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Lane splitting petition in Texas. Sign it!!!!

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Wasn't this posted here a while back?
Maybe it was another one.
Signed in anyway.
While I personally probably won't do it (at least for a few years till people get used to the idea of bikes riding by them), I do see the benefit of it for those that want to.
 
I signed it, I don't completely agree with lane splitting but I will ride up a few cars when the interstate comes to a fault so I am not the bumper between stopped traffic and the cell phone guy coming in hot. I also will do it to get into some shade of a semi. If it's to hot I just jump the bar ditch and hit the frontage road. I would rather risk a ticket then over heat (myself and the bike ) sitting still.
 
Things like this and up such a clash between my personal opinions and my work experiences. Hope it goes as smoothly an Open Carry did.
 
signed, when i was stationed in commiefornia back in the day I commuted 40 miles one way to NAS Alameda on a '72 Ironhead sportster, thank goodness for lane splitting, It saved me a good bit of sitting in traffic.
 
Any downsides to lane splitting?

Other than the potential of car drivers unfamiliar with the legality of it and getting grumpy?
 
The only downside I see is squids lane splitting at 40 & 50mph faster than the moving traffic and the subsequent accidents!! Cant really blame the car driver for not expecting a motorcycle to be going so much faster than them!! If used reasonably I think lane splitting is a good thing, the key word is reasonably!!

Gary
 
I lived in Germany for three years and traveled to nearly all western European countries where lane splitting is "allowed" on multilane between cars traveling the same direction and between on coming cars on a two lane road. If there is a collision while lane splitting it is less severe than being rear ended as it would usually be a glancing blow vs. a direct hit from behind. Until cars get used to it, it is vital that it is done with caution and not French style. In France they split lanes in stop and go traffic jams at approximately 70mph. If performed with caution lane splitting is safer for motorcyclists and reduces congestion by removing us from the congestion. It will be a little dangerous at first as motorists will not realize that once legalized they will face charges for intentionally hindering a motorcyclist filtering through traffic. The California Patrol had to issue public statements warning motorists that they will be charged if caught hindering a motorcyclist legally filtering through traffic.

It is the common non motorcyclist attitude of "oh no you are not getting in front of me" attitude that we must first overcome to first get this legislation passed and then do this safely.
 
A lane-splitting bill of some kind gets introduced in every session of the Texas Legislature. It has been going on for 10 or 15 years that I know of, and the bill always gets referred to committee where it dies. It would be great to finally see this pass. Lane-splitting is one of my favorite things about riding in California every year and adds so much in the way of convenience and safety. It's time for Texas to finally get this done, like so many other parts of the world where it has been long since proven beneficial.
 
Signed. Now visit http://makespaceformotorcycles.com and order some stickers for your ride (2.5"x3.25").

229781
 
Drunk_Uncle said:
I lived in Germany for three years and traveled to nearly all western European countries where lane splitting is "allowed" on multilane between cars traveling the same direction and between on coming cars on a two lane road. If there is a collision while lane splitting it is less severe than being rear ended as it would usually be a glancing blow vs. a direct hit from behind. Until cars get used to it, it is vital that it is done with caution and not French style. In France they split lanes in stop and go traffic jams at approximately 70mph. If performed with caution lane splitting is safer for motorcyclists and reduces congestion by removing us from the congestion. It will be a little dangerous at first as motorists will not realize that once legalized they will face charges for intentionally hindering a motorcyclist filtering through traffic. The California Patrol had to issue public statements warning motorists that they will be charged if caught hindering a motorcyclist legally filtering through traffic.

It is the common non motorcyclist attitude of "oh no you are not getting in front of me" attitude that we must first overcome to first get this legislation passed and then do this safely.
Click to expand...

Exactly! It's going to take some folks getting knocked to the ground and possibly killed before this attitude of many Texans is eliminated.
 
The attitude of other drivers is what I was referring to.
At this point, it irks me when bikes filter, because it is illegal, giving bikers a bad image. I have seen bikes doing it and cars purposefully moving in front of them and blocking the bike.
It will take a huge ad campaign over several years to get people aware if it is passed.
If bikes and cars both understand what it is, how to do it safely, and that it is a benefit for both, then it can work. As said, in Europe it has been working fine for years. Cali has had the grey area for it for years and finally actually made it truly legal. Results so far has been good.
 
Jim Bronson was lane-splitting way back in 1969 California. Check the intro to "Then Came Bronson," and the traffic light conversation (ala "Hang In There"). Point being, it is an old procedure in that state, and in others. As long as the rider takes advantage of the "pole position" and egresses the stop light in quick fashion.... what's the harm?

Lane-splitting at 80 mph on the interstate is another case, however.
 
blupupher said:
...
At this point, it irks me when bikes filter, because it is illegal, giving bikers a bad image. I have seen bikes doing it and cars purposefully moving in front of them and blocking the bike...
Click to expand...

Why is it any different then illegal speeding? Do cars move into the left "passing only" lane to imped those speeders trying getting ahead of them? (actually some do, just not intentionally).

Sent from my SM-G860P using Tapatalk
 
SilverBullet said:
Why is it any different then illegal speeding? Do cars move into the left "passing only" lane to imped those speeders trying getting ahead of them? (actually some do, just not intentionally).
Click to expand...
Well, that irks me also.
And I do see people riding in the left lane going slower that other traffic all the time.

Lots of stuff irks me though. :wary:
 
blupupher said:
Well, that irks me also.
And I do see people riding in the left lane going slower that other traffic all the time.

Lots of stuff irks me though. :wary:
Click to expand...
Slow left lane traffic is something I have had to get used to I'm Texas, New Mexico state police never put up with that at least when I was younger. Left was for passing, not regular driving. Police have relaxed a lot it seems over the years, probably just picking the battles they really want to fight. Regardless, we still need a little more traffic enforcement specifically speeding. That really irks me..
 
This is the attitude that gets my blood boiling....

I know there was wrong on both sides etc. but the fact remains that there are some drivers who believe that they have the right to be the 'social conscience/instant enforcement' if they don't like something they see on the road. This is especially true against motorcyclists, perhaps because they are perceived as arrogant/privileged by some or maybe because of the perceived safety of a steel cage/car. I have seen several other folks on the road lately who seem to feel they have the 'right' to do such things, if someone offends their sense of 'right & wrong' on the road. Lane splitting, even if it's legal, is not likely to change this kind of behavior in these people.
If there is not a VERY BIG ad campaign and supporting information (maybe even in the driving test) that goes with the law change, I don't know if I will choose to do it.

For those who don't know, this event happened in 2015, Hood County, Texas, (near Granbury) the driver went on to be convicted and sentenced to 15yrs for Aggravated Assault. He claimed a spider bit him in the crotch as the reason he swerved. (fail)
According to the rider he was travelling @35mph in a 60 zone, the riders ticket was dismissed because of this. (Minimum speed in a 60 is 45mph)
The nutjob driver has previous convictions for domestic assault; felony assault; unauthorized use of vehicle; assaulting police; reckless driving and making terroristic threats as well. His criminal record spans 40 yrs.

As someone with far too much time on my hands, I was reading the comments below the video which shows a very chilling thing. LOTS of folks commented that the 'biker deserved it'; 'biker at fault' & 'bikers are scum anyway who cares' & similar things. That people will come out and say these things is horrible, it also means there are likely to be just as many more who feel the same but wouldn't say it publicly; that's a lot of really jacked up people out there.
Keep your head on a swivel folks, the asylums are all closed and the inmates are roaming free. :wary::wary::wary: :shooter::hack:
 
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Kiwi I did have the advantage of following this incident closely because my parents live in Granbury. But, I had no idea that dude’s record was that bad.

And yes those comments were chilling. I even had a problem Specialist (Army tank) that said motorcyclists need to stop thinking they are special and wait like the rest of us. Can’t fix stupid. He said he would the same thing.
 
I see, hear and handle Road Rage situations A LOT. People are so worked up from being in bumper to bumper traffic, day in and day out that they will do irrational and emotional things when they feel they are "wronged" on the roadway. They do this to each other in vehicles. The motorcyclist involved in collisions with vehicles have not faired well in the incidents I've handled, the majority being fatal. If lane splitting is legalized I'm afraid the number of fatalities will increase, not due to riders, but due to drivers intentionally wrecking motorcycles. I won't hold riders back from making legislative gains though.

Driver education is a huge must if riders are to stand a chance at safely exercising their legal riding rights. Remember how big of a push was it to get people to understand motorcycles should have their own lanes on the road? Lane splittng would have to be another step in that direction. American culture is not made to recognize motorcycles as a mainstream means of transportation. It's not like it is in Japan, EU or India where there you see grandmas, grandpas and farmers riding their 50cc scooters to run their errands. I agree with the idea of a widespread education campaign to educate drivers of how to treat motorcycles on the roads, especially with a change of law.

That Granbury video makes me so mad every time I see it. That is exactly the image I have in my mind of what drivers will do to riders who try to lane split if it comes legal. The attitude of that guy is exactly the attitude I imagine all drivers have - "I don't care!". The level of charge for intentional crimes like that should be severe.
 
Lived in kalifornicare used to lane split. Dangerous, last time i was out there almost hit a mc cop who was splitting on the 210. I quit doing it after dme idiot opend a car door on me. Lucky that day missed it
 
There is a radio host, Michael Berry, here in Houston on a local AM station. I am sure there are some who follow him on this site. I happened to be listening to that station one day when he went on a rant about motorcycles. Apparently, something had happened that day on his commute into the radio station that involved a motorcycle. His opinion, that day anyway, was that there is NO PLACE on the streets for motorcycles. They are loud, obnoxious and the riders are a danger to the driving public. He felt motorcycles should be outlawed and kept from mingling with those who drove 4 wheeled vehicles on the public road system. It's bad enough when you have individuals who feel motorcyclists are fair game, but when you start getting the media involved in the frenzy, it raises my concern to a higher level.

I do support lane splitting as it gives me more legal options for avoiding potential problems. But I certainly do understand the anger it may create with those who don't ride and believe it to be "unfair". A sentiment that seems to permeate driving in general.
 
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