Modern Vespa

Can you split lanes legally on a MP3 in Cali?

Yes!

AND it qualifies as a M/C for the high occupancy lanes & free tolls on bridges during commute hours, too!

The MP3 has the edge on all vehicles in this area.
1) Factory Emergency flasher.
2.1) Front 2 wheels. No slipping on the lane dots, or tracking in groves & seams.
2.2) Front 2 wheels. You can come to a complete stop with out putting your feet on the ground.
2.3) Front 2 wheels. It's just odd enough that people actually look at you. Look is good.
3) Automatic.

Scooters and Freeway riding (side track).
I got into this discussion with my pal's on the SoCal-Guzzi site about this.
Most of them can understand why I prefer to commute with an "underpowered" scooter.

Most just can't get over the fact that it's not a 60hp torque monster.
It's not.
Not intended to be. It's a scooter.
I appreciate the 60-75 MPG.
I appreciate the fact that I avoiding speeding tickets.
The afternoon commute from El Segundo to the San Fernando Valley is a guaranteed 45 min's of lane splitting.
I enjoy the position and stability as I weave around between the 1 & 2nd lane.

I split on 680 and on the Bay Bridge on my daily commute - just pay attention, control your speed and don't try and prove anything. You'll have a blast!

Hi guys,
Where I come from it is illegal to split lanes
So I was wondering: How can I try to change this, that is to change the view of the authorities so they would allow it? I have pretty good contact with people in the Driving-Instructors Association, and also in traffic legislation. What could I say to them to open their eyes and allow this here in my little island? I really need some good selling points...
Sorry don't mean to steal the thread, just thought it would be interesting to hear views from people that come from places where this is legal, and have the experience.
regards gonzo

I'm not sure if you would be able to.. I have heard rumors that lane splitting allowance dates back to when nearly all bikes were air cooled, allowing them to continue moving when traffic was stopped. If this is the case, it would be hard to use only the congestion argument for a water cooled bike..

~Drew

Drew thanks for your answer... is this the reason for why it's allowed in some places? I know that somewhere, like in Italy (I was there this summer) everyone does it. I asked someone if it was legal and he answered "No not really, but this is Italy!" then he grinned. He said that this had been for such a long time in their traffic-culture that the police turned a blind eye.

But I'm sure someone out there has good points to sell the idea....

For instance what do you say about these?
- If this would be allowed, of course scooterists have to do it in a considerate way towards drivers.
- Scooters/motorcycles accelerate faster from zero than cars, so they would not be in the way, on the contrary.
- It helps traffic move along since the scooters/motorcycles don't take up spaces in the cue because they go to the front.
- It's a safety thing for the scooterists because it can be dangerous to be so unprotected in between two cars (danger of being rammed from behind etc.).
- It helps minimizing traffic cues...

I don't know...are these points valid? Any views on this or more tips?

And also, since I do not have any experience in lane-splintting, what tips do you have for me as a scooterist, i.e. safety tips, if I decide to brake our law when no one sees...

Those are all valid points. Be very careful when one lane is moving and the one next to it is not! Blind cagers suddenly swerve from the non-moving lane to the moving one without looking. I have been knocked off twice that way. Both times it was on a 800 pound Harley with 6 lights on the front. 3 white and 3 amber. They told the cops they "couldn't see" me.

Filtering (lane splitting) is legal in the UK - it is just another form of overtaking. You do have to keep your eyes skinned though for numpty cagers...

It didn't used to be mentioned as such in our Highway Code, but the new edition due out tomorrow does mention it once, item 88:

http://www.dsa.gov.uk/Documents/consult/Responses/Highway_Code_Draft.pdf

And here's a good guide to filtering as seen through UK eyes:

http://www.motorcycle-training.f2s.com/filtering.html

Thanks a lot jimc, this is very helpful

The best reasoning these days in favour of filtering (lane splitting) is the environmental one - very topical these days.

If your local governments ever introduce congestion charging for some roads, make sure PTWs (Powered Two Wheelers, including MP3s etc!) are exempt, as they are in London UK.

Thanks jimc, those are points I'm going to stress, that is the environmental ones, traffic etc.

Cheers,

You may not get the positive response you hope for - but keep plugging away. Is there a US or for your own State an equivalent of the UK MAG (Motorcycle Action Group) or BMF (British Motorcyclists Federation)? These are very effective behind the scenes at political lobbying.

Well the size of my country helps me a lot, because I can go and talk straight to the people that have with traffic legislation to do. Icelandic people are only 300.000 and if you have a strong enough drive for something, you can actually meet with the people that can change it and at least have a go at them...