HWY Shoulder Legal Question

[Colorado S14]

I have ridden the shoulder once and it was because we got stuck in traffic on 25 southbound and a couple of the bikes were overheating. I was the first rider in the line and we were doing maybe 15-20mph with traffic at a standstill we did have one dipshit somewhat pull into the shoulder to try to stop us. I agree with what has been said on here about how Americans are lunatics when it comes to "cutting in line," when I was in Europe no one cared that bikes passed on the shoulder or split a lane.

[FZRguy]

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- A single complaint from a Sacramento man has forced the California Highway Patrol and other state government agencies to remove information from their websites that was intended to help motorcyclists safely execute the allowed lane-splitting maneuver.

Kenneth Mandler, a longtime state employee who now conducts training sessions on how to get a state job, petitioned the California Office of Administrative Law in 2013, claiming the CHP created an "underground regulation" by formulating and distributing guidelines for safe lane splitting.

Lane splitting, also called lane filtering, is the practice of riding a motorcycle or scooter between lanes of stopped or slowly moving traffic. The practice has been permitted in California for decades and no statute prohibits it. No other state allows the maneuver.

The CHP posted its guidelines with the intention of helping motorcyclists and motorists understand safe practices and to discourage unsafe lane splitting.

"Some have interpreted the recently published Motorcycle Lane Splitting Guidelines as rules, laws or regulations that could or would be enforced by the department," according to a CHP statement. "The guidelines were never intended for this purpose and were prepared simply as common sense traffic safety tips and to raise public awareness."

The Office of Administrative Law sided with Mandler, noting that CHP Commissioner J. A. Farrow certified that his department would not "issue, use, enforce, or attempt to enforce the public education information." The OAL determined that posting the guidelines on the website was "issuing" them.

"By forcing the California Highway Patrol to remove its guidelines, Mr. Mandler and the Office of Administrative Law are denying the public vital safety information," said Nick Haris, AMA western states representative and a member of the California Motorcyclist Safety Program Advisory Committee, which helped write the guidelines.

"Lane splitting is still allowed, and motorcyclists are still using this long-recognized riding technique to relieve traffic congestion and improve safety," Haris said. "But now, neither riders nor motorists have a place to turn for authoritative guidelines on the practice."

The AMA supports the continued use of safe lane splitting in California and the implementation of lane-splitting laws in other states, coupled with extensive rider and driver education programs.

The AMA position statement reads, in part: "Reducing a motorcyclist's exposure to vehicles that are frequently accelerating and decelerating on congested roadways can be one way to reduce front- and rear-end collisions for those most vulnerable in traffic."

Denny Kobza, of the Bay Area Riders' Forum and a member of the California Motorcyclist Safety Program Advisory Committee, said he was extremely disappointed that the CHP was forced to take down the guidelines.

"It is very disturbing that one person can affect three years of hard work," Kobza said. "We put a lot of hard work into those guidelines, because lane splitting is a safer way to go than waiting for a motorist to make a mistake."

Kobza said he has full faith in the California Highway Patrol's continued advocacy for motorcycle safety, and he hopes the guidelines can be reposted to state government websites soon.

The complete AMA lane splitting position statement is available here: http://americanmotorcyclist.com/Rights/PositionStatements/LaneSplitting.aspx.

The deleted CHP guidelines can still be downloaded here: http://americanmotorcyclist.com/Libr...?download=true.

[UHATEIT]

Whether its legal or not I just cruised the shoulder for around 10 miles on the 70 on Saturday coming back from Squaw Pass/Idaho Springs. It was backed up all the way from the top of Floyd hill down to the 470. Reason why... a giat group of Ruff Ryders was pulled over by the cops. There were 4 cop cars there including 2 parked the opposite direction on the damn 70. The Freeway was down from 4 lanes to 2. I dont know if there was an accident or not or if the cops were just pulling over a whole group of bikers to give them a hard time. But I couldnt stand waiting in the line as it was raining too so cruising the shoulder at 20-25 got me through it it maybe 5 minutes or so.

[teamextreme]

the 70

Someone's from CA.

[UHATEIT]

Someone's from CA.

hahahahaha I get that all the time. Yes I'm from CA. Born and raise for 26 years, moved here 4 years ago. I get shit from my local coworkers when I say the 70, the 25, the 225, the 270.

[Slo]

hahahahaha I get that all the time. Yes I'm from CA. Born and raise for 26 years, moved here 4 years ago. I get shit from my local coworkers when I say the 70, the 25, the 225, the 270.

How long did it take you to stop calling them freeways and change to highways? Took me a while haha.

[UHATEIT]

How long did it take you to stop calling them freeways and change to highways? Took me a while haha.

I still call then freeways!

[Ted]

I got a 4 point ticket in June 2012 for "passing on the right" on Foothills in Boulder on my gixxer. To those familiar with foothills parkway in Boulder, I had just made a left turn from Colorado Ave onto Foothills around 8:45am and the traffic was backed up with no cars moving. Right turn on Arapahoe was going to be my next turn, so I got on the should and rode at about 10 mph. There happen to be a Boulder PD officer on duty stuck in traffic as well and he certainly didn't fancy what I was doing...so he pulled me over.... and the result was a 4 point ticket for passing on the right. ..... so depending on who pulls you over, a citation could be issued.

I think all of foothills parkway is a state highway....don't remember...could be wrong....

[packman5280]

I got a 4 point ticket in June 2012 for "passing on the right" on Foothills in Boulder on my gixxer. To those familiar with foothills parkway in Boulder, I had just made a left turn from Colorado Ave onto Foothills around 8:45am and the traffic was backed up with no cars moving. Right turn on Arapahoe was going to be my next turn, so I got on the should and rode at about 10 mph. There happen to be a Boulder PD officer on duty stuck in traffic as well and he certainly didn't fancy what I was doing...so he pulled me over.... and the result was a 4 point ticket for passing on the right. ..... so depending on who pulls you over, a citation could be issued.

I think all of foothills parkway is a state highway....don't remember...could be wrong....

got the exact same ticket back when i lived in boulder, actually it was when i was moving out, last trip, truck packed leaving town. awesome going away present.

[#1Townie]

Or maybe you shouldn't make assumptions. okay.. Rookie. My very first day riding was a ride around tahoe. Cali side we split. Very first time. Cars started swerving at us and running us onto the dirt.

I have more then anough experience to make my comments. The shit creates a level of anger with drivers that is amazing. And its not the guy doing it respectfully. Its the 20 tards in front of him that pissed that one person off who decides fuck it. All to save you 15 min. Its just not worth it.


PS don't talk to about cali traffic until you have driven a semi in Friday rush hour in LA.

[07D675CO]

Or maybe you shouldn't make assumptions. okay.. Rookie. My very first day riding was a ride around tahoe. Cali side we split. Very first time. Cars started swerving at us and running us onto the dirt.

I have more then anough experience to make my comments. The shit creates a level of anger with drivers that is amazing. And its not the guy doing it respectfully. Its the 20 tards in front of him that pissed that one person off who decides fuck it. All to save you 15 min. Its just not worth it.


PS don't talk to about cali traffic until you have driven a semi in Friday rush hour in LA.

Clearly you need some reading comprehension lessons. I said it only applies if you haven't done it for a long period of time. If that applies it applies. I in years never had any issues with it and never saw anyone else have issues with it. My guess is you were doing it wrong. But that is just a hunch. Driving a truck has nothing to do with anything in this discussion, so cool story bro.

[#1Townie]

Clearly you need some reading comprehension lessons. I said it only applies if you haven't done it for a long period of time. If that applies it applies. I in years never had any issues with it and never saw anyone else have issues with it. My guess is you were doing it wrong. But that is just a hunch. Driving a truck has nothing to do with anything in this discussion, so cool story bro.

No clearly you were implying I didn't have the experience. You were just the passive aggressive way of doing. I was picking up what you were trying to put down but I'm on to people like you. You want to say something but you try to word it just right so when you get called out on it you can be like you need to go reread because I never said that.


Fuck that pussy bullshit. Say what you want and put your foot in your mouth. Its okay it happens all the time to everyone. At least you won't be looked at as a coward for getting caught kind of saying something and hiding behind the "you're dumb" argument.

Be a man dude.

[usmcab35]

Or maybe you shouldn't make assumptions. okay.. Rookie. My very first day riding was a ride around tahoe. Cali side we split. Very first time. Cars started swerving at us and running us onto the dirt.

I have more then anough experience to make my comments. The shit creates a level of anger with drivers that is amazing. And its not the guy doing it respectfully. Its the 20 tards in front of him that pissed that one person off who decides fuck it. All to save you 15 min. Its just not worth it.


PS don't talk to about cali traffic until you have driven a semi in Friday rush hour in LA.

oh I can talk I guess haha, ive driven a semi all over SoCal and used to commute on a bike when I was in the marines there. I see its goods and bads, personally I think it should only be used when traffic is at a near standstill like under 15mph, it makes it far easier as a rider to navigate the tight confines between cars. However I think its dumb to lane split at freeway speeds, for what really? most cali freeways are 4+ lanes, its to easy to just chose another lane and get by. I agree with others that while I find it nice during rush hour, Im almost positive a squid would do something dumb and get it taken away pretty quick.

[07D675CO]

oh I can talk I guess haha, ive driven a semi all over SoCal and used to commute on a bike when I was in the marines there. I see its goods and bads, personally I think it should only be used when traffic is at a near standstill like under 15mph, it makes it far easier as a rider to navigate the tight confines between cars. However I think its dumb to lane split at freeway speeds, for what really? most cali freeways are 4+ lanes, its to easy to just chose another lane and get by. I agree with others that while I find it nice during rush hour, Im almost positive a squid would do something dumb and get it taken away pretty quick.

Squids do stupid things on bikes already, they haven't been taken away. If squids can ride around without a helmet I don't see how riding in between vehicles not moving is nearly as dangerous as that. I would trade the stupid no helmet law for one making lane splitting legal in a split second.

I never really did it if traffic was moving, but at rush hour on Business 80 traffic doesn't move. Super easy to do 15mph through all the cars that are parked on the freeway.

[UHATEIT]

Squids do stupid things on bikes already, they haven't been taken away. If squids can ride around without a helmet I don't see how riding in between vehicles not moving is nearly as dangerous as that. I would trade the stupid no helmet law for one making lane splitting legal in a split second.

I never really did it if traffic was moving, but at rush hour on Business 80 traffic doesn't move. Super easy to do 15mph through all the cars that are parked on the freeway.

Agree with your last comment. I would rather have CO be a helmet law state and a lane splitting allowed state. I would never ride without a helmet so I could care less about having the freedom in CO to go helmetless, but would love the option to do shoulder riding or lane splitting. I have already partaken in riding the shoulder on 70 and 225 and came close this last weekend to doing it on the 25. I don't see that as a problem riding the shoulder since the damn shoulders here in CO are so wide. In CA there is almost nonexistent shoulders because most freeways have had to be streteched so wide to incorporate as many lanes as possible in congested areas. I don't know if I would feel comfortable even lane splitting at all, but shoulder riding I could do for sure.

[#1Townie]

Wait did you just day in rush hour traffic doesn't move on 80? Blaaahahahaha. LIE!!!!

[#1Townie]

oh I can talk I guess haha, ive driven a semi all over SoCal and used to commute on a bike when I was in the marines there. I see its goods and bads, personally I think it should only be used when traffic is at a near standstill like under 15mph, it makes it far easier as a rider to navigate the tight confines between cars. However I think its dumb to lane split at freeway speeds, for what really? most cali freeways are 4+ lanes, its to easy to just chose another lane and get by. I agree with others that while I find it nice during rush hour, Im almost positive a squid would do something dumb and get it taken away pretty quick.

I was more being a smartass with someone who thinks they are the only person who has experience with Cali roads. Lol

[UHATEIT]

I'm not trying to be rude Townie but you are getting very worked up and reading too far into what he said. I don't see him being rude or calling you out on anything. I am from California as well and dont take any offense to anything even if it is directed to say no one else in the thread has California driving experience but I didn't read it as that's what he was doing. Maybe I'm not reading enough into it to try and find something negative in what he says.

[#1Townie]

I'm not trying to be rude Townie but you are getting very worked up and reading too far into what he said. I don't see him being rude or calling you out on anything. I am from California as well and dont take any offense to anything even if it is directed to say no one else in the thread has California driving experience but I didn't read it as that's what he was doing. Maybe I'm not reading enough into it to try and find something negative in what he says.

No no no. I've watched for years how people will carefully word things so to say something but not say it. Its what he was doing. Its why I pulled the fifty questions on him.

Just wanted to get the door open enough to slam him with it.

[07D675CO]

No no no. I've watched for years how people will carefully word things so to say something but not say it. Its what he was doing. Its why I pulled the fifty questions on him.

Just wanted to get the door open enough to slam him with it.

I don't think the world revolves around you like you seem to think so I made a general statement. I don't happen to know everyones riding background so instead of calling specific people out I said what I said. You got butthurt because you thought it applied to you. Hence my first sentence in this post. I rode I80 and B80 back and forth to work for years and lane splitting cut my commute each way from an hour down to about 15-20 mins. That is significant. My whole point of my post was people that haven't done it don't understand it and shouldn't be trying to keep experienced people from doing it. You appear to be one of those. It is safe if done correctly. The argument that squids will do it wrong and in a stupid manner could apply to all riding so based on that argument I guess we should just not allow people to ride at all. Problem solved. You as a rider should be on the side of riders not against them. I question your loyalties.

[#1Townie]

I don't think the world revolves around you like you seem to think so I made a general statement. I don't happen to know everyones riding background so instead of calling specific people out I said what I said. You got butthurt because you thought it applied to you. Hence my first sentence in this post. I rode I80 and B80 back and forth to work for years and lane splitting cut my commute each way from an hour down to about 15-20 mins. That is significant. My whole point of my post was people that haven't done it don't understand it and shouldn't be trying to keep experienced people from doing it. You appear to be one of those. It is safe if done correctly. The argument that squids will do it wrong and in a stupid manner could apply to all riding so based on that argument I guess we should just not allow people to ride at all. Problem solved. You as a rider should be on the side of riders not against them. I question your loyalties.

My loyalties? Blaaahahahaha. And butthurt? You're a little too new to know anything. You got baited and called out on it. First off stop making things sound worse.

You may have traveled 80 a few times but your idea that it comes to this screeching vault is laughable. In Berkeley it gets backed up a bit for a min but nothing major.

My loyalties.... Blaaahahaha. To who? You?? Random fuck bags that ride around in shorts and tank tops? Blaaahahaha. Yeah no.

[Drano]

My whole point of my post was people that haven't done it don't understand it and shouldn't be trying to keep experienced people from doing it.

In contrast, some of us have been riding in Colorado for many years, and some, like myself, for less than a few. I can bet the odds are pretty high that most of us can recount an instance where drivers have gone out of their way to be more than a mere nuisance to us. I've had vehicles swerve at me while trying to pass them, and I was in a completely different lane. I wouldn't even dare count the number of times I've dealt with distracted drivers, and that problem continues to worsen. I've had cops called on me for passing a line of traffic in a legal, and safe, place to do so. Others here have had drivers try to chase/run them down. So I have a hard time believing lane-splitting in CO would be any safer than the existing nonsense we already have to deal with and would be hesitant to support any current initiative to legalize it. Frankly, there are greater safety concerns (like helmet laws) that deserve more attention.

[07D675CO]

Interesting reading about Lane Splitting in CA.

http://www.ots.ca.gov/pdf/Publicatio...tingReport.pdf

“What we learned is, if you lane-split in a safe or prudent manner, it is no more dangerous than motorcycling in any other circumstance,” Office of Traffic Safety spokesman Chris Cochran said. “If you are speeding or have a wide speed differential (with other traffic), that is where the fatalities came about.”

Which is exactly what I said.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/tra...#storylink=cpy

[Aaron]

Townie is right there would definitely be those issues. I'm not afraid to admit in heavy traffic I have been know to safely split lanes. I do it safely and courteously, but I'm a California kid, that's where I grew up, so that's how I ride. I haven't had any problems with rage, but mostly that's because by the time someone sees me and gets pissed, I'm already a few car lengths ahead and there's nothing they can do.

CA is more progressive, and they actually base things on study results. A good example is cop car lighting. Notice how every year CSP puts more lights on their cars and make them flash faster and crazier? The new Chargers gave 2 full lightbars out back! Anyways, California has determined that the most effective lighting to the rear uses a single light bar, with only blue/yellow lights, that flash very slowly if even at all.