New TX m/c law

[portero72]

I read in one of the m/c mags lately that TX has recently approved lanesplitting for motorcycles. I've been all over the tx DOT website and can't find any record of it. Any texans out there that can help me find the info? I'd love to print out the page so I can whip it out when the fuzz pull me over for it. thx

[Ken Talbot]

Re: New TX m/c law

Originally posted by portero72
.... so I can whip it out when the fuzz pull me over...

I'd be careful about that...

[Dragonrider]

Nope nope nope. Not approved.

Ride on, but don't split 'em.

[DiverRay]

Well, at least we have ONE good law in California they have not taken away.

[xs650mike]

Actually Ray there is no California law governing "lane sharing" as the CHP refers to it. That's why it's legal, it's not prohibited. Don't try it at more than 10 mph faster than the traffic or at more than 45 mph (your speed) or you'll likely be ticketed for reckless driving or some other catchall statute such as the basic speed law ("reasonable and proper"). CHP also wants you to only do it between "available lanes", in other words no riding along the shoulders or next to a dedicated turn only lane. I once asked a CHP cop and this is what he told me.

[MaximPhil]

Legal or not I do Not Approve of Lane Splitting.
I want all the space I am entitled too from the cars and give them all theirs. While you might fit through that gap, next time the car will not give motorcycles the room they deserve.
My 2 cents
Maxim Phil

[xs650mike]

Lane splitting is safer in stop and go traffic!

Originally posted by MaximPhil
Legal or not I do Not Approve of Lane Splitting.
I want all the space I am entitled too from the cars and give them all theirs. While you might fit through that gap, next time the car will not give motorcycles the room they deserve.
My 2 cents
Maxim Phil

I don't know if you've done much riding in stop-and-go freeway traffic but I have and the number of minor collisions is positively staggering. I'd rather be lane splitting than overheat my air-cooled engine or much worse be the meat in a bumper sandwich. Three of my friends have had this unpleasant experience. Two are paraplegic and the third is dead. If you can't or won't split lanes in stop and go traffic at least stop next to the lane marker so that stupid cager has somewhere to go besides through you. I split lanes because it's safer. Granted it takes some care and common sense but I've not had any mishaps and I've been splitting lanes regularly for well over 30 years, the latest time just yesterday. In California more and more drivers are becoming used to lane splitting motorcycles and are starting to watch their side mirrors more. Most will move over to let you through if they notice you. Keeping your high beam on in daylight helps when lane splitting and also helps keep cagers from turning left into your path when you're not.

[Pat Kelly]

I can see it on the freeway with an air-cooled bike. Newer water-cooled don't "need" to split lanes (but they do anyway).
Also, in town most bikes split lanes just for the sake of getting to the front of the line at red lights.

You can probably tell I don't split lanes, don't need to.

[dmac82]

I did a lot of lane splitting in SoCal, but I haven't been brave enough to do it much out here in Texas, maybe only when traffic is moving good and I have plenty of space for escape. Never really thought about if it was legal or not, just kept my eyes open for smokey and went for it.

[chevy45412001]

split

it is also alowable here in ill. but like said above it is only allowable in stop and go type traffic were an air cooled bike MIGHT have an overheating problem.I sit in that slop every day to work,though i have not split lanes yet i can tell my bike don't like an hour long idle in 95 degree weather! Maybe next year i;ll live ON THE EDGE!!!!

[xs650mike]

Re: split

Originally posted by chevy45412001
it is also alowable here in ill. but like said above it is only allowable in stop and go type traffic were an air cooled bike MIGHT have an overheating problem.I sit in that slop every day to work,though i have not split lanes yet i can tell my bike don't like an hour long idle in 95 degree weather! Maybe next year i;ll live ON THE EDGE!!!!

After that wait in traffic...when you get home open the filler and smell your oil. If it smells fried, change it. Your engine will last a lot longer. In the days before I started splitting lanes (before I knew it was legal) I used to shut my engine off while waiting for the traffic to move again. Of course then the cagers had to wait until I kick-started the bike (never had an electric start bike until the '80s) but I didn't much care since the traffic was going to stop again a short ways up the road. Let 'em honk was my motto.

[mro]

xs650mike

In California more and more drivers are becoming used to lane splitting motorcycles and are starting to watch their side mirrors more.

They sure are. Twice I've been pulling up behind stopped traffic and had a turkey see me coming and then move his car over to narrow the gap.

I don't split lanes, but will to prevent bike over heating.



mro

[xs650mike]

Originally posted by mro
xs650mike



They sure are. Twice I've been pulling up behind stopped traffic and had a turkey see me coming and then move his car over to narrow the gap.

I don't split lanes, but will to prevent bike over heating.



mro

Some of 'em do but it's fewer and fewer as time goes on.

In the late '80s I had a 30 mile each direction commute from Concord to Frisco each day. I was on the lower deck of the Bay Bridge on my way home, "lane sharing" as usual. I glanced in my mirror and noticed the bike behind me didn't have its headlight on so I took a second look and recognized the familiar silhouette of a Kawi 1000 Police bike. I stopped, turned my head and looked back. The CHP officer said, "You're doing fine, go ahead." I continued on with the CHiP in my wake until about a mile later I notice a cager ahead turn his wheels towards my path, I gassed it and squeezed through before he could cut me off but he did manage to cut off the cop. I glanced in my mirror and saw the cop's red lights come on. Then I heard his voice booming over his loudspeaker, "Pull over at the toll plaza!" I wore a big grin all the way home to Concord. Betcha that jerk thought twice before cutting off any more lane splitting riders. Cops are always lane splitting.

BTW, guess where I was when the 1989 earthquake happened?

[xj11john]

Correct me if I'm wrong.

I dont mean to sound naive, but by "lane splitting" do you mean

going between the traffic on the center line?? Or is it the

shoulder? or either?

[xj11john]

I found the answer to my question, and heres a interesting and entertaining link on the subject, these guys did a study on it, here is some of the things they learned.

1. Yes, they are trying to kill you.
2. They hardly ever sue for broken rear-view mirrors.
3. 'Accidently' obscure your license plate.
4. BMWs are really wide bikes.
5. Carry 10 #4 ball bearings (ask some old biker what to do with them).
6. Try to watch 10 cars ahead.
7. Use the lower gears to keep your bike in the power band.
8. Watch for motorcycle cops.
9. Have Fun!
10. Motorcycle mirrors get the best of a collision with a car mirror.
11. Try not to sneer at the cage-drivers as you pass, it annoys them.
12. Our survey goes to 11.

heres the link