All About Lane Splitting
Lane splitting – or the practice of riding a motorcycle between slowed or stopped vehicles that may be in line for a red light – is a hot topic among those who ride motorcycles. Known by a number of names across the country, including lane sharing, white lining, and filtering, officials in a handful of states across the country have permitted this practice.
While it is not illegal here in Pennsylvania, it is not currently permitted by law. In fact, as of October 2012, motorcyclists who practice lane splitting were still considered to be violating the state’s vehicle code. Roadways that have been selected as motorcycle lanes are the only exception, currently located in Philadelphia.
To help you understand this interesting topic, let’s take a closer look at what the term means and how it is commonly practiced in states where it is not currently permitted by law. We’ll also delve in to the following points:
What Is Lane Splitting, and How Is It Commonly Practiced?
With lane splitting, riders will pass vehicles on a motorcycle between slowing or stopped vehicles that may be stopped for red lights. For those who practice this type of "white lining", it is a way to ease the negative effects of sitting in traffic, along with avoiding exposure to road damage and other hazards that may exist on the roadway .
For riders, this practice makes it easier to extended commutes without wasting time, along with relieving unwanted pressure when it comes to finding parking spaces. The practice may reduce your risk of losing your valuable morning routine, or simply provide you with a way to avoid the pressure of loved ones wondering if you’ve arrived safely during rush hour.
But, of course, not all on the roadways are welcoming. Drivers may simply be unaware of the practice, or might begrudge those who split lanes because they feel it gives motorcyclists an unfair advantage. However, those who practice this method take care to respect the other motorists who share the road.
For riders in states where lane splitting is legal, the key to safely navigating between cars is remaining aware of everything that is happening around them. They tend to gain an understanding of how various vehicles will move, including their acceleration, and exercise caution when in close proximity to side mirrors. This helps them determine when and how to safely pass between vehicles.
So, for those who navigate the roadways and are curious about this practice and its legality, it’s clear that when practiced responsibly, it can be enjoyed by all—riders and drivers alike.
Pennsylvania’s Current Lane Splitting Law
Despite the growing acceptance of lane splitting in other states, Pennsylvania has yet to follow suit. Not only is there no law explicitly permitting the practice, but the state legislature has been pressured to take steps to formally prohibit it all together.
States like California and Colorado have enacted specific laws permitting lane splitting, providing guidance on how motorcyclists should act while lane splitting and what drivers should expect to see on the road. This type of regulation has been beneficial in those states which have passed it; however, with the political climate in Pennsylvania the past decade or two, the chances of any meaningful lane splitting bill passing the legislature are slim.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has historically been a detractor of the lane splitting practice. The Commission’s stance is likely driven by its own goal of having specific, enforceable rules on motorcyclists. Although the exact statistical benefits of lane splitting are unknown, data does suggest that by lanes being full during peak traffic hours, the likelihood of serious injury mitigates, as does the risk of an accident.
Until such time that Pennsylvania specifically revises the state’s motorcycle regulations to enact a law specifically allowing lane splitting, the law will remain the same: this practice is restricted under current law.
Benefits and Downsides of Lane Splitting
Safety is generally the biggest issue in the lane splitting debate. Proponents say that it keeps motorcycles out of blind spots, lessens the risk of rear-end accidents at stop lights (which are more common than you may think) and gives bikers a way to pass through traffic when left stuck in jams caused by accidents and debris. Opponents say there is not enough evidence to prove those claims.
Traffic efficiency is another big consideration. It is estimated that as many as 9 million wasted hours are spent idling in traffic in Pennsylvania each year. It is estimated that lane splitting could result in significant increases in the overall capacity of highway systems by facilitating more efficient use of road space, even after accounting for any loss of capacity due to collisions and accidents from the increased maneuverability of motorcycles. Opponents, on the other hand, fear that, rather than helping, lane splitting will cause more accidents.
Lane Splitting Laws in Other States
In the United States, the status of lane splitting varies widely from state to state. In a handful of states, lane splitting is legal and widely practiced, while in others, it has been deemed illegal by police or has been banned by state law.
A few states such as Arizona, California, Indiana, Maryland and Texas have even introduced bills in their state legislatures to make lane splitting legal and or to change existing laws that prohibit lane splitting to reflect guidelines similar to those in California, where lane splitting, or "white lining" as it’s known there, has been in existence for decades .
In addition to California, other states where lane splitting is legal either by statute or regulation, include:
Alaska
Delaware
Hawaii
Massachusetts
Nevada
Oregon
Utah
Washington
Florida
Kentucky
Tennessee
Virginia
Arizona (de facto banning)
Illinois (de facto banning)
Indiana (blocked by accident liability rules)
Michigan (enforcement policy blocked by accident liability rules)
Missouri
New Jersey
Ohio (blocked by accident liability rules)
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Tennessee
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Best Practices for Motorcyclists
If lane splitting is legal in your state, it’s imperative to know how to do it safely. That means being aware of what is going on around your vehicle, but it also means being comfortable with a relatively high speed and risk of danger. According to the MCN Safety Commission, motorcyclists should avoid lane splitting when: If you’re unsure whether you should be splitting lanes, it’s likely best not to. Unless you’re an experienced professional motorcyclist, or you have very clear knowledge and understanding of lane splitting laws in your state, it’s often best to avoid the practice altogether. If you do lane split, choose your judgment carefully and study the traffic ahead of you and the actions of drivers and motorcyclists around yourself in every situation.
Advocacy and Future Legislation
A push for increased lane splitting law in Pennsylvania has surfaced lately. Groups such as the American Motorcyclists Association (AMA) have lobbied for legislation that would formalize lane splitting or filter lane (the act of moving through congested traffic to the front of the line) in Pennsylvania. They claim this method of legalizing the practice would make things safer for both motorists and bikers. On July 17, 2013, nearly 10,000 people signed a petition on theWhiteHouse.gov website asking the Obama Administration to encourage states to allow lane splitting. A lane splitting law similar to the one passed in California could improve rider safety. It could allow riders to legally maneuver in ways that are currently dangerous, such as getting around a car waiting to merge onto a freeway. It could protect motorcyclists from getting rear ended by cars stopped in traffic. It could provide a temporary respite to bikers caught in traffic jams while increasing fuel efficiency at the same time. Motorcycle emissions would be reduced because bikers would not have to idle in traffic. Lane splitting laws have the support of several research groups including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , and the National Transportation Safety Board. However, increased lane splitting would come at some cost to both the state and drivers. For instance, with increased lane sharing, there may be an increase in cyclist accidents and injuries due to rider complacency. Additionally, low income drivers who pay tolls and gas taxes to get to work on time may be forced to pay higher rates because of the added congestion created by motorcyclists. Advocacy groups such as the AMA have proposed alternative methods to legalize lane splitting. In addition to the White House petition, the AMA has partnered with the Alliance of Motorcycle Organizations (AMO) to create a website for grassroots advocacy called www.ridetoworkday.com. On the website, riders can send their representatives emails advocating the ride to work day and lane splitting practices. Indeed, there is discussion to formalize a lane splitting law in Pennsylvania. Whether it will go into effect any time soon remains to be seen.