Brothers Unite! Please help us in Oregon to support the bill for lane splitting.
49 comments · 96% upvoted · source · other discussions
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obious [OP]
das_superbus
Just got lane-splitting legalized this month in my state. I tell you, it feels so good lane splitting 300m worth of traffic and getting a nod from a police biker coming the otherway.
RaveDigger
Which state legalized lane splitting recently? Is it Texas because I'm going on a road trip through Texas in March and that would be great news.
TheGodDamnDevil
Not an American state. Queensland, Australia legalized lane-splitting this month.
illallangi
ACT and New South Wales is trialling it at the moment - loving it! Have you had any issues with cagers while splitting? I feel it hasn't been advertised enough.
FortunateSon101
I'd like to know also. I'm in Texas and while it is being talked about, AFAIK nothing's happened with it yet.
Renigami
Last I looked a bill is in the Texas congress to allow such.
HB 813 and SB 442 is the ones to look forward to be passed.
A search pulled up a recent news story that this is being relooked at (and to be an act come this September).
http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2015/02/11/texas-bill-would-allow-motorcyclists-to-lane-split/
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Search/DocViewer.aspx?ID=84RHB008131B&QueryText="lane"&DocType=B
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Search/DocViewer.aspx?ID=84RSB004421B&QueryText="lane"&DocType=B
projektdotnet
Considering das_superbus uses the metric system, I imagine they're not in the US (I could be wrong).
das_superbus
Haha, no sorry. Queensland, Australia.
[deleted]
In SoCal and Europe it has happened kind of by circumstance, I wish you guys the best but with limited urban area in OR this would be a major coup.
kmsilent
Interesting and probably smart in the manner it's implemented:
(2) A motorcycle operator or moped operator does not commit the offense of motorcycle or moped unlawful passing in a lane with a vehicle if at the time the conduct described in subsection (1) of this section occurs: (a) Traffic is stopped or has slowed to a speed of less than 25 miles per hour; and (b) The motorcycle operator or moped operator is traveling at a speed of 35 miles per hour or less.
projektdotnet
The WA state bill has the same restrictions, also ours states that we're not allowed to go more than 10 MPH faster than surrounding traffic so if traffic is going 5 MPH we can go 15 MPH (assuming the bill passes).
MAXPOWER206
Last week, a guy lane splitt'd his way up the stop-and-go 405 S to I-5 S merge during after work rush hour. My thoughts were "that's illegal, but it's okay. I wouldn't trust the car drivers though."
I'd vote for it, but I don't have a lot of confidence in our OR drivers. :-/
rarely_clever
OR drivers aren't special. They're not. They're not worse than any other drivers.
throwaway6315
Women ride too, you know.
obious [OP]
Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that I was leaving out the brotheretts.
stevenfrijoles
I think we just started calling them "sisters" now
whatadirtbag
Very true.
However, nobody likes pedantry :)
Edit: I replied to the wrong comment. whatever.
[deleted]
I didnt know that lane splitting was gender specific
throwaway6315
It isn't, which is why brothers is wrong. Should've been brothers and sisters.
iThinkergoiMac
"Wrong" is a bit of a strong word to use, as it could imply a moral judgement. It may have been technically incorrect, but OP already specified he wasn't intending to exclude anyone.
There's being gender-inclusive and then there's slang/casual speech. For example, trying to get a group's attention by yelling "Hey guys!" shouldn't be taken as a slight to the women of the group (unless the group is primarily women). So far as I know, men still make up the majority of motorcyclists, so it seems this is the same kind of situation.
throwaway6315
Technically incorrect, the worst kind of incorrect. :)
So far as I know, saying "hey guys" is pretty damned gender neutral. It's used by pretty much anyone to address a group, whether that group is mixed gender or not. I've seen it used to address groups of primarily women by other women.
The word brothers is not in any way gender neutral. Whether he meant to exclude anyone in his salutation is a moot point, he did exclude people.
When we're on a male dominated medium talking about a male dominated activity we have to be vigilant in our attempt to not be exclusive, unless we want to dissuade females from participating. I don't know about you, but I want to see more riders, of all types.
iThinkergoiMac
I would love to see more riders of all genders as well. If my wife would get into riding it would be the coolest thing ever.
"Hey guys" is only gender neutral because you think it's gender neutral. The word "guy" is very specifically masculine in connotation and meaning. This illustrates my point. You might say that to a group and someone may point out that it's not very gender inclusive. Your response might be the same as mine and their response would be the same as the one you just gave me.
It's good to be inclusive, I don't disagree, but only someone with zero context or quick to take offense would consider the title specifically exclusive. "Brother" is often used in motorcycle culture to refer to other riders. It stems from the fact that motorcyclists have long been, and still are, primarily men, but it isn't generally meant to be exclusionary. Is it worth it to point that out to a group of people you've never interacted with before (this is your only set of comments here)? It's such a small point.
ramma314
I wrote one of the sponsors of one of the previously submitted lane splitting bills. He's no longer a representative, and couldn't really answer my question of why it didn't get further (besides lack of understanding of the benefits to motorcyclists).
Still, the fact we've had two bills submitted recently leads me to believe something will happen in the not to distant future. More people pushing for it will just increase the rate at which it happens.
Making something like a change.org petition actually isn't a terrible idea either.
[deleted]
I believe in a future where one can lanesplit all the way from Mexico to the Canadian border. Split the west!
openedupacanofcorn
fingers crossed, the one in texas is working its way through as well
gnique
I sent this to my senator. I will send the same one to my representative after some suggestions and input from other riders. Let me know how it can be written better.
The four motorcycles are: 2008 ZX14, 2009 Concours, 2009 Ninja 650 and 2015 BMW S1000R.
Dear Senator Winters:
I am an avid motorcyclist. I have been riding motorcycles since 1964 and I have never had a moving accident on a motorcycle. I have taken and passed both the Basic Riders Course and the Intermediate Riders Course given by Team Oregon. I have four motorcycles in my garage. I ride about 10,000 miles a year. I am very much in favor of SB 420 that is sponsored by Senator Jeff Kraus. As one of your loyal constituents, I thought that you would be interested in my opinion in this matter.
Yours respectfully,
My Name, PE
Acurtin75
As a rider in Alaska I wish this would pass. I do it anyways, traffic here is crazy at 5pm.
NikkoTheGreeko
Is that when the mooses commute?
Acurtin75
Sometimes actually haha, you'll see them in the city just eating a bush or walking through. Weird animals.
NikkoTheGreeko
Is it mooses or meese?
[edit] it's Meese, capitalized.
BlueR1
redditagainsam
This was from last time they tried this. http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TD/TP_RES/docs/reports/2010/motorcycle_lane_sharing.pdf
Good info to pass around to help education In addition to the new UC Berkeley study. http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-lane-splitting-study-20141022-story.html
Email your representative with this info! https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/FindYourLegislator/leg-districts.html
Quiznasty
Does anyone know what the result of the bill in Washington was? I know they had a hearing for the senate bill in committee but then I never heard anything after that.
[deleted]
[deleted]
Quiznasty
I had looked at these, but no new updates in over three weeks now. I'm assuming they just died?
projektdotnet
There was a hearing on the Senate Bill but no progress since then, there hasn't been an initial hearing in the House of Representatives yet.
Edit: hearing, not reading. Edit 2: There was a link posted about the hearing in /r/pnwriders
Oregonians, please write your state representatives in support of this bill.
Non-Oregonians, please write our state representatives in support of this bill.
apexian 8 points · Feb 2015 · 2010 Kawi Concours 1400GTR, Los Angeles
As a Californian that occasionally rides through and spends money in Oregon, I'd definitely write a letter. Are there any reps in particular who are known to be on the fence and potentially persuadable? I'd rather write to one of them than wasting effort on someone who is already decided against or decided in favor. TIA!
obious [OP] 3 points · Feb 2015 · S1000RR | R1
That's a good question. The bill is currently in a senate committee of which the sponsor, Kruse, is a member.
I was planning to write the Committee Chair Prozanski and Kruse to give a showing of public support, but I can't answer your question directly. I don't know who the biggest impact contact person would be.
Edit: I've sent Senator Kruse a mail requesting he drop by this thread for a few minutes. Maybe, just maybe, he will come by to answer a few questions.
Davtorious 1 points · Feb 2015 · street triple
Done! Thanks for posting this. I'm in PDX, emailed my reps and also Sen Prozanski (thanks for that link).