Lane Splitting - motorcycle question

[Sweet Diva]

question regarding lane-splitting here in BC. I understand that it is legal for motorcyles to lane split in California and in Texas. I have been trying to research the MVA to see what, if any, exceptions there are here for motorcylces.

[Blue coyote]

As far as I can remember from my riding days, its not legal here. Same for riding the shoulder. But using the HOV lane is allowed.

[skidmark]

Sorry, you cannot legally lane split here in BC.

[Sweet Diva]

Thanks for the info. Would you happen to know if anyone has tried to have legislation brought forward to allow lane splitting in BC? I understand that Washington State is in the process of passing a Bill right now to that effect.

[muddhunter]

I remeber reading somewhere that there is a group trying to pass lane splitting in B.C. I can't remember where I read that though, it was either at the motorcycle show or on bcsportbikes.com.

[skidmark]

My friend on the California Highway Patrol tells me this is accepted practice there. I don't know how keen I would be to try it knowing that motorcycles are harder to spot to start with and how a lot of drivers don't look before they lane change much less monitor any traffic that is not in front of them.

I've never heard of anyone trying to change the rules in BC, but that's what MLAs are for.

[nuckledragger]

BC coalition of motorcycles is proposing to legalize "lane filtering" when it is safe to do so. They have various reasons and criteria for this proposal. Where they are at with this I do not know. Check the site or contact them.

[Wes Rempel]

SQUISH!

There are bikes that do this on the Patullo approach from Surrey and at 6th on McBride every day.

Only a matter of time before they get caught between 2 dump trucks....

[nuckledragger]

They are not lobbying for lane splitting, it is lane filtering and it will only be allowed at stops, to let motorcycles move to the front if it is safe to do so as they can accelerate faster than cars under normal throttle. Check with BCCOM for the details

[Blue coyote]

Originally posted by Wes Rempel

Only a matter of time before they get caught between 2 dump trucks....

Yeah, but most lower mainland bikers have either gotten used to that in regular traffic or gotten rid of the bike (that's how I started getting into 4x4s)

[kmay]

As someone who rides most days, yes you do occasionally see some ashat do that. Most are okay but there are some REALLY jealous people out there - ie if I have to sit in this traffic jam, then so should you! Great thinking - I guess if you have to eat broccolli, so should I?
(I only split when the traffic is completely stopped, once it starts going ~10kms or so I jump back into the conga line)

[crazyguy]

I wish I would have managed to make it between the lanes last august when I was rear ended on my bike. I wouldn't have minded the ticket. it would have been better then the headaches and the weird poping my joints make now when I stretch(like when you crack your knuckles only everything in my upper back, shoulders, and neck do it).

[kmay]

Just to hyjack the thread a bit; yeah, getting rear-ended is one of my fears. I keep the bike in gear whenever stopped, check my mirrors until a cage finally pulls up behind me and I also installed some "Hyperlites" VERY bright LEDs that flash continuously whenever the brake is on.
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