyclists drive between two lanes of traffic. The California Highway Patrol wrote educational safety guidelines for lane-splitting after the passage of Assembly Bill 51, which became law on Jan. Lane splitting is legal in Israel and is nearly universally practiced. Keep in mind that lane-splitting is not synonymous with lane sharing. Modeled off Utah’s legislation, the. In states where lane splitting is. B. Others say that it is unsafe and exposes motorcyclists to increased risk on the road. You run a major risk in receiving a ticket if you lane split outside of California so ride with caution. The only kind of legal lane splitting in Colorado is when the splitting involves two motorcycles using the same lane. “It is very safe as long as you are keeping your speed reasonable compared to the surrounding traffic,” said Nick Haris, a lobbyist for the group. • Lane-splitting causes confusion at intersections. [1] [2] It is sometimes called whitelining, or.