I know lane-splitting is semi-legal in California, in the sense, we can do it as long as we do it safely. I do it all the time when there is traffic and when I am riding my motorcycle on a multi-lane street.
Now most of the streets in my city has only a single lane (along with a bike lane at the side for bicycles) and there is a lot of traffic sometimes. Would it be alright to do lane-splitting with the bicycle lane ? (ie, travel between the single lane and bicycle lane, just like i do between two car lanes) Has anyone been fined for it ?
PS: I DONOT do lane-splitting when the traffic is moving. I do it only when there is a huge queue of cars that are not moving that quickly..
No, you are only allowed to split legal lanes of traffic. If there is only one traffic lane in your direction of travel (bicycle lanes do not count) you cannot legally lane split, even in California.
You also cannot lane split between traffic lanes and HOV lanes.
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Not sure on the legal aspect (I am in the UK), but this is something I personally have done in the past over here. However, I only ever do it for short distances (say I want to turn off at an exit ahead and would otherwise be sitting in traffic for ages) and if there are no bicycles to be seen.
Another thing to be VERY aware of is that people can open car doors unexpectedly to get out, or swerve in at you for the hell of it. Pedestrians can also wander out as they don’t ‘expect’ vehicles to be in the cycle lane. If you come off in these sorts of situation you may find that you will be in trouble. In this country I would be illegally ‘undertaking’ as we are not allowed to overtake on the left. If the police got involved it might lead to some sort of charge, and in terms of insurance you could well be stuffed!
Sometimes it’s better to be a bit late…
References :
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=veh&group=21001-22000&file=21200-21212
CVC 21209. (a) No person shall drive a motor vehicle in a bicycle lane established on a roadway pursuant to Section 21207 except as follows:
(1) To park where parking is permitted.
(2) To enter or leave the roadway.
(3) To prepare for a turn within a distance of 200 feet from the intersection.
References :
Jut make sure there isn’t a cop around when you do it an you will be fine. Oh and don’t kill yourself or anyone else in the process.
References :
No, you are only allowed to split legal lanes of traffic. If there is only one traffic lane in your direction of travel (bicycle lanes do not count) you cannot legally lane split, even in California.
You also cannot lane split between traffic lanes and HOV lanes.
References :
Madness takes its toll. Please have exact change.
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