WA State Legislature begins discussion of lane splitting

[rodekyll]

I keep saying that the problem with lane splitting is that it's undefined in one state and expressly illegal in the remainder.  It will continue to be illegal and a hazard to riders until the law is changed and the caging public expects and accepts it.  Washington State has a bill on the table that basically makes it legal on certain roads, under certain conditions.  A discussion is in progress.  WA will be the first to take on the issue.  However it shakes out, I think this is the right approach.

It's also an example of how individuals and special interest groups can influence legislation.  The bill is backed by a number of legitimate petitions and individual's testimony.

Unfortunately, I am unable to provide a current link to the article.  Anyone have it?

[andrewdonald1]

I think I even signed the petition.  
Frankly I hope they do it.

Here ya go.

http://www.kgw.com/story/news/politics/2015/01/29/lane-spliting-sharing-washington-legislature/22528719/

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

Webb adds that any motorcycle crash, no matter at what speed, always results in a serious or fatal injury.

Statement implies he's against riding motorcycles in general, lane splitting or not.

[Doppelgaenger]

Hey, good news all you air cooled washingtonians!

We might soon be able ride on the left shoulder, get more screws in our tires and risk getting doors opened into us! Make sure you sign the petition so that the House approves this into law.

http://www.eagleleather.com/Modified-Lane-Splitting-Passes-in-Washington-752/

[not-fishing]

Trooper Chris Webb. Webb adds that any motorcycle crash, no matter at what speed, always results in a serious or fatal injury.

Another "expert" who doesn't know what he's talking about.

I've been in about 6 motorcycle crashes and never been seriously injured.  In the worst crash I did have to buy a new helmet though.  one of the benefits of ATGATT

Compare that to my horseback falls, two falls, on badly broken collar bone and screwed up rotator cuff and I'd say that horses are a lot more dangerous.   :beat_horse

[Lannis]

Another "expert" who doesn't know what he's talking about.

I've been in about 6 motorcycle crashes and never been seriously injured.  In the worst crash I did have to buy a new helmet though.  one of the benefits of ATGATT

Compare that to my horseback falls, two falls, on badly broken collar bone and screwed up rotator cuff and I'd say that horses are a lot more dangerous.   :beat_horse

Yebbut, just have a look out on the highways on any sunny summer Sunday.

The vast majority of riders out there are NOT experienced, geared-up riders on bikes they know how to handle, like you look around here on WG and see.

They are, in fact, 500-mile-a-year yahoos in a SOA vest and T-shirt and beanie (or no helmet at all), wobbling around in big noisy packs.   And when THEY fall, they get hurt bad .....

And that's what the public and the politicians have to go by; that's what they base their impressions on .....

Lannis

[Doppelgaenger]

Unfortunately we have to march to the beat of the slowest drums...

[Tom]

When used correctly, lane splitting helps.  If I didn't split lanes on I-5 going north back to the Mt. Vernon National, I probably would over-heated the engine.  It was a good OPTION after the Malibu National to get to San Diego to ship my bike out.  Traffic was backed up from Santa Monica to Laguna Niguel.

[Tom]

If it passes.  It'll be an option.  You can still stay in traffic and fry your engine.   :-* :-* :-* :-*

[Lannis]

If it passes.  It'll be an option.  You can still stay in traffic and fry your engine.   :-* :-* :-* :-*

The whole point of the anti-lane-splitters is ... they don't WANT it to be an option!

Why?   Because if YOU lane-split, you will BEAT them!   You will get HOME before they do.   You will be AHEAD of them!   It's somehow not FAIR!

It won't slow them down; matter of fact, it will get vehicles off the road faster and traffic overall will speed up.   

But the average American can't STAND the though of anyone "Beating" them, getting "Ahead" of them.   That competitiveness in character can be a national strength when directed properly, but it's BS and out of place on the highways.   

Hope the law allows it everywhere some day.

Lannis

[dilligaf]

What Lannis said.  ;-T  :BEER:
Matt

[Tom]

The whole point of the anti-lane-splitters is ... they don't WANT it to be an option!

Why?   Because if YOU lane-split, you will BEAT them!   You will get HOME before they do.   You will be AHEAD of them!   It's somehow not FAIR!

It won't slow them down; matter of fact, it will get vehicles off the road faster and traffic overall will speed up.   

But the average American can't STAND the though of anyone "Beating" them, getting "Ahead" of them.   That competitiveness in character can be a national strength when directed properly, but it's BS and out of place on the highways.   

Hope the law allows it everywhere some day.

Lannis

No argument from me. 

[infinityontrial]

What Lannis said. End of opposition's argument.